PhD Candidate in Chemistry, Mass Spectrometry, Fundamentals of Pesticides/herbicides Sydney Australia

Predicting the molecular structure and interactions of globally significant pesticides

We are reliant on pesticides to meet the global demand for food staples to sustain our lives and health. However, agrochemicals needed to prevent famine can also have the potential to adversely impact our health and environment. Despite the sheer volume utilised, extensive understanding of their biological and environmental fate is often hampered by the complexity of pathways, active metabolic products, non-covalent structures and other interactions. In this project, high throughput mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry, combined with robotics and machine learning, will allow a combinatorial approach to solving the fundamental interactions of globally significant pesticides, such as glyphosate.

Applicants must possess an academic qualification equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree plus Honours, or Masters degree in Chemistry, or a related discipline (e.g. materials science, biochemistry, physics) to apply. Candidates must also meet UNSW’s English language requirements. Please express interest to Dr Rijs by providing a motivation letter, CV, academic transcript and 2 potential academic references by the 15 of July, 2021.