Developing novel materials for slow and zero-order release of insect pest attractants

Do you want to develop innovative solutions for horticultural pest control areas? We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate in materials chemistry to join our project on developing novel materials for slow and zero-order release of insect pest attractants.

Project background: Currently, monitoring banana spotting bugs (BSB) employs a sticky board with a lure receptacle at its center. However, the efficacy of this system has been inconsistent due to inadequate longevity and uneven delivery of lure compounds. Traditional septum dispensers exhibit first-order kinetics behavior, with a rapid loss of pheromone initially, followed by a slowing release rate. Ideally, a zero-order release, where the constant amount of pheromone is being released each day, would be the most effective pheromone dispenser. Some studies have explored silicate sol-gel polymers or polyethylene sachets as slow-release matrices, but their effectiveness and applications remain unclear. This project focuses on utilising cutting-edge carbon-based materials, biodegradable microcapsules, and composite membranes to develop slow and zero-order release mechanisms for attractants, specifically targeting horticultural applications.

Candidate qualifications:

·        Master’s degree in chemistry or engineering from a high-ranking university.

·        Strong academic record with a GPA exceeding 3.5 (out of 4) or equivalent.

·        Proven research experience with first author research publications.

If you meet the above criteria and passionate about developing innovative solutions for pest management, we encourage you to apply! Please send an email to Dr Soo Jean Park (soojean.park@mq.edu.au) with your:

·        CV highlighting your research experience and skills

·        Academic transcripts

·        Details of publications with doi links

·        Any awards or other research achievements

·        English proficiency test results.

The PhD candidate will be based at Applied BioSciences/Engineering at Macquarie University. The project will be supervised by Dr Soo Jean Park.