PhD: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) within the dairy supply chain

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of more than 4,500 chemicals widely used across various industries, including textiles, household products, firefighting, food processing, and electronics. Their persistence and extensive use have led to their detection even in human blood. One major source of PFAS exposure is through food consumption. Exposure to these chemicals has been associated with several adverse health effects, such as elevated cholesterol levels, cancers and reduced birth weights. In response to these concerns, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) established a new safety threshold in 2020, setting a limit of 4.4 ng/kg body weight per week for key PFAS. Additionally, COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2022/2388 set maximum levels (MLs) for key PFAS in certain meat, fish, and egg products, effective from January 1, 2023. Also, EU 2022/1431 advises member states to monitor PFAS in food to gather occurrence data relevant to human exposure. This will support dietary exposure assessments and inform potential regulations for other commodities, including milk and dairy products. Studies conducted in countries such as the USA, Poland, and South Africa have found PFAS in milk and milk products, including butter and cheese. In some cases, PFAS levels in milk samples exceeded the indicative thresholds set by EU regulation 2022/1431, which mandates further investigation when these levels are surpassed. Notably, PFAS have also been detected in organic and grass-fed milk. The possible sources of contamination are likely on farms, specifically from water and sewage sludge used as fertilizer, and PFAS could also enter milk and milk products during processing or packaging. Despite the global concern, data on PFAS levels within the Irish dairy supply chain are scarce. Additionally, there is a significant knowledge gap regarding the fate and enrichment potential of PFAS during various stages of processing and packaging. This project aims to generate data and novel insights into these critical areas. Requirements Applicants should have a 1H or 2H1 BSc degree in an appropriate discipline (Food Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related disciplines). Although not a strict requirement, candidates with an MSc qualification and/or previous laboratory experience would have a distinct advantage. The successful candidate should be highly motivated and enthusiastic about developing technical skills across a range of disciplines. Applicants whose first language is not English must show evidence of English proficiency. For details, click English language requirements | TU Dublin. Award This PhD Walsh Scholarship is a joint research project between Teagasc and Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin). The student will be registered at TU Dublin, where the structured PhD programme is 4 years duration. As part of this structured PhD programme, the student will be required to enrol in a total of 40 credits of modules over the course of four years. For details on the modules and their assessments, please visit Current Students & Supervisors | TU Dublin. The student will conduct research under the supervision of Dr Prabin Lamichhane, Dr Martin Danaher, Dr Melissa Di Rocco (all from Teagasc) and Prof Christine O’Connor (TU Dublin). The scholar will be based in the Department of Food Chemistry and Technology in Teagasc Moorepark Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland. The scholar is also required to travel frequently to Teagasc Ashtown Food Research Centre, Dublin. The scholarship will commence as soon as possible after October 1, 2025. The scholarship funding is €31,000 per annum and comprises of University fees of up to a maximum of €6,000 and flat rate stipend of €25,000 is tenable for 4 years. Further Information Contact: Prabin Lamichhane at [email protected] or [email protected]. Please use the subject line “PFASinDairy_Query”. Application Procedure Submit an electronic copy of Curriculum Vitae and a letter of interest to [email protected]. When doing so, please use the subject line “PFASinDairy_Application”. If you are interested in submitting an application for this project, please complete an Expression of Interest. forms.office.com/e/0hCcrv2Gkp

Closing date June 30 2025