Plasmagrain Cold Plasma Decontamination of Cereal Grains (Bio)

Job Description

 

Project DescriptionThe PlasmaGrain project will develop and understand a novel technology for cereal grain preservation as an environmentally friendly alternative to fumigants and pesticides. This project will elucidate the fundamental mechanisms of action for a non- thermal process intervention technology which is rapid enough for continuous treatment of grain, is of low energy and cost, overcomes current resistance issues found with fumigants and does not adversely affect grain quality. System efficacy will be tested against grain pests, fungi, mycotoxins and residual pesticides.
Biological Interactions with Cold Plasma
The successful applicant will work on laboratory based investigation of ACP as a pesticide alternative on a range of insect species, fungal species and mycotoxins. Applicants for this position should possess an honours degree at 2.1 level or above in Biology or Applied Biology area. Applicants should have a demonstrable knowledge of invertebrate biology, insect life cycles and physiology.  Applicants should also possess a working knowledge of cell and molecular biology tools and have an interest in developing alternatives to pesticides for agricultural purposes.

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