Summary
| Enrolment status | New students |
|---|---|
| Student type | Domestic students, International students |
| Level of study | Higher Degree by Research |
| Study area | Agriculture and Environment |
| HDR funding type | Living stipend scholarship, Top-up Scholarship |
| Scholarship value | $28,597 per annum (2021 rate), indexed annually. A top-up of $5,000 per annum for up to 3 years is also available. |
| Scholarship duration | Three years with the possibility of two 6-month extensions in approved circumstances |
| Opening date | 4 November 2020 |
| Closing date | 22 November 2020 |
Description
Supervisor – Professor Jochen Mueller
Despite many benefits associated with the use of chemicals, there is consensus that their accelerated production and use is increasingly affecting environmental health. Effective tools to understand spatiotemporal trends and factors that drive chemical exposure are urgently needed. This project aims to develop these tools by combining established programs in systematic sampling and archiving with advanced informatics and analytical techniques.
The project expects to identify emerging chemicals of concern, assess factors that affect exposure and model exposure based on chemical production, use and fate. Outcomes will support evidence-based regulation and management of chemicals to minimise adverse impacts of chemical exposure in Australia.
Up to four PhD scholarships are available as part of this five year program of work, working with the ARC Laureate Fellow and a team of postdoctoral research fellows.
The broad topics include:
- Development and application of analytical methods – both target and non-target – for analysis of emerging chemicals of concern in environmental and human samples;
- Evaluation of factors that drive human exposure to chemicals by assessing links between measured exposures (e.g. in blood or urine) and underlying metadata (e.g. age, gender, sources of chemicals, population lifestyle) using big data Bayesian and other statistical methods;
- Integration of data from new and existing biomonitoring programs of human exposures (e.g. blood, urine, breast milk) and environmental monitoring programs (e.g. air, water, soil, food) to establish spatiotemporal trends;
- Application of mechanistic modelling to predict changes in human exposure to chemicals over time and space and thus assess effectiveness of policy and regulation for exposure control.
A working knowledge of exposure science or chemical/data analysis methods would be of benefit to someone working on this project.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must meet the entry requirements for a higher degree by research.
Before you get started
If this scholarship has rules, download and read them.
How to apply
To apply for admission and scholarship, follow this link. There is no separate application for scholarship because you will have the opportunity to request scholarship consideration on the application for admission.
Before submitting an application you should:
- check your eligibility
- prepare your documentation
- contact Professor Jochen Mueller (qaehsadmin@uq.edu.au) to discuss your suitability for this scholarship
When you apply, please ensure that under the scholarships and collaborative study section you:
- Select ‘My higher degree is not collaborative’
- Select 'I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship'.
- Select ‘Other’, then ‘Research Project Scholarship’ and type in ‘CHEMICAL EXPOSOME’ in the 'Name of scholarship' field.
See an example of what you have to do
Learn more about applying for a higher degree by research at UQ
Selection criteria
Applications will be judged on a competitive basis taking into account the applicant’s previous academic record, publication record, honours and awards, and employment history.
The applicant will demonstrate academic achievement in the field/s of environmental science, analytical chemistry, exposure science, data analysis/modelling or related fields and the potential for scholastic success.
A background or knowledge of organic chemistry is highly desirable.
Terms and conditions
Read the policy on UQ Research Scholarships.
A domestic part-time student with carer’s responsibilities, a medical condition or a disability, which prevents them from studying full time may be eligible for scholarship consideration, on a case by case basis.