Internship

Analytical Chemistry -HLO/University (BSc/MSc)

Passive sampling devices have been used to sample the bioavailable fraction of organic contaminants in several environmental media such as air, water and sediments. The chemicals are absorbed into the polymer and permeate throughout the polymer during deployment.

Topic of research

Determination of pesticides in silicone wristbands

A relatively recent passive sampling device are silicone wristbands. They have been used to provide personal exposure assessments to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), flame retardants and pesticides and are often applied in parallel with demographic data to infer lifestyles and behaviors associated with concentrations of the target compounds. The goal of this internship at Wageningen Food Safety Research is to develop and validate a reliable method to quantitatively determine pesticides in silicone wristbands and apply the method to samples from a real-life exposure study.

What will you do?

  • Literature search on the topic
  • Instrumental method optimization (LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS)
  • Investigation into sample preparation options (extraction/cleanup)
  • Validation of the developed method(s)
  • Data processing and data evaluation
  • Application of the method by analysis of samples
  • Dissemination of results (presentation/poster in conferences and report)

Requirements

  • Background in analytical chemistry (HLO/University)
  • Knowledge on chromatography and mass spectrometry
  • Enthusiastic, research-oriented student
  • Availability for approx. 5 months (full time, onsite), starting from March/April 2024
  • Ability to communicate in English

What we offer

We offer an interesting and challenging internship position in one of the leading research teams on pesticides residue analysis in Europe, with enthusiastic experienced researchers and equipped with high-end analytical instrumentation. In addition, you will receive a monthly remuneration of € 544,- gross based on a fulltime working week of 36 hours.

Application

In order to apply, please send your CV together with a motivation letter to the contact person Jonatan Dias until March 1st 2024.