The Environmental Forensics & Human Health Lab within the Environmental
Engineering Research Centre (EERC) is inviting applications for:

1 PhD studentship (42 months)

in the field of forensic stable isotope profiling to help fighting serious
and organised crime.

This RSC/EPSRC Analytical Science Studentship is fully funded by Analytical
Chemistry Trust Fund (ACTF) for 42 months.

Project description:

Multi-dimensional Profiling of Drugs and Fibres.

The main aim of this project is to develop reliable analytical
methodologies, primarily based on stable isotope analyses at natural
abundance level but in conjunction with other instrumental analytical
techniques such as GC-MS, Pyrolysis-MS, FTIR, Raman and NMR, to identify the
source of a particular item where conventional analysis targeting within
batch variation has proven unreliable.  The samples of interest are illicit
synthetic drugs (and in particular MDMA (commonly referred to as ecstasy))
and natural and synthetic fibres.  While these items may seem very different
in nature, their manufacture causes specific difficulties for the analytical
chemist in the elucidation of within batch variation and therefore the
ability to definitively match two samples together.  Conventional methods of
analysis (GC-MS, Raman, FTIR, NMR etc) of both of these types of material
will allow a certain level of discrimination but cannot conclusively
determine whether a particular drug or fibre come from the same batch as
another.  The research involved in this project will teach the student to
develop novel approaches to the analysis of such materials and to validate
these for two types of physical evidence relevant to the UK's efforts to
combat illegal drugs and drug related crime and the definitive use of fibre
evidence.

Candidates should hold a good degree (e.g. BA, BSc, MA, MSc) in
biochemistry, chemistry, environmental sciences, forensic science,
pharmacology, toxicology ore related subject. Interest in experimental work
and good technical skills are advantageous.

The studentship will run from the beginning of the 2006/2007 academic year
but initial applications / expressions of interest (cover letter and CV,
preferably in electronic form) should be sent no later than 31 May 2006 to


Dr W Meier-Augenstein

Lecturer
Environmental Forensics & Human Health
Environmental Engineering Research Centre
Queen's University Belfast
David Keir Building
39-123 Stranmillis Road
BELFAST     BT9 5AG
United Kingdom
 
Tel: +44 (0)28 9097 4015 (office)
Tel: +44 (0)28 9097 5609 (IRMS lab)
Fax: +44 (0)28 9066 3754
E-mail: <[log in to unmask]>
URL: http://www.qub.ac.uk/eerc/people/academic_staff/wma/wmaugenstein.htm