Graduate Research Assistant
: Job Details :

Position Description

I am looking for a Ph.D. student to survey the bioaccumulation of PFAS in plant and animal-based food products. They will join my team at the Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute in Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, but work remotely from time to time at the Osage Nation's food production facility (for sample collection and analysis) in Pawhuska, OK. This project commits to improving the food sovereignty and production sustainability of Tribal Nations in USA by tracking and reducing harmful environmental contaminants. Working with the Tribal citizens is therefore necessary to organically develop the research program. The Ph.D. degree will be offered in Plant and Science with a concentration in Fibers and Biopolymers. Travel allowance, and in-person as well as remote mentorship will be provided for a successful completion of the degree program. The expected start date is Summer 2025.

Minimum requirements

• A Master's degree in Chemistry, Environmental toxicology, Food science, Agriculture, Biological Engineering, Biotechnology, or related fields.
• Basic wet lab skills.

Desired qualifications

• Member of a Tribal Nation in U.S. with a deep interest in sustainable food production.
• Soil, surface water, plant and animal tissue sampling.
• Preliminary knowledge of HPLCs.
• Biological sample handling, extraction, and clean-up.

Application steps

• Interested candidates, please send your CV with the title PhD in Agricultural PFAS to Dr. Kalavathy Rajan at ...@ttu.edu.
• Your CV should cite the latest CGPA, expected date of degree completion, and publications if any.
• Applicant screening will begin on January 22, 2025, and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected.