MASTER THESIS „EVALUATION OF (BIO)SURFACTANTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MICROBIAL SPRAY FORMULATIONS“
Standort: Tulln (in immediate vicinity of Vienna) AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Art: Masterarbeit
Firma: AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH
Eingetragen am: 2019-10-07
Kontakt:
Beschreibung:

We are Austria’s largest research and technology organisation and an international player in applied research for innovative infrastructure solutions. This makes us a powerful development partner for industry and a top employer in the scientific community. Our Center for Health & Bioresources in Tulln (in immediate vicinity of Vienna) invites applications for a:

Master Thesis „Evaluation of (bio)surfactants for the development of microbial spray formulations“

IMAGINE

  • Microbial inoculants are used for biocontrol of pest and diseases, as well as for plant growth promotion.
  • Successful spraying of microbial inoculants is typically achieved by timely administration of an efficient microbial formulation with proper spraying equipment. Formulation is expected to protect the microbes from adverse environmental effects, improve microbial viability and shelf life and facilitate handling and spraying. Wetting agents, especially surfactants reduce surface tension and improve wettability and adhesion of the spray on typically hydrophobic leaves to ensure good coverage, rainfastness and high efficacy of the foliar applied microbes.

ENGAGE

  • Starting from a set of previously selected (bio)surfactants you will identify new surfactants based on a comprehensive literature search.
  • You will measure contact angle and spreadability on different types of surfaces.
  • You will test the surfactants in microbial formulations and determine phytotoxicity as well as biocompatibility.
  • The best performing microbial formulations will be tested with maize in the field.

ACHIEVE

  • You will increase your knowledge and experience in a cutting-edge topic by studying the effect of surfactants on adhesion on plant leaves and by evaluating their use in microbial seed coatings. 
  • You will gain experience in working within an international group of scientists.

Your qualifications as an Ingenious Partner*:

  • Profound expertise in (bio)chemistry, material science, microbiology or related fields
  • Experience in laboratory work
  • Enthusiasm for scientific work
  • Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team
  • Good communication skills in English both in spoken and written.

What to expect:

EUR 719,51 gross per month for 20 hours/week based on the collective agreement. There will be additional company benefits. As a research institution, we are familiar with the supervision and execution of master theses and we are looking forward to supporting you accordingly!

TOMORROW TODAY - WITH YOU?

Please submit your application documents including your CV, cover letter and certificates online, via: https://jobs.ait.ac.at/Job/118241.

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