About the Project
Project Description:
Are you passionate about developing innovative solutions for insect pest management? We are seeking a highly motivated HDR candidate in electrochemical sensing to join an exciting project aimed at creating advanced monitoring tools for the Varroa mite, a major threat to honeybee populations.
Project Background:
Effective monitoring tools for Varroa mite detection are currently lacking. Existing methods are invasive, time-consuming, and often subjective. However, recent studies suggest that the chemical profiles of Varroa-infested and healthy broods differ significantly. These differences present an opportunity to identify chemical markers for targeted detection.
Project Aims:
This project will focus on developing a custom-designed electrochemical sensor to detect and monitor Varroa-infested broods. Chemical sampling and analysis will target the headspace of both healthy and infested broods to identify reliable marker compounds. Furthermore, the project will explore the use of modified electrodes to enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor. This integrated approach aims to identify sensing materials capable of accurately detecting infestation and quantifying its severity.