Degree type
PhD
Closing date
25 September 2023
Campus
Hobart
Citizenship requirement
Domestic / International
About the research project
With an increasing demand for fresh or less-processed foods, minimising food safety risks has become a unique challenge to food businesses and public health authorities. A food-borne pathogen, such as Listeria monocytogenes, poses a serious threat to public health. This is because it is ubiquitous in nature and can cause a potentially life-threatening disease called listeriosis. L. monocytogenes has also been identified as a cause of numerous outbreaks associated with a variety of foods especially ready-to-eat products. Accordingly, a number of control strategies have been adopted to minimise the food safety risks associated with this pathogen. These include implementing interventions for reducing L. monocytogenes prevalence and environmental monitoring programs, and stringently following good manufacturing practices and sanitation standard operation procedures.
Despite those control strategies being in place, the presence of L. monocytogenes in foods still occurs and typically leads to a food recall. In Australia, there has been an increasing trend in food recalls due to microbial contamination over the last decade. L. monocytogenes was also amongst the most common pathogens responsible for food recalls (72 of 201 recalls between 2012 and 2021). These recalls greatly reduce consumer trust and affect food businesses' profitability. Therefore, being able to assess and manage the risks of food products being recalled is critical to the success of business while protecting public's health.
The aim of this project is to develop a framework for modelling approach for assessing the risks of food recalls due to L. monocytogenes. Ready-to-eat products and leafy green vegetables will be used as a model product to develop that framework. The framework will then be used to develop a decision support tool that can be readily adopted by food businesses to manage better the risks of those products being recalled or modified to consider other food products.
Primary Supervisor
Meet Dr Jay KocharunchittFunding
Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:
- a living allowance stipend of $31,500 per annum (2023 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
- a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
- a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)
If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.
As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.
Other funding opportunities and fees
For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.
Eligibility
Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.
Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.
Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:
- Applications are open to Domestic and International applicants
- Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus
Selection Criteria
The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.
Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:
- Experience in mathematical modelling
Application process
- Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
- Contact Dr Jay Kocharunchitt to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
- In your application:
- Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
- Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
- Apply prior to 25 September 2023.
Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.
Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.
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