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Investigating UV-Induced Degradation of Tattoo Ink Pigments and Identification of Transformation Products Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Project summary

Program
PhD
Location
St Lucia
Research area
Environmental sciences

Project description

Tattoo inks are complex mixtures of pigments and additives that can undergo chemical transformations when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This PhD project aims to investigate the degradation pathways of various tattoo inks under controlled UV exposure using a UV simulator.

Research environment

The project will begin by conducting a comprehensive review of existing literature on tattoo ink pigments. Analytical techniques, such as Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), will be developed for the separation and identification of a range of tattoo ink pigments and their transformation products. These validated methods will be used to assess the stability of these pigments when exposed to UV light and identify any transformation products formed.

Scholarship

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

This scholarship includes:

  • living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
  • a top-up of $5,000 per annum
  • tuition fees covered.

This scholarship includes:

  • living stipend of $36,400 per annum tax free (2025 rate), indexed annually
  • tuition fees covered.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

Supervisor

Preferred educational background

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

  • previous academic record
  • publication record
  • honours and awards
  • employment history

A working knowledge of analytical chemistry would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

How to apply

Before you apply

Before submitting an application you should:

  1. check your eligibility for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
  2. prepare your documentation
  3. contact Professor Kevin Thomas (kevin.thomas@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability
  4. submit your application by 5 May, 2025 5 May, 2025.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for your program. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

  • ‘My higher degree is not collaborative’
  • ‘I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship'
  • ‘Other’, then ‘Research Project Scholarship’ and in the ‘Name of scholarship’ field enter TATTOO-THOMAS.

Apply now

This project is not available to international students

Do you have questions?

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Contact us