Internship in Australia in timber preservation research

Title:

Enhancing the Reliability of LOSP Timber Treatment Processes in Australia

Topic:

The School of Engineering and Built Environment at Griffith University, Australia, is seeking interns to investigate and optimise systems that improve the reliability and performance of Light Organic Solvent Preservative (LOSP) treated timber used in residential construction.

This research project examines the challenges associated with LOSP treatment of radiata and southern pine - one of the most widely used treatment systems in Australia. Although LOSP offers the advantage of avoiding post‑treatment timber drying, industry continues to report difficulties in achieving consistent preservative penetration, particularly for treatments containing tebuconazole, propiconazole and permethrin. Reliance on tracer‑based penetration spot tests (such as zinc) raises concerns about subjectivity in visual assessment, variability in tracer type and concentration, reagent sensitivity, and whether tracer penetration reliably reflects active ingredient behaviour. The project will also assess the reliability of standard heartwood/sapwood indicators and explore alternative methods for distinguishing these timber zones. Work will focus on approaches to improving testing reliability, understanding LOSP solvent-wood interactions, and enhancing treatment process control.

Candidate:

This project is particularly suited to chemistry and/or chemical engineering students interested in process optimisation and innovation, however candidates from other fields will also be considered. The interns will undertake literature reviews, experimental work, data analysis, and industry‑focused problem solving, contributing to improved quality assurance practices in the timber treatment sector. Ideally, the successful candidates must have been trained in chemistry and/or chemical engineering principles. The candidates must be able to commit to a four to six months internship.

Strong oral and written communication in English is essential.

Keywords:

Chemical engineering; LOSP treatment; softwood timber; preservative penetration; tracer reliability; analytical methods; process optimisation; timber quality.

Duration and starting date:

4-6 months internship with a starting date in 2026.

Salary:

Financial support will be considered for the successful candidates and needs to be negotiated during the interview.

Workplace:

Since opening its doors in 1975, Griffith University has come to be regarded as one of Australia's most innovative tertiary institutions and one of the most influential universities in the Asia-Pacific region. Griffith University employs 3,500 staff and is spread over five campuses between Brisbane and the Gold Coast in south-east Queensland, Australia.

Griffith now offers more than 300 degrees across five campuses and is home to more than 40000 students from 124 countries. Griffith is Australia’s ninth largest higher education provider.

The present placement is offered on the Gold Coast campus.

Contact:

Associate Professor Bill LEGGATE

School of Engineering and Built Environment, Gold Coast Campus

Griffith University, QLD 4222, Australia

Telephone: +61 (0) 467762003 (Mobile)

Email: < email deleted for security reasons >