Background: Australia has a very substantial investment in timber structures, including 11,000 km of timber bridges, railway sleepers, power poles and dwellings. Annual timber losses due to fungal, termite and other insect degradation, is very significant. The use of organochlorine compounds for ground poisoning and remedial treatment has been discontinued due to environmental, health and safety concerns. Less toxic chemicals are less effective, requiring more regular inspection and do not address fundamental concerns associated with environmental issues. This project will provide the community with a cheap automated alarm system indicating when remedial treatment is required and a non-chemical technology for controlling infected structures. The project is multidisciplinary involving electronic communication from remote structures, biology relating to termites and wood biodeterioration.

Qualified and experienced Veterinary / Medical Pathology Scientists required