Job Utrecht University, Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences - PhD researcher: Quantification and characterization of exposure to smoky coal and its constituents and malignant and non-malignant respiratory effects

The population of Xuan Wei and Fu Yuan county, Yunnan Province, China is exposed to strikingly high levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from conception through adulthood via the smoky coal they burn for heating and cooking. Nonsmoking women can be exposed to ten-times higher levels of PAH than a 20 cigarette per day active smoker.

Lung cancer rates in Xuan Wei and Fu Yuan county are among the highest in China and are similar in men and women, despite the fact that almost all women are nonsmokers. Molecular epidemiology findings from small pilot studies of genetic susceptibility and tumor mutation patterns provide support that this excess is caused primarily by PAHs.

Recently, there has also been some evidence that silica exposure might also be involved in the etiology of lung cancer in this region possibly as a synergistic effect with PAH exposure. This population provides a unique setting to carry out a potentially definitive study of the quantitative relationship between environmental exposure to PAH and lung cancer; to study the interaction between PAH and silica exposure; to evaluate both older and recently developed hypotheses on genetic susceptibility for PAH-driven cancer; and to study the molecular characteristics of tumors caused by these compounds. To take advantage of this special opportunity, we carried out a hospital based case-control study of lung cancer among non-smoking women in Xuan Wei and Fu Yuan county, Yunnan Province, China. In addition, we have conducted a large exposure survey to enable detail quantification and characterization of exposure to smoky coal and its constituents.

The research is carried out in collaboration with researchers of the US, National Cancer Institute and the center of disease control of Qujing, Yunnan Province, China. 

You will work in a multidisciplinary research team with epidemiologists, exposure assessors, geologists and statisticians. Your activities will focus on exposure data analysis and modeling, and epidemiological analyses. The candidate will publish the findings as papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals. These papers will form the basis of the PhD thesis.

We are looking for an enthusiastic graduate (MSc) with a background in the field of (occupational and/or environmental) health sciences, epidemiology or equivalent. The candidate should have strong organisational, communication and writing skills (in English). We are looking for a team player who is able to work independently. Experience in the field of exposure assessment and/or environmental epidemiology research will be an advantage.

Candidates from the European Union and North America are eligible for this position.

The IRAS can offer you a temporary full-time appointment of one year with the perspective of prolongation with another 2 years. The gross salary starts with € 2,042.- per month in the first year and increases to € 2492.- per month in the third year of employment (salary scale P Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities).

Secondary benefits based on the Collective Labour Agreement  of the Dutch Universities are excellent in general and include e.g a pension scheme, flexible employment conditions and salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year end bonus of 8,3% per year. Travel costs for international conferences and working meetings are also included.

The Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences of Utrecht University is an interfaculty research institute within the faculties of Veterinary Medicine, Medicine and Bèta Sciences. The mission of IRAS is to provide education and research on the human health risks of exposure to potentially harmful agents in the environment, at the workplace and through the food chain.

The research is performed in three divisions

• Environmental Epidemiology (EEPI)
• Toxicology
• Veterinary Public Health

The project will be performed within the EEPI-division.

Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from the project leader at IRAS: dr.ir. Roel Vermeulen tel. +31 (0)30 253 9448 e-mail: r.c.h.vermeulen@uu.nl.

Please do not send your application to this address.