We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative epidemiologist to strengthen our team. The position of Assistant Professor Environmental Epidemiology is part of the 'One Health Microbial' research group. In this group, interdisciplinary research and teaching is conducted, focusing on environmental exposures and human health effects of livestock farming, food safety, and veterinary public health related issues. The group has a strong background in observational epidemiological research, exposure assessment, environmental epidemiology, and public health. Active collaboration exists with groups with expertise in (molecular) microbiology in the medical and veterinary faculties of Utrecht University. Studies that are conducted focus on epidemiological studies to mitigate animal/environmental and food associated human health risks. Research is expected to develop innovative ways for assessing risks for environmental exposure, as well as human and animal health and welfare, based on diverse and complex sources of data. 

One of the projects the Assistant Professor will contribute to is the long running Livestock Farming and Neighboring Residents’ Health Study (the Dutch Veehouderij en Gezondheid Omwonenden (VGO) Study), in collaboration with RIVM, WUR and Nivel. This study investigates potential public health risks in the proximity of livestock farms, for example respiratory health effects, infectious diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, the candidate will contribute to exposure modelling of air pollutants in rural regions, and linking the exposure data to health outcomes.

The candidate will contribute to:

• data analysis and reporting of ongoing epidemiological studies, in particular analyses that involve spatial epidemiology and exposure assessment;
• setting up the data management/data sharing procedures of the VGO study in collaboration with other consortium partners;
• preparation of grant applications;
• teaching courses which are part of the One Health Research Master's programme.

We are looking for an epidemiologist (PhD) who has: 

• at least one year of postdoctoral research experience;
• an excellent research and publication track record;
• experience working with spatial or environmental epidemiological methods;
• experience with advanced statistics, and analyzing large datasets;
• experience working with R or SAS statistical software;
• preferably an ‘epidemiologist B’ qualification, or comparable experience.

The candidate should be a team player, and have affinity for interdisciplinary research. Teaching experience is desirable but not a requirement.

We offer a tenure track position (1.0 FTE) for five years, which will be subject to a mid-term evaluation after approximately 2.5 years and an end-term evaluation. When evaluations are positive the position becomes permanent after 5 years. It is an appointment at Assistant Professor (universitair docent) level. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience  - ranges between €3,637 and €4,978 (scale 11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine has a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution where veterinarians are trained, researchers are also working together on innovative scientific research. In addition, the faculty provides specialist clinical care in the largest academic veterinary hospital in Europe. Thanks to this position, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a point of contact for all veterinary matters, both nationally and increasingly internationally. The faculty employs approximately 900 veterinarians, scientists and support staff and counts 1.500 students.

IRAS is an inter-facultary research institute within the Faculties Veterinary Medicine, and Medicine of Utrecht University. Its mission is to provide education and research on the human and environmental health risks of exposure to potentially harmful agents in the environment where research takes place within the domains of Toxicology, Environmental Epidemiology and Veterinary Public Health.