Two PhD candidates: Health effects of micro- and nanoplastics (1.0 FTE)

Interested in investigating health effects of micro- and nanoplastics (MNP) that are increasingly present in our environment and diets? If so, a PhD position within the recently awarded EC-Horizon project POLYRISK might be just the job for you. We are offering two PhD positions embedded in POLYRISK. This project will evaluate health risks of MNP, by combining in vitro and in vivo immunotoxicity assessment and assessment of health effects of actual human exposure in real-life scenarios. Together, POLYRISK will lay the foundation of future human risk assessment of MNP.
The IRAS PhD candidates will work on identifying immuno-toxicological hazards of MNP (candidate 1) and on evaluating exposure levels and immune alterations in human exposure scenarios (candidate 2). Both candidates will work closely together within the IRAS epidemiology and toxicology departments. The candidates will also collaborate with partners from Utrecht Science Park (Chemical Analysts of Utrecht University and Immunologists from UMCU), and other national (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) and international partners of the European consortium of POLYRISK.

You will publish the findings as papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals that will form the basis of your PhD thesis. Integration of different disciplines including chemistry, toxicology and epidemiology is a crucial component of POLYRISK.

This project is daily supervised by Raymond Pieters (candidate 1) and Gerard Hoek (candidate 2).

We are looking for two enthusiastic candidates.
Candidate 1 has a completed Master's degree in environmental sciences, or toxicology and has a strong interest in investigating mechanisms of adverse health effects of substances, such as MNP. Experience with immunotoxicology, advanced cell cultures (e.g. culture of cell lines, organoids, human cells), and immunological test methods are highly commendable for this candidate.

Candidate 2 has a completed Master's degree in environmental sciences, epidemiology, toxicology or a related discipline and has a strong interest in epidemiology, environment and health. Experience with human exposure studies, METC applications, biomarker analyses and data analyses are highly commendable.

Both candidates are expected to be motivated and collaborative team members, communicative and resourceful, open for collaboration across scientific fields, with the ambition to contribute to scientific progress as well as to perform societally relevant research. The candidates should be able to work independently, but with a natural drive to share knowledge and expertise. Both candidates should have demonstrable excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Candidate 2 is also required to have excellent communication skills in Dutch, as the study will involve field work with human volunteers.

You will be offered a temporary position (1.0 FTE), initially for one year. In case of a good performance an extension period of 3 years is possible. The gross salary ranges between €2,395 in the first year and €3,061 in the fourth year of employment (scale P 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, but it is also where Researchers are working together on innovative scientific research. In the coming years, the faculty will focus on three themes: One Health, One Medicine and Veterinary Biomedicine. In addition, the faculty provides specialist clinical care in the largest academic veterinary hospital in Europe. A focus on disease, health and well-being of animals and their environments underpins the faculty’s three main pillars: education, research, and veterinary health care. The faculty consists of 1,500 students and 900 employees.

IRAS is an inter-faculty research institute within the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine, and Medicine at 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.