PhD on regulatory acceptance of animal-free models for endocrine disruption (1.0 FTE)

The Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development is offering a 4-year PhD position on regulatory acceptance of animal-free models for endocrine disruption. The vacancy is part of the recently awarded project 'Animal-free assays for endocrine disruption – from science to regulatory acceptance (AFARA)' which has been funded as part of the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA). This interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder project aims to strengthen the safety assessment of endocrine disrupting chemicals by facilitating the pathways to regulatory acceptance of animal-free and human-relevant testing models that are currently in development. The project does so against a backdrop of rising use of endocrine disrupting chemicals which represent a serious risk for human health and the environment. 

As a PhD researcher in the project you will work with social scientists, humanities scholars and toxicologists from Utrecht University and the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) as well as in close collaboration with stakeholders. Your research will focus on eliciting the considerations and values of various stakeholders for developing and accepting innovative models and safety assessment approaches for endocrine disruption. You will also examine systemic drivers and barriers in science, regulatory policy and society to strengthen the applicability and use of these models and assessment approaches for identification of endocrine disruptors. Moreover, you will be involved in engaging citizens and societal stakeholders in dialogues on animal-free testing and safety assessment.

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We are searching for a PhD candidate who is passionate about sustainability issues and animal-free innovations and would like to make a contribution in an interdisciplinary research environment in close interaction with stakeholders. Specifically, we are looking for a candidate who:

• has an academic education background in the social sciences or humanities;
• has proven affinity with questions relating to science, technology and innovation and/or the ethical, regulatory policy and societal aspects of technology development in general and/or life-sciences innovations specifically;
• is interested in using qualitative methods in research;
• enjoys working in an interdisciplinary team and with stakeholders and can showcase a pro-active attitude and organisational skills in these settings; 
• has excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

You will be offered a temporary position (1.0 FTE), initially for one year with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period. The gross salary ranges between €2,541 in the first year and €3,247 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). For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University.

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.

Utrecht University's Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth's core to its surface, including man's spatial and material utilisation of the Earth - always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

As a PhD you will be based at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development: an interdisciplinary research institute hosting 270 researchers and more than 100 PhD students that collectively investigate and develop processes and opportunities for innovative change towards sustainability. The core mission of the Copernicus Institute is to have a positive impact on the transition to a sustainable society. This includes reducing the need for laboratory animals, increasing the pace of animal-free innovation and strengthening the safety assessment of chemicals.