Postdoc on the Inflammatory and Endocrine Effects of Chemical Exposures (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)

The Toxicology division of The Institute for Risk Assessment Services (IRAS) is a leading group in endocrine, immuno-, and neurotoxicology, as well as exposure assessment. Our mission is to improve the scientific basis of chemical risk assessment through innovative research and teaching in predictive and mechanistic toxicology.

This position is within the Horizon EU Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC), which is aimed at moving towards a new generation of chemical risk assessment methods. Research at IRAS will focus on investigating the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of toxic substances on the immune and endocrine system using in vitro approaches, linking the expertise from the Endocrine Toxicology and the Immunotoxicology groups.

The partnership is made up of different work packages (WP) and you will be part of WP5 Hazard Assessment. In this WP you will work on the development of new approach methodologies for (1) assessing the innate immune response through intestinal epithelial-leukocyte interaction assays as well as macrophage/dendritic cell activation following exposure to various chemicals and (2) the establishment of a 3D model of adipogenesis using human mesenchymal stem cells and serum free culture conditions. Ultimately, these models will be combined to investigate chemical interactions with the immune-endocrine axis, using with a variety of biomolecular approaches, including transcriptomics.

• has a background in immunology (i.e. inflammation responses) and/or endocrinology and has an interest in toxicology;
• has excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• takes initiative easily;
• can work independently but is also effective working in a team;
• has experience with cell culture techniques (e.g. stem cells, organoids), immunological techniques (flow cytometry, ELISA etc), cellular imaging and data analysis;
• experience in transcriptomics is a plus.
  

We offer a temporary position (0.8 - 1.0 FTE) for one year in an international environment. In case of a good performance, extending the employment for another year is a possibility. The minimum gross salary is €2,960 and the maximum gross salary is €4,670 (scale 10 of the Collective Labor Agreement of Dutch Universities) per month, at a full-time employment. Besides that, you will receive a holiday allowance of 8 % and a year-end bonus of 8.3 %.

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.

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 and is located at Utrecht Science Park in the Androclus Building near the historical city centre of Utrecht.

The Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) is an interfacultary research institute within the Faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Medicine. Our 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.