Junior researcher in epidemiologic exposome research

(ref. BAP-2022-621)

Laatst aangepast : 10/08/2022

Our research unit deals with the impact of environmental factors, including occupational exposures, on population’s and individual’s health and disease status, including interactions between genes and the environment. This is done through epidemiologic, basic and applied research. The epidemiologic studies comprise exposure and effect studies to pollutants in the workplace or in the general environments (e.g. carcinogens, irritants, metals, particulate air pollution, green spaces) in Belgium and also in developing countries (e.g. Morocco, Pakistan, DR Congo). The experimental studies are conducted in two laboratories: (1) the Laboratory of Occupational Hygiene is an analytical laboratory where methods are developed and validated to assess environmental and human samples after exposure, and (2) the Laboratory of Occupational and Environmental Toxicology, which performs translational research regarding mechanisms of toxicity of inhaled pollutants with an emphasis on ultrafine particles and engineered nanoparticles, and immunological and non-immunological mechanisms of chemical-induced asthma.

Project

The combination of exposures over our lifetime strongly influences the risk of the development of disease. This is referred to as the ‘exposome’; the totality of exposures people experience during their lifetime and how their bodies respond to them. We are working, in broad collaboration with both national and international partners, on technology (e.g. sensor and sensor-based methods for obtaining personal exposure profiles, passive sampling devices) and methods (e.g. job-exposure matrices, biomonitoring, sentinel approach, data mining methods) to monitor and interpret these exposures, relate them to health effects and to develop effective methods of prevention. 

You will play an active role in the organisation of a sentinel system among occupational health practitioners for human biomonitoring in Belgium; be involved in the construction of the first Belgian Job Exposure matrix to facilitate exposure assessment; aid in data processing and analysis of health, exposure and biomarker data (for example, in the broad field of occupational cancers); and assist in the writing of protocols and reports.

The research is embedded in ambitious internal projects such as ‘The Exposome Project for Health and Occupational Research’ (EPHOR) and ‘Partnership for the Risk Assessment of Chemicals’ (PARC), and will be done in co-creation with citizens, decision-makers, business and industry, practitioners and other researchers. 

Profile

We are looking for a curious and motivated candidate, with a master’s degree in medicine, biomedical sciences, bioengineering, pharmaceutical sciences, epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related discipline; a strong interest in exposome research, data processing and analysis; and an eagerness to learn and evolve within a multidisciplinary and international research team, towards an own research trajectory.

Offer

We offer a full-time employment at KU Leuven with a standard fixed term contract for one year, during which we will encourage the candidate to develop their own research trajectory and apply for a personal PhD fellowship; a stimulating environment characterised by a mixture of independence, trust and support; the chance to learn from our multidisciplinary team of physicians, pharmacologists, engineers, psychologists, etc.; the possibility to collaborate in international projects; and access to all facilities offered by the University.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Lode Godderis, tel.: +32 16 37 32 91, mail: [email protected] or Mrs. Liesbeth Gilissen, tel.: +32 16 71 00 84, mail: [email protected].

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at [email protected].