Ph.D. Fellowship in Environmental Health Sciences – Env. Chemistry & Toxicology

24 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Masaryk University - Faculty of Science – RECETOX

Research Field

Biological sciences
Environmental science
Chemistry » Biochemistry

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Czech Republic

Application Deadline

29 Feb 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Prague)

Type of Contract

Permanent

Job Status

Part-time

Hours Per Week

20

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Workplace: Laboratory of Cell and Tissue Toxicology, RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic
Thesis Topic: Disrupted cell dialogue: Investigating the role of gap junctional communication in non-genotoxic carcinogenesis
Supervisor: Dr. Pavel Babica
Type of Cooperation: Ph.D. fellowship (more information on Ph.D. study programs at the Faculty of Science here )
Expected Start Date: Spring 2024/Negotiable
Application Deadline:  Feb 29, 2024

RECETOX  focuses on interdisciplinary research and education in the area of Environment & Health, studying toxic compounds and their behavior, transport & bioaccumulation to evaluate environmental effects, assess the exposure and health risks to humans, and develop technologies and biotechnologies to break them down. 

The appointed PhD Fellow will join  group of Dr. Babica , who focuses on the use of mammalian cell-based in vitro models for studying adverse effects of environmental and food toxicants. His group is particularly interested in physiologically-relevant models, including human stem cell-based models and/or static and dynamic 3D cultures, which can be used to characterize tissue-specific toxic effects and key events leading to the development of adverse human health outcomes (e.g., liver metabolic disruption, chronic hepatotoxicity and hepatocarcinogenesis, endocrine disruption, impairment of male steroidogenesis and reproduction).

The position’s field of research:

Exposure to chemical substances in the environment can significantly contribute to the risk of developing cancer. The identification of substances with carcinogenic potential is, therefore, a key element in protecting human health. Non-genotoxic carcinogens (NGTxCs), unlike genotoxic carcinogens, do not damage DNA but instead promote tumor growth by affecting signaling and regulatory pathways, leading to the disruption of tissue homeostasis and the manifestation of cancer hallmarks.

The research will focus on a crucial homeostatic mechanism, gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), and how NGTxC-induced disruption of GJIC is linked to other cancer-related phenotypic changes, such as dysregulated proliferation, programmed cell death, migration, or epigenetic modifications. These relationships will be explored in both 2D and 3D in vitro rodent and human cell cultures, utilizing cellomics and transcriptomics approaches. The aim is to characterize mechanistic links between dysregulated GJIC and downstream alterations in cellular behavior, and evaluate their predictive capacity for the in vitro identification of NGTxCs with specific modes of action.

Description of the Ph.D. Fellowship at RECETOX

•  4-year Ph.D. programme with financial support for 4 years
• Interdisciplinary scientific topics
• Supervision by experienced mentors and excellent scientists and tailored study plan
• Excellent and state-of-the-art research infrastructure
• International mobility and internships
• International and friendly environment
• Courses developing transferable skills

Selected student(s) will have an opportunity to

• Employ advanced in vitro models of mammalian and human cells, including stem-cell-based cultures and 3D culture techniques
• Investigate the effects of chemicals of interest on a variety of cancer-relevant endpoints using real-time cell analysis, automated microscopy and cellomics techniques
• Unravel the mechanisms of non-genotoxic carcinogens using molecular biology and transcriptomics methods, and the role of environmental exposures to NGTxCs in cancer development
• Contribute to the development of in vitro assays and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) suitable for hazard identification and assessment of non-genotoxic carcinogens for regulatory purposes, in connection with international projects and initiatives

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, toxicology or other related fields (required at the time of enrolment to the PhD study program)
• Prior training/experience in
  • mammalian cell cultures
  • in vitro cellular assays (e.g., viability, biomarkers of toxicity)
  • brightfield and fluorescence microscopy, image analysis basics
  • basic statistical analysis (two-sample hypothesis testing, ANOVA, dose response modelling)
  • (recommended) Western blot, qPCR, immunocytochemistry
• Good communication skills (oral and written) in English
• High level of commitment to complete the PhD studies

Offered Conditions

Selected candidate will receive a comprehensive training in environmental toxicology, including risk assessment and namely concepts utilized in the next-generation risk assessment (e.g., adverse outcome pathways, new approach methodologies, in vitro-in vivo extrapolations, omics technologies), practical training in advanced in vitro mammalian cell cultures (2D and 3D culture models, static and dynamic cultures, stem cell based models), phenotypic assays for evaluation of cancer-related cellular processes (using real-time cell analyses, automated microscopy, cellomics and confocal microscopy), mechanistic studies of toxicity mechanisms using molecular biology techniques and transcriptomics, analysis and interpretation of toxicological data 

In addition to the standard PhD scholarship at Masaryk University (CZK 15 000 per month), additional funds are provided through departmental resources (assignment in research projects, additional scholarships). An overall monthly income is typically around CZK 29 000 (net salary). Additional support includes performance-based bonuses (scholarships for successfully published papers) as well as support for international mobility or attendance of conferences etc.

How to Apply

Please send your curriculum vitae, cover letter with a concise summary of your previous research activities to: [email protected]

SelectionProcess

Received applications will be continuously reviewed and carefully considered. Shortlisted applicants meeting the requirements will be invited to an interview.

Please note that your application does not substitute an official admission process to Ph.D. studies at SCI MUNI . Details including discussion about the research topic, required documentation or formalities will be a subject of the interview with successful candidates. Only upon the informal pre-agreement with potential future supervisor, a formal application for PhD studies at Faculty of Science, Masaryk University can be submitted.

More about us

Masaryk University is modern, dynamic and the most attractive university in the Czech Republic with ten faculties, more than 5000 staff and 30 000 students, a wide range of research areas and a strong international position. We are the largest academic employer in the South Moravian Region.

Faculty of Science MU, a holder of the HR Excellence in Research Award by the European Commission, is a research-oriented faculty, offering university education (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degree programs) closely linked to both primary and applied research and high school teaching of the following sciences: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Earth sciences. We are the most productive scientific unit of the Masaryk University generating around 40 % of MU research results.

Brno , the capital city of the South Moravian Region, situated approximately halfway between Prague and Vienna, it is the largest university town in the Czech Republic and a modern metropolis with a long history and culture. Recognizing the university’s significant role in making Brno one of the most innovative cities in the CEE region, it continuously supports, together with the South Moravian Region, the local scientific, start-up, and high-tech communities. Brno is also one of the 10 best student cities .

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Requirements

Research Field

Chemistry » Biochemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Masaryk University; RECETOX

Country

Czech Republic

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

City

Brno

Website

http://www.recetox.muni.cz

Street

Kamenice 753/5

Postal Code

625 00

STATUS: EXPIRED