PHD POSITION IMPACT OF CHEMICAL EXPOSURE ON CHILD HEALTH

Updated: about 1 year ago
Deadline: ;

Do you have a passion for science and want to have impact on human exposure to chemicals? Then we would like to get to know you. Please apply at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Location: AMSTERDAM
FTE: 1


Job description

This PhD position will be embedded in the EU project INQUIRE “Improving indoor air quality and health: identification of chemical and biological determinants, their sources, and strategies to promote healthier homes in Europe”. INQUIRE aims to find innovative actions to reduce harmful exposure in the home environment and positively impact the health of young children. The PhD project will specifically focus on two categories of exposure reducing factors: 1) products as sources for chemical exposure, and 2) behavior changes to reduce chemical exposure. Many consumer products (e.g. plastics, building materials, and furniture) contain large amounts of organic chemicals such as flame retardants, plasticizers, PFAS, and antioxidants, which can emit from these products and enter the indoor environment.

We are looking for someone with a background in analytical chemistry combined with affinity for health promotion. He/she will determine chemicals present in indoor dust and consumer products using non-target high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) screening approaches. One of the tasks is to collect dust and product samples from Dutch homes. Another task is to develop a fast screening approach based on HR-MS. The comprehensive information of chemicals in dust and products will be used in an exposure reducing  intervention. You will study, using questionnaires and interviews, the perceptions and attitudes towards indoor air quality and exposure reducing behaviors or technologies, but also determine the chemicals in dust before and after the intervention. Come join our team and make a meaningful impact on healthy living!

Your duties

  • Develop fast screening approach for chemicals in products using HR-MS
  • Apply non-target screening mass spectrometry to determine organic chemicals in dust and products from indoor and outdoor environments
  • Collect dust and products from Dutch homes
  • Design, implement and evaluate an exposure reducing behavior intervention
  • Assess parents’ perception and attitude towards indoor air exposure reducing behaviors and technologies.
  • Assist in writing protocols and reports

Requirements
  • master’s degree in analytical chemistry  
  • familiar with health sciences and health promotion or willing to acquire knowledge in this field
  • knowledge of and experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods
  • high energy multi-tasker with excellent organizational skills
  • ability to work independently, pro-actively and in collaboration with others
  • strong oral and written communication skills in English, in Dutch is a plus

What are we offering?

A challenging position in a socially involved organization. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts €2,541 (PhD) per month during the first year and increases to €3,247 (PhD) per month during the fourth year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 1.0 FTE.

The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, the contract will be extended to a total duration of 4 years.

The period of appointment is starting the 1st of June 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as:

  • a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge
  • contribution to commuting expenses
  • optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

About Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is home to more than 30,000 students. We employ over 5,500 individuals. The VU campus is easily accessible and located in the heart of Amsterdam’s Zuidas district, a truly inspiring environment for teaching and research.

Diversity
We are an inclusive university community. Diversity is one of our most important values. We believe that engaging in international activities and welcoming students and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds enhances the quality of our education and research. We are always looking for people who can enrich our world with their own unique perspectives and experiences.

The Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad.

Working at the Faculty of Science means working with students, PhD candidates and researchers, all with a clear focus on their field and a broad view of the world. We employ more than 1,250 staff members, and we are home to more than 11,000 students.

A-LIFE
The position is offered within the Amsterdam Institute of Life and Environment (A-LIFE) department at the Faculty of Science of the VU University Amsterdam. The position is in the section Chemistry for Environment & Health (CE&H) which covers three disciplines, i.e. analytical chemistry, toxicology and epidemiology.


Application

Are you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your detailed curriculum vitae and cover letter stating your motivation and background for applying for the project until

12 March 2023

. The applicants complying with the requirements will be invited for a personal interview on Wednesday 22nd of March 2023 (CET).

Applications received by e-mail will not be processed.

Vacancy questions
For further information about the scientific content please contact Prof.Dr. Pim Leonards ([email protected] ), Dr. Eva Sugeng ([email protected] ), Dr. Sicco Brandsma ([email protected] ).

No agencies



Similar Positions