PhD multidisciplinary population research

Functie­omschrijving

Are you eager to innovate population-based research by assessing the impact of multiple exposures on the health of the Dutch population? Check out this job vacancy.

Aim of the project

The Dutch Institute for Public Health and the Environment works towards a healthy population and a healthy living environment. To this end, RIVM investigates both the risk of exposures to the health of the Dutch population as well as factors that promote population health. We are continuously exposed to many different substances, amongst others infectious agents, pollutants and exposure related to our lifestyle.

This PhD-project is part of a larger project with the overall aim to deliver a framework for performing a population study integrating health, environmental exposures, dietary exposures, biomonitoring and infectious disease disciplines.

The PhD tract focusses on analyses on an existing database of the PIENTER3 population survey (N~7500), including an extensive dataset of environmental variables linked to the home addresses of the study participants. The participants also donated samples which will be used to measure biomarkers that related to different exposures. These analyses will be done on both swab samples from the upper airways and serum . The combination of epidemiological data and measurements in samples will allow us to increase our understanding of how exposures impact health.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• With the team, formulate research questions, develop a scientific and experimental plan to answer the research questions and plan your work accordingly;
• Design an analysis plan based on the research questions and possibilities of available samples and metadata, and perform the analysis;
• Construct a database with population data, measurement data and relevant other data that can be used to answer the research question(s);
• Perform standardized laboratory measurements for biological effect markers on human samples;
• Engage in discussions to prepare a framework for future integrated population health research;
• Write scientific papers and a PhD thesis on the findings.

Unique tot his job

You will be working on a unique dataset with extensive questionnaire and environmental data. Because the data will be supplemented with biomarker measurements in the upper airways and blood the impact of exposures on human health can be assessed. In addition, the PhD project is designed to also provide clues for potential causality or mechanisms making it innovative by nature. You will be working with experts from different fields in a multi-disciplinary team.

You will be appointed at

You will be appointed at the Dutch Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM. RIVM works towards a healthy population and a sustainable, safe and healthy environment. RIVM pursues those goals based on independent scientific research. Working with our commissioning clients, we identify the research that is needed and conduct studies accordingly. We provide advice to the government, to professionals and to members of the public, and share our knowledge. This is how RIVM supports society in staying healthy and keeping our environment healthy.

You will work with a multidisciplinary supervision team with experts from Centre for Sustainability, Environment and Health, The Centre for Immunology of Infectious Disease and Vaccines, and the Centre for Health Protection. Expertises cover the performance of population research, environmental quality, laboratory research and data analyses. We foster an informal work culture with an open atmosphere for ad hoc discussions. We offer a social environment with multidisciplinary teams and an informal structure. For PhD candidates, RIVM offers the promovendi network RIVM (Proneri) to connect with other PhD candidates at the institute.

Functie-eisen

• You care about the health and the living environment of the Dutch population;
• You have a (bio)technical, bioinformatics or (bio-)medical MSc degree or related;
• You have affinity with complex data-analyses and population-based studies, including familiarity with high-dimensional data and multivariable models, preferably using R;
• You have experience in laboratory work and will be able to perform standardized assays such as ELISA or multiplex assays;
• You’re able to quickly learn to interact with researchers from different disciplines. Working in a multidisciplinary team gives you energy and motivates you;
• A candidate enthusiastic to embark on an innovative project;
• You have good written and verbal communication skills English, verbal communication in Dutch is appreciated.