PhD position: Safety of inhaled toxicants using biological mechanisms

New technologies and knowledge create possibilities to assess safety of chemical substances with other methods than by animal experimentation. Are you interested to contribute to the transition to animal-free innovations in risk assessment? Are you passionate about computational modelling of biological processes, interested in the toxicological effects of inhaled substances? Then this PhD position might be perfect for you!

RIVM in Bilthoven is seeking a motivated candidate for a 36-hour per week PhD position focused on the safety of inhaled toxicants. The research will investigate biological mechanisms to better understand the effects of inhaled substances on human health.

The department

In this position you will be appointed at the Department of Innovative Testing Strategies, of the Centre for Health Protection at the RIVM. In this department, 20 colleagues (scientists, technicians and PhD candidates) work on human-relevant test methods and strategies to assess adverse health effects of chemical substances and materials. We are active in scientific committees that assess the applicability of new methods for regulatory purposes. We advise policymakers on topics like next-generation-risk-assessment and transition to animal-free innovations.

Your project is part of the research project VIOLIN, a collaboration with Maastricht University, where you will also defend your thesis at the end of the project. There, you will be affiliated at the faculty of Health, Medicine and Life sciences (FHML), specifically the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, in which the group of Dr. Carlier focuses on computational modelling of biological processes.

Your primary workplace will be at the RIVM, and you will also maintain a strong connection with Maastricht University by regularly working at that location.

About the role

• Conduct research on the biological mechanisms underlying the effects of inhaled toxicants, with a focus on the effects caused by NO2 leading to persistent inflammation as an intermediate step in the development of respiratory health effects.
• Build and extend an existing Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) for NO2-induced respiratory inflammation based on available data on toxicological effects and biological processes.
• Construct a Bayesian model to quantify relations between steps in the biological process, and collect in vitro experimental data to improve model prediction.
• Work within a multidisciplinary team of experts in toxicology, biology, agent-based and Bayesian modelling, and public health.
• Contribute to the development of innovative, animal-free methods for assessing the safety of inhaled substances, and bridge disciplines such as clinical science, pathology, immunology, and epidemiology.
• Present findings at scientific conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.

Unique for this position

In this PhD project you can work on a societally relevant topic using cutting-edge scientific approaches. The collaboration between RIVM and MERLN offers you the chance to perform your research in renowned organisations in the field of health and safety. RIVM has a unique position in the field of innovations in toxicology and animal-free research, with direct links to policy makers and involvement in many international research projects. MERLN is part of Maastricht University and brings together an international community of researchers from a wide range of disciplines, including computational modelling to tackle complex challenges in regenerative medicine.

What we offer

• Opportunity to contribute to important public health research on the safety of inhaled toxicants and animal-free innovations.
• Supportive and collaborative working environment in an interdisciplinary team.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities at both RIVM and Maastricht University.
• Guidance and supervision from experienced researchers.
• Employment contract for a fixed term of 4 years (36 hours per week).
• During the PhD trajectory, your salary is determined in accordance with the Dutch Public Service Classification System (FGR) as follows: In the first year, €3,246.16 gross per month (scale 8, step 0). In the second year, scale 8, step 5. In the third year, scale 8, step 7. In the fourth year, scale 8, step 8.
• In addition to your salary, you will receive an Individueel Keuzebudget (IKB) of 16.5% of your gross annual salary, which you can use for extra leave, monthly payouts, or fiscally friendly purposes.
• Secondary benefits include various study facilities, company fitness, full reimbursement of public transport commuting costs, and partially paid parental leave.
• RIVM values personal growth and career development, offering numerous opportunities for advancement.

Requirements and competences for the position

• A MSc degree in Toxicology, Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, or a related field, with experience and/or affinity with mathematical biology, computational mathematics, or artificial intelligence.
• Highly motivated to understand biological processes and translate those into computational models.
• Affinity with complex data analysis and diverse sources of toxicological and biological data. Experience with R is considered a plus.
• Strong interest in inhalation toxicology and public health.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, both written and verbal, in English at a level appropriate to scientific research. Verbal communication in Dutch is appreciated.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others in a multidisciplinary field, with a proactive attitude.
• Experience in the lab, or with cell culturing and toxicological research, is considered a plus.
• Certain vaccinations are required to be allowed to work in the laboratory.