PhD in environmental epidemiology: chemical contaminants and reproductive health

Interested in environmental health and epidemiology? Join our PhD project studying how everyday chemical exposures may affect reproductive health. Work at the intersection of exposure science, epidemiology, and reproductive research.

PhD project in environmental epidemiology: chemical contaminants and reproductive health

Your function

Humans are exposed to a wide range of chemicals in daily life through food, indoor and outdoor air, and consumer products used on the body, in the home, and in the workplace. Some of these chemicals—including plastic additives and PFAS—disrupt the normal function of hormones (i.e., endocrine-disrupting chemicals) and can cause reproductive health problems and perturb child development. Growing evidence links several classes of chemicals to accelerated or delayed puberty, disruptions in menstrual cycles, impaired fertility, early menopause, and multiple child and adolescent health outcomes. However, major knowledge gaps remain, including underlying causal mechanisms, sensitive windows of exposure, and factors that increase susceptibility. In addition, only a limited number of chemicals have been investigated from the broad set circulating in the body, with sparse data on chemical mixtures.

Our research group investigates how chemical contaminants impact reproductive and developmental health in human populations. We focus on epidemiological analyses that strengthen causal inference, integrate mechanistic and biomarker-based data, and aim to generate evidence that is relevant for chemical risk assessment and regulatory decision-making.

In this PhD project, you will work with Dutch cohort studies to combine chemical exposure measurements with rich data on reproductive, child and adolescent health, as well as potential mediators and effect modifiers. You will also investigate predictors of chemical body burdens and inequalities in chemical exposures.

Your findings will provide actionable evidence to support the development of chemical safety policies, safer consumer products, and safer healthcare systems and advisories from healthcare professionals. They will contribute to the broader research fields of exposome science and planetary health.

Your duties

• Data analysis of existing cohort data using R, including modelling of exposure–health outcome associations, mediation and effect modification analyses, and approaches to assess mixtures of chemicals.
• Engaging relevant stakeholders and collaborators.
• Following a PhD training programme according to the VU Doctoral Regulations (30 ECTS), including courses offered by EpidM and the Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute.
• Reporting scientific results at conferences and preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and your dissertation.
• Contributing to teaching in the BSc Health and Life Sciences (Gezondheid en Leven) programme (maximum 10% of your time).

You will also have ample opportunities for professional development throughout your PhD trajectory, including access to a wide range of courses and the possibility to attend conferences and symposia. You will be part of the Amsterdam Public Health (APH) Research Institute and be part of active PhD communities at A-LIFE and APH which organize activities such as writing retreats.

Your profile

We are looking for a motivated candidate with:

• An MSc in Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Health, or a related field.
• Knowledge of and experience with quantitative research methods.
• Affinity with data analysis.
• Experience with (environmental) epidemiology, exposure science, longitudinal data analysis, or coding in R is considered an asset but is not required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and proactively.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of € 3.059,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• an employment contract of initially 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.
• attractive fringe benefits and arrangements, including 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus, contribution to commuting expenses, a solid pension scheme (ABP), and access to sports facilities at a modest charge

About us

A-LIFE

This PhD position will be hosted in the Environmental Health & Toxicology section of the department of the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE) in the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

The Environmental Health & Toxicology (EH&T) section focuses on understanding the impacts of environmental contaminants on human health and the environment, bringing together expertise in toxicology, epidemiology, exposure science, and human health risk assessment. The EH&T section works in close collaboration with the Chemistry for Environment and Health (CE&H) section, including for exposure assessment.