PhD research position: Unravelling exposome - immunome interactions

The Centre for Environment & Health is part of the Department of Public Health & Primary Care, of the group of Biomedical Science of KU Leuven. The Centre is composed of closely related laboratories, with convergent scientific and research interests in occupational and environmental hygiene and toxicology.

The interaction between environment and health in different age groups and settings is the main and common focus of the research of the Centre.

The Centre for Environment & Health has built an international expertise on clinical and epidemiological research in respiratory and occupational disorders.

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Project

Immune-mediated diseases (IMDs) and non-communicable diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, allergic diseases and asthma, are chronic disorders in which the immune system plays a pivotal role. The WHO (World Health Organization) has highlighted the seriousness of autoimmunity and its association with exposure to the environment. The association between – and biological mechanisms and pathways behind – multiple exposures pathogenesis and disease is not yet fully understood. In the EXPOSIM project, a large-scale EU project, we aim to unravel the complexity of the association and pathways between multiple environmental and occupational exposures – also known as the exposome – and (immune) disease/ health.

Profile

We are looking for a PhD candidate to study the exposome-immunome interactions in the context of the EXPOSIM project. You will conduct scientific research that is in line with the thematic focus of the research project, dealing with the following topics:

• Generating testable hypotheses for IMDs using adverse outcome pathways (AOPs)
• Investigating the biological mechanisms and pathways from exposome to immune health/ disease by performing lab work and integrating omics and exposure data using (web-based) tools
• Mapping knowledge into e.g. topical reviews on exposure-induced changes in biological processes towards the policy and regulatory framework.

Offer

We seek a motivated and skilled candidate with a master’s degree in biomedical science, bioengineering, bioinformatics or a related discipline. The ideal candidate:

• has an interest in and experience with exposome research, occupational and/or environmental exposure assessment, human health studies, …
• is experienced with in-depth qualitative research methods and is able to apply this to exposome research
• wet laboratory skills are a plus
• has a strong profile in text and data-mining and has a notion of omics data integration
• is willing to work in a highly multi-disciplinary environment
• had academic good performances on BSc and MSc levels (distinction needed for PhD track)
• can communicate complex issues effectively in both written and oral form
• can work independently, with good skills at organizing and planning own work.

The EXPOSIM project

Interested?

For more information please contact Mrs. Katrijn Broothaerts, tel.: +32 16 33 00 45, mail: [emailprotected] and Mr. Manosij Ghosh, tel.: +32 16 37 76 98, mail: [emailprotected].

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