PhD in exposome - immunome research

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.

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 two large-scale European projects, 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.

We are looking for a PhD candidate to study the exposome-immunome interactions in the context of the abovementioned projects. 

You will conduct scientific research that is in line with the thematic focus of the research project, dealing with the following topics:

• Knowledge mapping of the policy and regulatory framework and state of research, including topical reviews on exposure-induced changes in biological processes and the effectiveness of exposure-reducing interventions affecting immune health.
• Generating testable hypotheses for IMDs using adverse outcome pathways (AOPs)
• Investigating the biological mechanisms and pathways from exposome to immune health/ disease by integrating omics and exposure data using (web-based) tools

Profile

We seek a motivated and skilled candidate with a master’s degree in biomedical science, bioengineering 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
• 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.

Offer

We offer a full-time doctoral position, initially for one year, which can be prolonged after a positive evaluation by the doctoral committee for up to four years in total.  In addition to your research, you will assist with the management and coordination of the project(s), especially during your first year (±15-20% of your time).

Candidates will be encouraged and coached to apply for competitive personal fellowships (FWO).

The start date for this position is around 1 November 2024 but will depend on the candidate’s availability and HR workflows. Minor changes to this start date can be discussed.

EXIMIOUS H2020 project

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Peter Hoet, tel.: +32 16 33 01 97, mail: peter.hoet@kuleuven.be or Mrs. Katrijn Broothaerts, tel.: +32 16 33 00 45, mail: katrijn.broothaerts@kuleuven.be.

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