The Veterinary and Comparative Pharmacology Group of the Institute of Risk Assessment Sciences at Utrecht University is looking for a PhD candidate to contribute to the development of computational approaches to the toxicological risk assessment of cardiotoxic chemicals.
As our PhD candidate you will develop physiologically-based kinetic (PBK) models and other computational approaches to analyze, synthesize and extrapolate toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic data generated by new approach methodologies (NAMs) for chemical risk assessment. You will be part of an international multi-disciplinary team that uses innovative in vitro, -omics and computational approaches to study the effects of chemicals on cardiac tissue. One of your tasks will be to perform a systematic review and integrate toxicological evidence from the literature to identify chemical compounds, associated with adverse cardiovascular health outcomes. Your focus will be to develop mechanistic, biologically based models that predict chemical concentrations at target sites in the body (reverse dosimetry), and in such a manner that in silico and in vivo data can be extrapolated to in vivo exposure scenarios and case studies.
Qualifications
You are/have:
- an MSc degree in life sciences, biology, toxicology, pharmacology, (veterinary) medicine or a relevant related field;
- excellent English proficiency (both written and spoken);
- a strong computational and analytical background with experience in using common modeling and statistical software (e.g., Matlab, R, Berkley Madonna, Phoenix, Monolix or NONMEM);
- persistent, curious, meticulous, willing to learn and you understand the bigger picture.
Offer
You will be offered a temporary position (1.0 FTE) for a period of four years. The gross salary ranges between €2,395 in the first year and €3,061 in the fourth year of employment (scale P according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions external link (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University external linkcan be found here.
About the organisation
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University external link, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine external linkhas a unique position in the Netherlands. Not only is this the only institution where Veterinarians are trained, but is also where Researchers are working together on innovative scientific research. In addition, the faculty provides specialist clinical care in the largest academic veterinary hospital in Europe. Thanks to this position, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is a point of contact for all veterinary matters, both nationally and increasingly internationally. The faculty employs approximately 900 Veterinarians, Scientists and support staff and counts 1,500 students.
The Comparative and Veterinary Pharmacology Group is embedded in the Institute of Risk Assessment Sciences, an interfaculty research institute. The ALTERNATIVE project is funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 Green Europe programme. The project aims to develop an innovative platform to detect the cardiotoxicity of chemicals and their biotransformation products that will allow regulators to identify, quantify and prevent cardiotoxic co-exposures to industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals in a cost-effective way. ALTERNATIVE will focus particularly on cardiotoxic effects on older people, which is highly relevant in view of the ageing EEU population and the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases.
Additional information
For more information about this position, please contact:
Ronette Gehring external link(Professor of Veterinary Pharmacotherapy and Pharmacy), via r.gehring@uu.nl. external link
Apply
Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the button below.
Due to the coronavirus, interviews will be conducted by video calling.
The application deadline is 15 November 2021.