The Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences (IRAS) is an interfacultary research institute from the Faculties Veterinary Medicine and Medicine, and the departments Biology and Pharmaceutical Sciences of the Science Faculty at the Utrecht University. The mission of IRAS is to provide research and education on human health risks of exposure to potentially harmful agents in the environment, at the workplace and through the food chain. IRAS has three research divisions. The Environmental Epidemiology division performs epidemiological research on respiratory, cardiovascular and carcinogenic health risks in relation to biological and chemical exposures. Within the Veterinary Public Health division research is conducted to identify and study possible adverse health effects from microbial and non-microbial agents occurring in food derived from the animal production process. Research within the Toxicology division covers the part of the risk assessment in which the availability and dose – adverse health effect relationships of toxic substances are studied. The aim of IRAS is to perform quality research with a high relevance for society.
The IRAS offers an enthusiastic and dynamic working environment for young scientists and has a vacant postdoc position.
Postdoc ESCAPE (1,0 fte)
Job description
You will be working within the Division of EEPI of IRAS, on the project
'European study of cohorts for air pollution effects (ESCAPE)'.
ESCAPE is a large international project designed to provide new data on the health effects of long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution. The project will provide important data for the (EU) policy on particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide. The study will add detailed air pollution exposure assessment to ongoing cohort studies in various EU countries. Monitoring of outdoor air pollution in 38 areas across Europe and collection of geographic information using GIS will be key components of the study. Endpoints that will be assessed include birth outcomes, cognitive development, development of asthma / COPD, cardiovascular disease and lung cancer / mortality. The project includes 25 partners from 14 EU countries and Taiwan. IRAS coordinates the study. The project is funded in the framework of the European Union Seventh Framework program.
Your tasks
You will play a central role in the scientific coordination of the project, under the direct guidance of the coordinator. Your work will include development of detailed study protocols for air pollution exposure monitoring campaigns; collection of GIS information and stochastic modelling; statistical analysis of concentration response relationships. Site visits to ensure correct application of protocols will be part of your tasks. Collaboration with scientists from various international research groups is an important component of your task. You will take the lead in producing the combined analysis papers allocated to IRAS. You will work in a team including IRAS staff, a PhD student and analytical personnel.
Qualifications
We are looking for an enthusiastic candidate with a PhD in preferably air pollution epidemiology.
You should have a documented thorough knowledge of environmental epidemiology, geographic information systems, air quality monitoring and statistics.
You should be able to communicate with other international scientists.
You should be prepared to travel and work irregular hours.
Excellent knowledge of English is required.
Terms of employment
We offer a temporary full time appointment of one year with the perspective of prolongation with another 3 years. The gross income is dependent on age and experience, but is between € 2,330.- and € 3,678.- (salary scale 10 Collaborative Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities) for a full time appointment.
Further details
For more information please contact prof. B. Brunekreef (030) 253 9490 b.brunekreef@uu.nl or dr. G. Hoek (030) 253 9498 g.hoek@uu.nl, who also might provide you with a full description of the project proposal.
How to apply
Respond in writing with a letter of motivation, curriculum vitae and addresses of 2 references before 4 May 2008 by e-mail to vacatures1@vet.uu.nl or by mail to the personnel department of the faculty of Veterinary Medicine, attn. Mrs. J.C.M. Schoonenberg, PO Box 80163, 3508 TD Utrecht. Please refer to vacancy number 12839 in your application.
Non EU – passport holders need not apply.
For more information about IRAS, please consult www.iras.uu.nl.
Publication date
11-04-2008
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