PhD position in Environmental Science focusing on Toxicology

Project description

Exposure to quartz dust in the workplace is very widespread, and currently affects over 200,000 employees in Sweden. Quartz dust is formed, for example, when processing various types of stone, brick, concrete, etc. and constitutes a work environment risk when inhaled. In recent years, there have been several alarms about hazardous dust during professional processing of artificial stone with high quartz contents. Despite extensive research, detailed knowledge is lacking about which properties of quartz particles give rise to their harmful effects.

This project will focus on determining the chemical and toxic properties of various quartz particles in order to find connections between them. A model of human lung cells, a so-called Air-Liquid Interface (ALI) system, will be used to investigate the toxicity of the particles. In the system, cultured lung cells are directly exposed to airborne particles in a manner that resembles the conditions when particles are inhaled. The system can therefore investigate airborne fresh particles directly from a dusty process.

The particles entering the ALI system will therefore in principle have the same properties as they have when inhaled by a human. How harmful the particles are may depend on the particle size, content, surface properties, etc. The lung cells will be exposed to both fresh and aged particles directly in the ALI system or via collected particles. The harmful effects of the particles, such as the ability to induce cell death, inflammatory markers, oxidative stress and DNA damage, will be investigated. At the same time, the chemical reactivity of the particles will be determined using several analytical methods.

This doctoral position is advertised at the Department of Environmental Science at Stockholm University and is led by Associate Professor Karine Elihn. The project involves collaborations with partners from other universities. The doctoral student will therefore collaborate with researchers from Uppsala University, among others, and will also periodically work there. The ability to express yourself well in spoken and written English is required.

Eligibility requirements

To be admitted to doctoral studies, the applicant must have basic and specific eligibility requirements. The eligibility requirements must be met before admission.

You have basic eligibility if you have completed a degree at advanced level, or have completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits (ECs), of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at advanced level, or have otherwise acquired essentially equivalent knowledge within or outside the country.

Special eligibility for doctoral education in environmental science requires that at least 45 credits at advanced level must be in one of the subject areas of biology, chemistry, earth science, physics or meteorology, of which an independent project of at least 30 credits. In addition, the applicant should have at least 30 credits in natural science subjects other than the major subject.

Selection

Selection of applicants is made based on their ability to benefit from postgraduate education. Criteria used to assess this ability are:

• documented subject knowledge relevant to the research area
• analytical and creative thinking
• own initiative
• autonomy
• cooperation skills
• ability to express yourself verbally and in writing in English
• particular importance will be placed on the applicant’s knowledge and experience in cell culture and experimental toxicology
• Experience with statistical methods for analyzing experimental data is an advantage.

Admission procedure for doctoral education at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student in accordance with Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The employment period may not be longer than the equivalent of four years of full-time doctoral education. As a doctoral student, you will primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20%).

A new appointment as a doctoral student is valid for a maximum of one year, and the appointment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace that is free from discrimination and provides equal rights and opportunities for everyone.

Contact

Further information is available from Associate Professor Karine Elihn, tel. +46 8-674 77 63, Karine.Elihn@aces.su.se.

Application

You apply for the doctoral position via Stockholm University’s recruitment system. Attach a cover letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. As an applicant, you are responsible for ensuring that the application is complete in accordance with the advertisement and that it reaches the university by the application deadline.

Instructions for applicants can be found on the website: applying for a job.

Stockholm University contributes to the development of a sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the search for truth.