PhD student (doktorand) in Genetic Occupational and Environmental Medicine - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Research Group

Professor Karin Broberg leads the research group Genetic Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine. Our research group focuses on how exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) increases the risk of cancer, especially lung cancer. Minimizing this risk requires accurate, current information on Cr(VI) exposure and its health effects, as well as an understanding of how workers and managers perceive and implement risk management measures. We will measure markers of short-term and long-term Cr(VI) exposure in exposed workers and controls. Exposure data will be supplemented with early biological effect data: we will measure sensitive markers for Cr(VI)-related toxicity, i.e. chromosome damage, genetic and epigenetic modifications, oxidative stress. Exposure data and biological effect data will be compared with a Danish Cr(VI) exposed cohort. We will also investigate risk perception in the participating companies. This project thus lays the foundation for guidelines and best practices on how to work safely with Cr(VI) to minimize exposure and disease. Read more about our research here. 

Within the research group, we strive to create a creative and stimulating work environment and to promote new ideas and independent thinking.

We are hereby looking for an ambitious doctoral student who will work in the doctoral project "Occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and its toxicity". The employment is limited to 4 years on a full-time basis with the desired date of entry on 1 November 2021 or by agreement.

Work duties and area of expertise

In this project, tasks include measuring CrVI in red blood cells and urine via mass spectrometry, measuring biomarkers for cancer, statistical modeling of data, literature studies, interpretation and summary of the data in scientific publications.

The doctoral student must actively participate in seminars and other relevant meetings and present the project at meetings in accordance with the study plan. Work with animal models is not included. The doctoral student has his or her own responsibility to:

• Seek contact with the colleagues who best support a discussion about the results
• Find ways for career support
• Formulate, develop and optimize the ways for communication with supervisors and colleagues that best promote the doctoral student's work methods and qualifications

Qualifications

The position requires:

• Master's degree in toxicology, biology, genetics, molecular biology, biomedicine, environmental and health sciences, MD or equivalent
• Very good writing and reading comprehension
• Very good English in speech and writing
• Documented experience of laboratory work

Great emphasis will be placed on personal qualities. The successful applicant takes initiatives and is independent. It is required that you are good at collaborating. In addition, the tasks require that you are organized and have the ability to prioritize your tasks.

Desirable for the position is:

• Previous laboratory experience in genetics or chemistry
• Previous experience of occupational and environmental medicine
• Knowledge in statistics
• Knowledge of Swedish in speech and writing

Instructions for the application

The application must contain a personal letter in which you describe how you meet the desired qualifications, a CV and diploma.

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.