PhD: Genetics (exposome, microbiome, metabolomics)
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with a focus on exposome, microbiome and metabolomics to work in Exposome-NL consortium funded by NWO Gravitation program to study the effects of environmental factors (pollution, urbanicity, dietary and lifestyle habits, social interactions) on human health, with a particular focus on a microbiome and metabolomics as readouts/markers of environmental stressors and mediators of environmental effects on human health.
Project aim
The exposome is concept that aims to capture the combined cumulative exposure of environmental stressors to individuals throughout their lifespan. It is estimated that 70% of all chronic disease burden are determined by exposome, with only 30% are dependent on individualās genetic makeup. This provides an opportunity to estimate the risk for diseases by knowing the individualsā exposures, and to prevent that by modifying personās individual exposome.
Exposome-NL is a Dutch consortium of over fifty scientists from different disciplines, universities and medical centres. Within this consortium, UMCG team focuses on studying the coherence between exposome and internal human environment, such as gut microbiome and metabolites. We build the research upon Lifelines biobank, the large prospective cohort that comprises more than 150,000 citizens of the Northern Netherlands.
We aim to identify the effects of cumulative environmental stressors (e.g. pollutant chemicals, air pollution, noise pollution, socio-economic and demographic neighbourhood, and many other exposome factors) on human gut microbiome, metabolites circulating in body fluids, and other omics data. This work will mainly focus on the analysis of longitudinal microbiome datasets in large population cohorts. We combine the state-of-art exposome methodology, omics data expertise, and advanced statistical methodology to evaluate the individualsā exposures to certain exposome parameters, and further build a network of exposome-omics interactions.
Some papers describing the concepts and methods of exposome research in relation to human health
Papers describing the microbiome and exposome work of our team:
Working environment
The position will be embedded at the department of Genetics at the University Medical Center Groningen. The University of Groningen is a top 100 University that has built a reputation for world-class research. You will follow courses and do research in small groups where personal interaction with your supervisor is an important part of your education. As a result, our students design their research and their program to meet their own personal interests.
What do we need
Required Expertise
- Masterās degree or equivalent, preferably with a focus on of the following topics: Bioinformatics, Statistics, Microbiology, Chemistry, Environmental sciences
- A collaborative spirit to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team
- Excellent organizational and networking skills
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
Additional experience in the following areas is highly desirable
- Knowledge on the human microbiome and metabolomics
- Knowledge and experience on exposome
- Experience handling large databases
- Knowledge of developing and debugging in R or Python
What do we offer
The PhD student position is for a duration of 4 years, with an initial contract of one year followed by an extension, based on performance. The candidate will be provided with a stimulating work environment and opportunities for professional development within the field of infectious disease diagnostics. Your salary will be a minimum of ā¬ 3.017,- gross per month in the first year and a maximum of ā¬ 3.824,- gross per month (scale PRO) in the final (4th) year, based on a full-time appointment. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).
To apply, kindly utilize the digital application. Only submissions made through this form will be considered, or until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, please submit a complete application consisting of a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the contact details of two professional references We are looking forward to your application and the possibility of you joining our team to contribute to this groundbreaking research endeavour.
