PhD student in environmental chemistry - focus on toxicokinetic modeling - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

We are looking for a doctoral candidate with a master's degree in chemistry or (eco)toxicology or equivalent qualifications and a particular interest in environmental chemistry, computational chemistry and(eco)toxicology. You will work in an international collaborative project focusing on the development of a tool aiming at decreased use of animal tests. Application deadline is April 5, 2018.

The doctoral position is linked to the project “Development of a tool based on toxicokinetic modeling for estimation of dose at target and extrapolation of cell based data to intact organisms” involving environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, toxicology and computational chemistry. The project focus on a so-called adverse outcome pathway for endocrine disruption and will combine toxicokinetics with structure-activity relationship modelling and studies in cell based bioassays and zebrafish embryos.

Tasks
Your mission will be to develop a predictive tool combining physiologically based toxicokinetic (PBTK) modelling with quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modelling aiming at estimating dose at the biological target. Your tasks include selection and identification of candidate chemicals for biotesting, receptor interaction studies, and read-across and structure-activity modelling. It also includes development of chemical analytical methodologies for determination of dose in the biotesting systems using chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection. In the development of the PBTK model you will estimate chemical property data, partitioning coefficients between various tissues and biomatrices, metabolic rate constants, and use and analyze data from various endpoints and species. In summary, you will work with chemical and computational methods but also be involved in biotests using mainly cell based systems.

Qualifications
To be admitted for studies at third-cycle level you are required to have completed a second-cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level or have an equivalent education from abroad, or equivalent qualifications.

To fulfil the specific entry requirements to be admitted for studies at third-cycle level in chemistry, you are required to have completed first-cycle courses of at least 90 ECTS credits within the field of chemistry or another subject considered to be directly relevant to the specialization in question. Of those 90 ECTS credits, at least 15 ECTS credits shall have been acquired at second-cycle level within the specialization or an equivalent subject.

You are interested in environmental chemistry, computational chemistry and/or (eco)toxicology. You must have at least 15 ECTS credits in environmental chemistry, environmental analytical chemistry, (eco)toxicology or equivalent at advanced level. Practical experience in computational chemistry, chemometrics, pharmacokinetics, toxicokinetics, and biotesting are also considered valuable assets. Experience of programming or software for advanced data evaluation (R, Python, MATLAB, Simca, KNIME, PBPK, PBTK, ADME, QSAR etc.) is desirable, but not mandatory. As a person, you are careful and able to work independently. Good oral and written proficiency in English is also required.

Terms of employment
The appointment aims at a PhD degree and the main task of the PhD student is to pursue their doctoral studies, which includes participation in research projects as well as postgraduate courses. In the assignments, teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20%) can be included. The employment is limited to four years full-time or up to five years when part-time teaching. The salary placement takes place according to the established salary level for doctoral employment.

Application
The application must contain a cover letter stating why you are interested in the position, a resume, certified copies of grades and certificates, as well as names and contact information for at least two reference persons. You apply through our e-recruitment system. Log in and apply through the button at the bottom of the page. The deadline for applications is April 5, 2018.

Other information
Further information can be obtained from Professor Patrik Andersson, phone: +4690-786 5266, e-mail: patrik.andersson@chem.umu.se.

The Department of Chemistry is one of the largest departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology with approximately 200 employees, of which approximately 50 graduate students, and a strong and expanding research. The Department has three major research areas: Biological Chemistry, Environmental and Biogeochemistry, and Technical Chemistry. We are active in three of the priority research areas of the Faculty of Science and Technology and are a strong partner in the KBC, Chemical-Biological Center. Information about the postgraduate education can be found on the Faculty of Science and Technology website: http://www.teknat.umu.se/english/doctoral-studies/. For more information about working at Umeå University, https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/