PhD Studentship - Assess the Exposure and Health Effects of Pesticides
- Employer
- University of Basel
- Location
- Basel, Switzerland
- Closing date
- May 28, 2021
View more
- Sector
- Science, Agriculture, Aquaculture and Food Science, Fisheries
- Hours
- Full Time
- Organization Type
- University and College
- Jobseeker Type
- Academic (e.g. 'Lecturer')
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The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) is a world-leading institute in global health with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries. Associated with the University of Basel, Swiss TPH combines research, services, and education and training at the local, national and international level. About 850 people from more than 80 nations work at Swiss TPH focusing on infectious and non-communicable diseases, environment, society and health as well as health systems and interventions.
The Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH), within Swiss TPH, develops and applies epidemiological, statistical and mathematical methods to advance innovation, validation and application in the field of public health. Within the Ecosystem Health Sciences Unit of EPH we are currently looking for a committed and enthusiastic: PhD Student to assess exposure and health effects of pesticides.
About the Research Project
The position is linked to the Transformation in Pesticide Governance (TRAPEGO) project) which is funded under the Sinergia programme of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF; project partner institutions: University of Bern, Swiss TPH, eawag, ETH Zürich and FiBL. The TRAPEGO project aims to assess the potential for sustainable transformation of Swiss agriculture with a specific focus on negative externalities for environmental and public health that stem from pesticide use. The project is an inter- and transdisciplinary endeavor involving epidemiologists, political scientists, agronomists, environmental scientists, decision- and media-analysts, and experts in transdisciplinary science. Swiss TPH will lead the human exposure and health assessment components of the project, aiming to assess exposure levels and sources for commonly used pesticides in selected population subgroups and to assess
their association with wellbeing and health symptoms. This is done through innovative health science research comparing cohorts of farming and rural non-farming families.
Your position
Main tasks of the PhD candidate are anticipated to be as follows:
Your profile
MSc in epidemiology, public health-related disciplines or in environmental/agricultural science with a particular interest in epidemiology and public health. Strong social and communication skills are a requirement. Interest to work in a multi-disciplinary team with a focus on Swiss agriculture. Knowledge in biostatics and practical experience in data analysis using statistical software (e.g. R, Stata) are an asset. Laboratory skills are an asset. Very good German and English skills (both written and spoken) are a requirement. Additional language skills such as French and Italian are an asset. Driving license (accepted in Switzerland) is a requirement.
We offer you
We offer a challenging and exciting research opportunity in an interdisciplinary team on a topic with high public health and economic relevance for Switzerland and beyond. The PhD is done within a doctoral program of the University Basel and the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+). The salary scheme is according to SNSF.
The Department of Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH), within Swiss TPH, develops and applies epidemiological, statistical and mathematical methods to advance innovation, validation and application in the field of public health. Within the Ecosystem Health Sciences Unit of EPH we are currently looking for a committed and enthusiastic: PhD Student to assess exposure and health effects of pesticides.
About the Research Project
The position is linked to the Transformation in Pesticide Governance (TRAPEGO) project) which is funded under the Sinergia programme of the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF; project partner institutions: University of Bern, Swiss TPH, eawag, ETH Zürich and FiBL. The TRAPEGO project aims to assess the potential for sustainable transformation of Swiss agriculture with a specific focus on negative externalities for environmental and public health that stem from pesticide use. The project is an inter- and transdisciplinary endeavor involving epidemiologists, political scientists, agronomists, environmental scientists, decision- and media-analysts, and experts in transdisciplinary science. Swiss TPH will lead the human exposure and health assessment components of the project, aiming to assess exposure levels and sources for commonly used pesticides in selected population subgroups and to assess
their association with wellbeing and health symptoms. This is done through innovative health science research comparing cohorts of farming and rural non-farming families.
Your position
Main tasks of the PhD candidate are anticipated to be as follows:
- To contribute to the development of the study protocol for subsequent submission for ethical clearance
- To prepare the ground for the fieldwork activities with Swiss farmers, their families and neighboring communities
- To collect pesticide exposure and health data using different pesticide exposure assessment tools such as questionnaires, silicon wristbands and urinary biomarkers
- To be part of the analysis of the samples collected in the laboratory with a possible exchange visit at Wageningen University in the Netherlands
- To learn and apply exposom data analysis techniques
- To understand and interpret cumulative exposure to multiple pesticides over time and its implication for the health of farmers and their families in Switzerland
- To write scientific papers
- To present results at conferences and meetings
- To assist in project coordination
Your profile
MSc in epidemiology, public health-related disciplines or in environmental/agricultural science with a particular interest in epidemiology and public health. Strong social and communication skills are a requirement. Interest to work in a multi-disciplinary team with a focus on Swiss agriculture. Knowledge in biostatics and practical experience in data analysis using statistical software (e.g. R, Stata) are an asset. Laboratory skills are an asset. Very good German and English skills (both written and spoken) are a requirement. Additional language skills such as French and Italian are an asset. Driving license (accepted in Switzerland) is a requirement.
We offer you
We offer a challenging and exciting research opportunity in an interdisciplinary team on a topic with high public health and economic relevance for Switzerland and beyond. The PhD is done within a doctoral program of the University Basel and the Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+). The salary scheme is according to SNSF.
- Motivation letter
- CV
- Reference Letters if available and Diploma
- Names and contact information (e-mail or phone) of 3 reference persons
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