Assessment of risks from combined exposures to radiation and chemicals.

3-year-funded PhD Studentship:
Assessment of risks from combined exposures to radiation and chemicals.

A 3-year fully funded PhD studentship is available in the College of Health and Life Sciences at Brunel University London.

A studentship is being offered in the Environment and Health Theme to join a new team setting up the Centre for Health Effects of Radiological and Chemical Agents (CHRC), the aim of which is to explore the health impact of radiological and chemical agents on military personnel and their families. Funded by the Nuclear Community Charity Fund, CHRC will initially be devoted to support the needs of the aged nuclear community and their families by exploring the health impact of participation at the nuclear weapons test sites in the 1950s and 1960s. CHRC will involve a multi-disciplinary team of social scientists, biologists and toxicologists and will carry out research for translation into evidence-based advice, education and support for potentially affected communities.

Very little is known about combined genotoxic effects of different types of ionising radiation and chemical carcinogens. However, there is the possibility that radiation might lead to heightened sensitivity to chemical carcinogens, or that pre-existing chemical exposures might increase the sensitivity to radiation. There is evidence from studies of radon cancer risks among smokers that radiation and chemical exposures combined lead to increased cancer risks, but more systematic studies are needed to elucidate the magnitude of combined effects and to better define the joint risks.

This studentship will conduct proof of concept experiments with cultured cells which will reveal whether combined genotoxic effects between radiation and chemical exposures can occur in principle. This approach will enable us to establish basic cell biological principles which will provide a solid foundation for examining whether combined risks exist under more realistic exposure scenarios. We will exploit a predictive approach which we have established in mixture experiments with genotoxic chemicals. This approach requires that the mixture components (chemicals and radiation) as well as the mixture itself are evaluated in relation to a common adverse outcome (e.g. micronuclei, chromosome translocations) to enable detailed dose-response analyses. These studies will put the assessment of the risks from combined exposures to radiation and chemicals on a sound footing and will set the scene for evaluations of realistic exposures.

The project will start on 1st January 2018 and will be based at the Brunel University London (Uxbridge) and will be supervised Professor Andreas Kortenkamp and Dr Rhona Anderson. The student will be trained in cell culture techniques, cytogenetics, dosimetry and experimental approaches to evaluating mixture effects and will develop a valuable set of technical and theoretical expertise that will boost a successful career as independent scientist.

This studentship is fully funded by CHRC and covers a generous tax-free stipend and full UK/EU tuition fees which amounts to £21,500 per annum, with annual rises of £1000 per year, for 3 years.

Candidates are required to be UK-based and must ensure they fully meet the eligibility criteria of Brunel University London. We are looking for an enthusiastic and high-calibre candidate with an interest in radiation health effects and the combined effects of chemical exposures. The project would be suited to a student with a minimum of a 2:1 Honours degree in the life sciences, or similar disciplines. Master qualification in the life sciences correlated disciplines is highly desirable. If you are a non-native speaker and have not been awarded a degree by a University in the UK, you must demonstrate English language skills to IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.0 in any section).

Informal enquiries are most welcome and should be sent to Professor Andreas Kortenkamp [Email Address Removed]. If you wish to apply, please e-mail [Email Address Removed] by 17 Nov with the following;
• An up-to-date CV
• A single-page A4 single-spaced covering letter setting out why you are a suitable candidate
• Names and contact details for two referees
• A copy of your highest degree certificate and transcript
• A copy of your English language qualification (where applicable)

Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview on week commencing 27th November.