QUEENS UNIVERSITY BELFAST
Call for Post Doctoral Researcher to work on a project entitled:
“Endocrine disruptors – Toxic food contaminants posing a modern day health risk?”
Summary
The Food Safety Group within the Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use at Queens University Belfast is calling for a researcher to join with them in a two year Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship proposal.
This ‘Marie-Curie Action’ aims to support experienced researchers at various stages of their career, helping them in acquiring new research skills (multi or interdisciplinary) or to undertake intersectoral experiences and developing their careers.
Description of the project:
The harmful effects of toxic chemical contaminants such as the endocrine disrupters in food represent a major health problem in every society. Contamination occurs from many sources such as man (pesticides, plasticisers, chemical waste and drugs) and plants (phytoestrogens). The body’s own endocrines (hormones) and nuclear receptors regulate critical cellular processes such as cell growth and differentiation and metabolic processes.
Endocrine disrupting agents, acting through nuclear receptors, are thus involved in many detrimental pathological processes. Health risks vary according to particular groups; adults (cancer and infertility), children(premature puberty, malformations of sexual organs and reduced intelligence). Bioaccumulation can occur from as early as in the womb and studies have linked the most damaging effects of these contaminants with exposure at early developmental stages. To date many studies have focused on the effect of exposure to single contaminants at high levels. It is more likely that we are exposed on a daily basis to a combination of low dose contaminants and the potential for synergistic exposure may be a health risk that has not been fully investigated. Extensive research efforts must be undertaken to assess the health risks posed by low-level synergistic and accumulative effects of these contaminants in our diet.
Project plan
• Development of reporter gene assays which detect endocrine disruptors.
• Implementation of physicochemical techniques to separate and identify endocrine disruptors.
• A survey of key foods (including water) for their total endocrine disrupter profile.
• Characterisation of these profiles for their health effects using cellular models.
• Surveillance of key clinical samples for similar profiles to investigate health concerns.
Who can apply?
Researchers from a Member State or Associated Country in possession of a doctoral degree, or with at least four years full-time equivalent research experience after obtaining the degree which allows them to embark on a doctorate.
What does the funding cover?
Funding is provided for two years in advanced training (including complimentary skills) on a basis of a “personal career development plan” established by the researcher with his/her personal supervisor in the host organisation. It also includes an attractive experience related salary for the researcher, a transnational mobility allowance, a travel allowance and a contribution towards research-related costs.
Call details:
• Ref: Marie Curie FP7-PEOPLE-2007-2-1-IEF
• Deadline for expression of interest for participation: 6th July 2007
• Deadline of the call: 14th August 2007
• Anticipated start date: 1st May/June 2008
For further information/application contact:
Dr Lisa Connolly, Lecturer in Toxin Food Safety,
Institute of Agri-Food and Land Use,
Stranmillis Road,
Belfast BT9 5AG,
Northern Ireland.
Tel: + 44 (0) 2890 976668
E-MAIL: [email protected]
http:/www.qub.ac.uk/schools/Agri-FoodLandUse