PhD: Development of a zebrafish metabolome atlas and bridging to EDC exposure

This PhD project is part of the EU MSCA Doctoral Network NeXED (www.nexed.eu). It will be hosted by the section Chemistry for Environment and Health at the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (https://vu.nl/en/about-vu/faculties/faculty-of-science/more-about/chemistry-for-environment-health). The main objective of this project is to determine the effects of EDC mixture exposure on thyroid hormone transport to the developing brain in novel human in vitro models and compare these effects to changes observed in cerebrospinal fluid thyroid hormone levels observed in humans and zebrafish. Selected real-life mixtures from the case studies will be tested for their effect on thyroid hormone transmembrane transporters (THTMTs) in dedicated THTMT-overexpressing cell lines as well as in human blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier (BCSFB) organoid models and zebrafish embryos.

This 3-year PhD project is supervised by Pim Leonards. The objective of this project is to investigate at a molecular level (metabolome) the developmental and neurotoxic effects of endocrine disruptors in whole zebrafish embryos with a focus on specific organs (e.g. brain, liver, heart, gills, kidney, eyes), study at high time resolution the development of the normal zebrafish metabolome until 5 dpf and link these to the development of organs and tissues using advanced mass spectrometry techniques including tissue imaging techniques (MSI). This will provide comprehensive information on the effects of EDCs on the metabolome and link these to developmental and neurotoxic adverse effects (e.g. behaviour).

The following external research stays are planned:

• Interdisciplinary secondment: Henrik Holbech (2 months) at University of Southern Denmark (SDU, Denmark)
• Intersectoral secondment: Michael Rodamer (2 weeks) at Agilent (Company, Germany)
• Interdisciplinary secondment: Dries Knapen (2 months) at University of Antwerp (UA, Belgium)

Requirements:

You will

• Perform metabolomics experiments with zebrafish and further develop tissue imaging mass spectrometry for zebrafish.
• Enrol in the PE&RC graduate school (https://www.pe-rc.nl) and comply with the doctoral training requirements
• Write project reports on a regular basis, and publish high-quality research results related to the research project in international conference proceedings and peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Participate actively in the NeXED training, dissemination, communication and exploitation activities.
• Work actively on the preparation and defence of a doctoral thesis in the field of Environmental Chemistry
• Engage with and further support a limited number of teaching activities for the section Chemistry for Environment and Health of the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment

In addition to the general eligibility and selection criteria of the NeXED Doctoral Network,

• A 3-year PhD trajectory at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is only possible if:
  
  • The candidate has completed an accredited Research Master prior to the PhD trajectory or the candidate has comparable qualifications, as demonstrated by their curriculum.
  • This requires that the Master's degree amounts to at least 120 ECTS and that at least 60 ECTS has been spent on research preparation within the programme that ties in with the theme of the PhD trajectory to be followed.
• Master’s degree in analytical chemistry
• Familiar with metabolomics or tissue imaging mass spectrometry is a plus

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore, we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

Salary Benefits:

• The selected candidate will be employed full-time by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam on the MSCA-DN project for a period of 36 months.
• Doctoral candidates are offered an employment contract for full-time employment, with a competitive remuneration based on the MSCA allowances in line with the MSCA WP 2023-2025.
• The gross monthly amount at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam corresponds to minimum € 3,378 and maximum € 3,707 (PhD) in the third (last) year. Fringe benefits include a maximum of 41 days of annual leave based on full-time employment, 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Funding is available for technical and personal skills training and participation in international research events.
• The expected start date is between July-September 2025. Last-year master students expected to graduate by this time are encouraged to already apply.
• Read more about working at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam here: https://workingat.vu.nl

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