PhD Scholarship in Toxicology

PhD Studentship

The Ecotoxicology of Nanomaterials

Heriot-Watt University -NanoSafety Research Group

Salary: Standard UK Research Council stipend (plus UK/EU tuition fees), international students can apply provided they can pay the difference between Home/UK and overseas tuition fees.

We are looking for one talented and highly motivated scientist to join an interdisciplinary group researching the ecotoxicology of nanomaterials. The successful candidate will be responsible for assessing the toxicity of a panel of well characterised nanomaterials to a range of aquatic organisms, focussing particularly on primary producers. The position is for 36 months and is funded by the European Commission FP7 programme.

Nanotechnology is a fast developing field which poses challenges for its safety assessment and management. The technology involves production of materials in the size range of less than 100 nanometres. Due of their extremely small size, nanomaterials exhibit distinctly different properties from their 'parent' chemicals, e.g. they tend to behave like a vapour and, on weight-per-weight basis, have great reactive surface area. A number of nanomaterials are already widely used (e.g. in cosmetics) and many are in preparation (e.g. targeted drug delivery, gene therapy, and semiconductors). This proliferation of nanotechnology has prompted wide ranging concerns over the safety of nanomaterials to the public and the environment. This project will investigate the fate and effects of a range of manufactured nanomaterials to selected aquatic invertebrate and microalgae species. This work will contribute directly to the assessment of environmental risks posed by manufactured nanomaterials. In addition, information developed within the study will assist in developing and disseminating applied science for regulatory guidance. The results of the project will be presented at relevant seminars and conferences, and published in a PhD thesis and peer-reviewed journals. The successful applicant will be working within a large consortium of international scientists contributing to the projects, and within Heriot-Watt University there will also be an appointed post-doctoral scientist to each project.

The successful applicant should have a good Honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject area (e.g. in Ecotoxicology, Environmental Toxicology, Environmental Sciences, Toxicology, or a related discipline) and preferably some laboratory experience, particularly in experimentation in ecotoxicology and animal/algae culturing. The studentship covers tuition fees at home/EU student level. The applicant should have strong organisational skills, be a self-starter with good team skills and with an interest in the application of science to practical management situations. The applicant should have an interest/experience in test organisms husbandry, as well as being numerate and a clear communicator. Overseas students (i.e. nationals from a country outside the European Union), willing to apply for this studentship, must demonstrate an ability to fund the full overseas University's fees, since the available funds only cover the UK/EU award.

The position is based within the School of Life Sciences on the University's Edinburgh campus. Heriot-Watt University has a 100 year tradition of University level higher education, while the School of Life Sciences has a very strong research reputation and multidisciplinary ethos. Interviews are anticipated to take place during the second half of August. For scientific enquiries please contact Prof Teresa Fernandes or Prof Vicki Stone.

Applications

Applications should be made via email to Lesley Munro (email: l.k.munro@hw.ac.uk). Please include a full CV, a letter of motivation (explaining why you are the person for this position), relevant transcripts and the names and full contacts of two academic referees. Your covering letter should outline your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake this project. Closing date for applications: 9^thAugust 2012.