Mediator vacatures in de branche Onderwijs of Opleiding

Humans are exposed to a wide range of chemicals in daily life through food, indoor and outdoor air, and consumer products used on the body, in the home, and in the workplace. Some of these chemicals-including plastic additives and PFAS-disrupt the normal function of hormones (i.e., endocrine-disrupting chemicals) and can cause reproductive health problems and perturb child development. Growing evidence links several classes of chemicals to accelerated or delayed puberty, disruptions in menstrual cycles, impaired fertility, early menopause, and multiple child and adolescent health outcomes. However, major knowledge gaps remain, including underlying causal mechanisms, sensitive windows of exposure, and factors that increase susceptibility. In addition, only a limited number of chemicals have been investigated from the broad set circulating in the body, with sparse data on chemical mixtures.

Our research group investigates how chemical contaminants impact reproductive and developmental health in human populations. We focus on epidemiological analyses that strengthen causal inference, integrate mechanistic and biomarker-based data, and aim to generate evidence that is relevant for chemical risk assessment and regulatory decision-making.

In this PhD project, you will work with Dutch cohort studies to combine chemical exposure measurements with rich data on reproductive, child and adolescent health, as well as potential mediators and effect modifiers. You will also investigate predictors of chemical body burdens and inequalities in chemical exposures.

Your findings will provide actionable evidence to support the development of chemical safety policies, safer consumer products, and safer healthcare systems and advisories from healthcare professionals.

• Data analysis of existing cohort data using R, including modelling of exposure-health outcome associations, mediation and effect modification analyses, and approaches to assess mixtures of chemicals.
• Following a PhD training programme according to the VU Doctoral Regulations (30 ECTS), including courses offered by EpidM and the Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute.
• Reporting scientific results at conferences and preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and your dissertation.
• Contributing to teaching in the BSc Health and Life Sciences (Gezondheid en Leven) programme (maximum 10% of your time).

You will also have ample opportunities for professional development throughout your PhD trajectory, including access to a wide range of courses and the possibility to attend conferences and symposia. You will be part of the Amsterdam Public Health (APH) Research Institute and be part of active PhD communities at A-LIFE and APH which organize activities such as writing retreats.

• An MSc in Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Health, or a related field.
• Experience with (environmental) epidemiology, exposure science, longitudinal data analysis, or coding in R is considered an asset but is not required.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

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.

At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world.

• a salary of € 3.059,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

This PhD position will be hosted in the Environmental Health & Toxicology section of the department of the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE) in the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

A-LIFE aims to advance the fundamental understanding of the interplay between life and its environment through innovative and curiosity-driven science. The department seeks to connect properties and emergent behaviours from micro to global scales, from molecules to ecosystems, including human populations. We aim to inspire students and apply our expertise to shape a sustainable future and support healthy living. A-LIFE comprises a team of around 200 scientists, teachers and support staff.

The Environmental Health & Toxicology (EH&T) section focuses on understanding the impacts of environmental contaminants on human health and the environment, bringing together expertise in toxicology, epidemiology, exposure science, and human health risk assessment. The EH&T section works in close collaboration with the Chemistry for Environment and Health (CE&H) section, including for exposure assessment.

Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university?

• Your curriculum vitae, including a description of your language skills in English

The intended start date is July or September 2026, depending on availability. A pre-employment screening (references, diplomas), may be part of the selection procedure.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Humans are exposed to a wide range of chemicals in daily life through food, indoor and outdoor air, and consumer products used on the body, in the home, and in the workplace. Some of these chemicals-including plastic additives and PFAS-disrupt the normal function of hormones (i.e., endocrine-disrupting chemicals) and can cause reproductive health problems and perturb child development. Growing evidence links several classes of chemicals to accelerated or delayed puberty, disruptions in menstrual cycles, impaired fertility, early menopause, and multiple child and adolescent health outcomes. However, major knowledge gaps remain, including underlying causal mechanisms, sensitive windows of exposure, and factors that increase susceptibility. In addition, only a limited number of chemicals have been investigated from the broad set circulating in the body, with sparse data on chemical mixtures.

Our research group investigates how chemical contaminants impact reproductive and developmental health in human populations. We focus on epidemiological analyses that strengthen causal inference, integrate mechanistic and biomarker-based data, and aim to generate evidence that is relevant for chemical risk assessment and regulatory decision-making.

In this PhD project, you will work with Dutch cohort studies to combine chemical exposure measurements with rich data on reproductive, child and adolescent health, as well as potential mediators and effect modifiers. You will also investigate predictors of chemical body burdens and inequalities in chemical exposures.

Your findings will provide actionable evidence to support the development of chemical safety policies, safer consumer products, and safer healthcare systems and advisories from healthcare professionals. They will contribute to the broader research fields of exposome science and planetary health.

• Data analysis of existing cohort data using R, including modelling of exposure-health outcome associations, mediation and effect modification analyses, and approaches to assess mixtures of chemicals.
• Following a PhD training programme according to the VU Doctoral Regulations (30 ECTS), including courses offered by EpidM and the Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute.
• Reporting scientific results at conferences and preparing manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and your dissertation.
• Contributing to teaching in the BSc Health and Life Sciences (Gezondheid en Leven) programme (maximum 10% of your time).

You will also have ample opportunities for professional development throughout your PhD trajectory, including access to a wide range of courses and the possibility to attend conferences and symposia. You will be part of the Amsterdam Public Health (APH) Research Institute and be part of active PhD communities at A-LIFE and APH which organize activities such as writing retreats.

• An MSc in Epidemiology, Public Health, Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Health, or a related field.
• Experience with (environmental) epidemiology, exposure science, longitudinal data analysis, or coding in R is considered an asset but is not required.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

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.

At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world.

• a salary of € 3.059,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

• A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis.
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge

This PhD position will be hosted in the Environmental Health & Toxicology section of the department of the Amsterdam Institute for Life and Environment (A-LIFE) in the Faculty of Science at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges. At the Faculty of Science, scientists and students work on fundamental and complex societal issues for a sustainable, healthy and just future.

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine: our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. The faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of the 39 programms and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making us one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.