SD-26116-PHD IN IN VITRO APPROACHES TO ASSESS THE HEALTH IMPACTS OF URBAN AIR POLLUTION

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a leading Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) that drives innovation for the economy and society in Luxembourg and beyond. With cutting-edge expertise in Natural, Built, Industrial environments, Space, AI, Security and defence technologies. LIST bridges scientific excellence and applied research to design solutions that address real-world challenges and create positive impact.

Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https://www.list.lu/

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.

Your LIST benefits

• An organisation with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects
• Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society
• Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do
• An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas
• Personalised learning programme to foster our staff’s soft and technical skills
• Multicultural and international work environment with more than 60 nationalities represented in our workforce
• Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions
• Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science
• 32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance
• Flexible working hours, home working policy (not remote) and access to Digital lunch vouchers

Fixed term contract | Belvaux | 36 Months (14+22)

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

You will join the Environmental Health (EH) Group within the Environmental Sustainability Assessment and Circularity (SUSTAIN) Unit (SUSTAIN) Unit at LIST. SUSTAIN conducts cross-disciplinary research to support the transition toward a more sustainable, resilient, and healthy society, combining expertise in environmental sciences, in vitro human toxicology, risk and safety assessment, and sustainable innovation. 

The Environmental Health group conducts cutting-edge research at the intersection of environmental toxicology, human health, and regulatory science. Our multidisciplinary team integrates expertise in in vitro toxicology, molecular biology, systems toxicology, and exposure science to develop next-generation tools and models that inform decision-making and support the protection of human health from environmental stressors. 

This PhD position is embedded in a recently granted EU Horizon Europe project focused on transforming urban air quality management through the integration of advanced monitoring technologies, computational modelling, and health impact assessment tools. LIST's contribution focuses on developing innovative in vitro toxicology approaches that translate environmental exposure data into human health-relevant biological information, bridging the gap between environmental monitoring and public health protection. 

The PhD will be co-supervised by Dr. Muriel Mercier-Bonin (INRAE Research Director and Deputy Director, Toxalim Food Toxicology Institute, INRAE Occitanie-Toulouse, University of Toulouse, France), a leading expert in the development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for assessing the impact of emerging contaminants on human health. Dr. Mercier-Bonin has extensive experience with advanced in vitro cell models designed to characterise contaminant-host interactions at biological barriers, and is actively involved in major European research consortia developing NAMs as alternatives to animal testing, in line with the 3Rs principle. Her strong science-policy engagement and expertise in in vitro toxicology make her an ideal academic partner for this multidisciplinary PhD. 

How will you contribute?

As a PhD Student, your main responsibilities will include: 

• Developing and optimising high-throughput in vitro inhalation toxicology methods based on human cell reporter assay systems, including stably transfected cell lines capable of detecting key toxicological endpoints such as oxidative stress, genotoxicity, inflammatory activation and dioxin-like activity.
• Establishing and validating air-liquid interface (ALI) exposure systems for the direct exposure of human airway cell models to airborne pollutants, including particulate matter (PM), micro- and nanoplastics, and complex environmental mixtures.
• Integrating the developed in vitro methods into a broader framework linking environmental air quality monitoring data to human health-relevant biological endpoints, contributing to the development of a Human Health Impact Toolkit for urban environments.
• Collaborating with computational and modelling partners to support the interpretation of biological data and the development of exposure-response models.
• Contributing to the dissemination of results through peer- reviewed scientific publications, conference presentations, and technical reports.
• Actively participating in consortium activities, including meetings, workshops, and stakeholder engagement with municipalities and public health authorities.
• Completing the PhD training program in accordance with the requirements of the Toxalim partner university and doctoral school.

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

Education

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in cell biology, toxicology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, or a closely related field.

Experience and skills

• Knowledge of or experience in in vitro cell culture methods is required.
• Familiarity with reporter gene assays, fluorescence-based detection, or high-throughput biological screening is strongly valued.
• Experience with or interest in air-liquid interface (ALI) exposure systems or inhalation toxicology is a significant asset.
• Knowledge of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and the 3Rs principle in toxicology is an asset.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary, international research environment with multiple project partners.
• Proactive, curious, and motivated to develop scientific independence.

Soft skills

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple tasks across projects.
• Team player with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work autonomously under the guidance of a supervisory team.

Language skills

• Fluency in English (both written and oral) is required. Other relevant languages are an asset.