Faculty: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Department: Department Population Health Sciences
Hours per week: 32 to 40
Application deadline: 28 June 2025
Workplace emissions are changing. Despite the public health relevance of infectious diseases, the occupational safety and health (OSH) and exposome research communities have traditionally paid limited attention to biological factors. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of protecting workers from exposure to bioaerosols, revealing a clear lack of risk assessment tools for OSH professionals. In this project, we aim to develop a ‘Biological Exposome’ risk model for the workplace using a layered approach, moving from qualitative to quantitative risk assessment.
Your job
Throughout the process, we will apply a range of molecular methods to analyse biological agents and characterise exposure. Our ultimate goal is to understand how these new methods can be integrated into routine occupational hygiene practices and to validate the resulting risk models.
The project will be conducted in sectors where exposure to biological agents is likely and where ongoing transitions such as shifts in agriculture, food and protein production, and more circular production systems are affecting exposure dynamics. The primary focus will be on the agri-food sector, including primary production sites, slaughterhouses, soy and grain processing plants, and animal feed and food production facilities.
Your responsibilities will include:
- collecting air samples and nasal swabs from workers at participating companies;
- coordinating laboratory work to identify a relevant selection of biological agents in these samples;
- analysing the data and disseminating findings through scientific publications and presentations.
Your qualities
- You have a Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Molecular Biology, Epidemiology, One Health, Health and Environment, or a closely related Life Sciences field.
- You have affinity for environmental sampling, molecular biology, and statistics.
- Strong communication skills, enthusiasm, and creativity are essential for fitting in with our collaborative and dynamic research team and our external stakeholders.
- You have a creative mindset and strong technical insight.
- You have practical experience with sample collection and/or laboratory work.
- You are proficient in statistical methods and the R programming language.
- You have a background in or hands-on experience with microbiological and molecular biology techniques.
- You have an excellent command of English (written and spoken); Dutch language skills are an asset.
- You have a valid driving licence.
Our offer
- A position for one year, with an extension to a total of four years upon satisfactory performance;
- a working week of 32 to 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
- 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
- a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.
