About the positionNILU is seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated PhD-candidate with interest and competence in in vitro human toxicology and air pollution, good communication skills and a positive attitude to both work and colleagues.NILU offers a 3-year PhD-position within the field of human toxicology in relation to air pollutants. The position is connected to the strategical internal project ChemHealth, which aims at investigating the health effects and hazards connected with human exposure to pollutants in ambient and indoor air.Air pollution is characterized by a complex mixture of chemicals and particulate matter (PM), which are known to cause adverse health effects. Within this project, airborne pollutants, PM and the associated chemicals, will be collected from outdoor and indoor settings in Norway and tested in relevant in vitro models for their toxicological properties i.e. cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, ROS, inflammatory effects, endocrine disrupting activity. The pollutants will be characterized for their chemical and physical properties to investigate the features responsible for the observed biological effects. A state-of-the-art holistic approach will be established to link the chemical and the toxicological properties of the pollutants.The department of Environmental Chemistry aims at contributing to a healthy and zero-pollution environment and a green transition by performing project-based research and being a research provider at the forefront of human toxicology and environmental chemistry. We offer a very advanced and extensive infrastructure, and high-quality research in Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) certified and ISO accredited laboratories. Our research portfolio covers high profile projects at both national and international levels.The Health Effects Laboratory is part of the Department for Environmental Chemistry and is mainly involved in project-based research focusing on human hazard characterization of environmental pollutants, chemicals and nanomaterials. We perform in vitro toxicity testing in standard and advanced models on various biological endpoints with a focus on genotoxicity.Duties of the positionLaboratory work: prepare environmental samples for toxicological investigations, perform toxicological experiments on diverse biological endpoints using traditional and advanced in vitro modelsData collection, processing of data and statistical analysisWrite and publish scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, presenting work at scientific conferencesTight collaboration with NILU’s chemistry laboratories for chemical characterization of the environmental samplesQualification requirementsMaster Degree (MSc) in toxicology or other relevant field (e.g. cell biology, molecular biology)Experience with data analysis and statisticsExcellent communication skills and scientific writing in EnglishProficient English (written and oral).Average grad for master courses and thesis must be B or better (Norwegian education system)The successful candidate is to enter a PhD-degree program in a degree-granting university, and the work should lead to successful completion of a PhD-degree.The position is located at NILUs office in Kjeller.Personal characteristicsHighly motivated and proactivePositive mindScientifically creativeGood team worker, but also work independentlyResponsible and structuredGood laboratory skillsWe offerAt NILU, we work for our common future. Our research contributes to the fight against climate change and to secure a healthy environment and a sustainably society. This means that work is more than just work: what we do each day makes a difference.We offer flexible working hours, work-from-home agreements, subsidised fitness training, and excellent pension and insurance schemes. Salary is competitive.During a working day at NILU, you will encounter:An international and interdisciplinary environment with pleasant colleagues from all over the worldGreat creativity and generous sharing of knowledgeBroad experience and excellent opportunities for professional developmentA global network of partnersMost of our approximately 180 employees work at the main office in Kjeller, a short train ride from Oslo. We also have an office in Tromsø and an office in Trondheim.Application processThe application must include:Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interestsCV (summarizing education, positions and academic work - scientific publications)Copies of the original Master’s degree diplomaCopies of the transcripts of recordsDocumentation of English proficiencyCopies of 2-3 letters of recommendationThe application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system at JobbNorge (please follow the link “Apply for this job”). Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.Questions about the positionFurther details about NILU can be found at .Informal enquiries about the position can be directed to:About NILUAt NILU, our greatest strength is our outstanding employees. They contribute to NILU’s leading position both nationally and internationally – and to a pleasant working environment.We do research from pole to pole – from Zeppelin in Svalbard to Trollhaugen in Antarctica. Our research helps increase knowledge about climate change, the composition of the atmosphere, air quality, sustainable transitions and environmental toxins – as well as how all these factors affect health and the environment. Every year, NILU performs hundreds of research commissions, large and small, for public and private customers, in Norway and internationally.NILU is an independent research foundation with no owners who collect dividends. Instead, all profits are reinvested in operating and developing research services that benefit society. We place great emphasis on open research, open publishing, and open source code – because knowledge is meant to be shared.At NILU, all employees are equal, regardless of gender, age, disability, creed/philosophy of life, language, cultural differences and sexual orientation. We respect and value individual characteristics, and do not accept any form of discrimination.