A fellowship in support to a PhD student is available to study and perform research in the areas of human health and ecological Risk Assessment (RA) of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). The main aim of the PhD project is to improve our understanding of the complex exposure situations and the (eco) toxicological effects associated with the production and use of ENMs, and to develop/ apply a novel integrated strategy for RA of ENMs. The emphasis of the open position is to further study non-conventional ways of addressing potential risks (e.g., weight of evidence approaches, expert elicitation, value of information) in the context of the deep uncertainties that currently hinder the conventional RA procedure, and propose on this basis a novel integrated RA strategy involving an Intelligent Testing Strategy (ITS) for ENMs.

The Risk Assessment Unit of the Department of Environmental Sciences has started a research programme focused on the human health and ecological RA of nanomaterials (e.g., metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots). The Unit has strong background in RA of contaminated sites and chemicals (including emerging pollutants) gained through participation in national and international research projects. For the last few years our work has been focused on the development and application of new approaches for RA of nanomaterials [supporting the European (EU) REACH Regulation] in the context of the completed PARTICLE_RISK, the ongoing ENPRA (Engineered NanoParticles Risk Assessment) and MARINA (MAnaging RIsk of Nanomaterials) EU projects. In this context a fellowship in support to a PhD student is available to study and perform research in the area of RA of ENMs. The emphasis of the open position is to develop a novel integrated strategy for assessing the human health and the ecological risks of ENMs built upon strategies for intelligent testing and research prioritization. Weight of Evidence and Multi Criteria Decision Analysis methods will be applied to identify evaluation criteria, to allow their weighing by both decision makers and experts. The proposed research will initially focus on analysis of the state-of-the-art in the field of RAof ENMs. A panel of nanomaterials will be selected as case-studies. You will have to work in close collaboration with researchers from the Department of Environmental Sciences and from the Venice Research Consortium (CVR).

The successful candidate would have a Master of Science Degree in Chemistry, Environmental Science or Engineering with knowledge on Chemical Risk Assessment and thesis focused on nanomaterials. The position requires good ability to interact with Faculty members and other PhD students. You, as our successful candidate, should be practiced in spoken and written English. We offer an up-to-date research infrastructure, collaboration in a multidisciplinary networked laboratory and the possibility to receive the PhD degree from the Cà Foscari University of Venice.