PhD Candidate in Epidemiology and Exposome Modeling

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INRAE presentation

The French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE) is a major player in research and innovation. It is a community of 12,000 people with 272 research, experimental research, and support units located in 18 regional centres throughout France. Internationally, INRAE is among the top research organisations in the agricultural and food sciences, plant and animal sciences, as well as in ecology and environmental science. It is the world’s leading research organisation specialising in agriculture, food and the environment. INRAE’s goal is to be a key player in the transitions necessary to address major global challenges. Faced with a growing world population, climate change, resource scarcity, and declining biodiversity, the Institute has a major role to play in building solutions and supporting the necessary acceleration of agricultural, food and environmental transitions.

Work environment, missions and activities

You will join the LABERCA research unit, a national reference laboratory and a leading European center recognized for its work on chemical contaminants, human exposure, and the exposome. The team brings together specialists in analytical chemistry, exposure science, toxicology, epidemiology, and quantitative modeling within a multidisciplinary academic environment that fosters scientific collaboration.

This PhD project is part of the EXPOCARE program, funded by INRAE and the French National Research Agency. The aim is to better understand the lifelong impact of exposure to endocrine disruptors on the burden of breast cancer by integrating human biomonitoring data, dietary exposure assessments, and epidemiological data.

This work addresses major public health challenges. It will contribute to better characterizing the risks associated with long-term chemical exposures and to informing prevention strategies and public policies related to food and health. This PhD will enable you to develop strong expertise at the interface of exposure science, epidemiology, and quantitative health impact modeling.

In this context, you will be responsible for the following activities:

Exposure analysis and statistical modeling

• Characterize exposure trajectories to endocrine disruptors (PFAS, pesticides, mycotoxins, phytoestrogens) according to different dietary profiles using advanced multivariate statistical methods

• Investigate associations between exposure biomarkers and breast cancer risk factors using multilevel and mixture modeling approaches

Health impact assessment

• Apply risk–benefit methodologies to assess the health implications of dietary transitions

• Estimate the disease burden (DALYs) attributable to selected endocrine disruptors

Scientific coordination

• Collaborate with analytical and epidemiological partners to ensure harmonization of data processing and quality control procedures

International mobility opportunities may be offered during the PhD in order to strengthen scientific collaborations.

Training and skills

You hold a Master’s degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, exposure science, environmental health, public health, toxicology, or a related discipline.

Experience in advanced statistical analyses or multilevel models, handling large datasets, and working in multidisciplinary research environments would be appreciated.

Technical skills:

• Perform statistical analyses using R, Excel, or equivalent software

• Implement modeling approaches, including multilevel models

• Manage and structure large datasets

• Apply knowledge in exposure science, biomonitoring, and environmental epidemiology

Interpersonal skills:

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

• Strong analytical and organizational skills

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Motivation to develop expertise at the interface of exposure science, epidemiology, and quantitative health impact modeling

INRAE's life quality

By joining our teams, you benefit from (depending on the type of contract and its duration):

- up to 30 days of annual leave + 15 days "Reduction of Working Time" (for a full time);
- parenting support: CESU childcare, leisure services;
- skills development systems: training, career advise;
- social support: advice and listening, social assistance and loans;
- holiday and leisure services: holiday vouchers, accommodation at preferential rates;
- sports and cultural activities;
- collective catering.

How to apply

I send my CV and my motivation letter