PHD OPPORTUNITY IN REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND NANOPLASTICS

We are seeking a motivated and competitive candidate to undertake a PhD thesis in the Cell Biology Unit of the Department of Cell Biology, Physiology, and Immunology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, within the PhD Program in Cell Biology.
The doctoral thesis will be framed within the research project NANOPLASTICS AS EMERGING CONTAMINANTS.
INVESTIGATING THE RISKS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN TERRESTRIAL MAMMALS (REPROPLASTIC) awarded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities.
Project description.
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPLs) pollution has become a global concern.
Due to their ubiquity and small size, they can be easily ingested by organisms and accumulate in organs, tissues, and cells, raising serious concerns about their harmful effects on wildlife and human health.
Given the high sensitivity of reproductive function to contaminants, MNPLs could affect the fertility of exposed organisms, potentially impacting even future generations.
However, the consequences of MNPL exposure on mammalian reproduction are mostly unknown.
The main objective of the project is to investigate the toxicity of chronic multigenerational exposure to nanoplastics (NPLs) on reproductive function and fertility in an animal model (mouse).
A comprehensive analysis will be conducted on the cumulative effects in reproductive organs, gametes, preimplantation embryos, placentas, and fetuses, in order to identify the harmful effects of NPLs on the reproductive capacity of exposed animals.
Histology and cellular and molecular biology techniques will be used, including omics approaches.
The project results will help bridge the current knowledge gap regarding the toxicity of NPLs in the reproductive system of terrestrial mammals, both for present and future generations.
This information will be crucial for establishing effective biovigilance strategies, including the identification and implementation of biomarkers for analyzing the reproductive toxicity of NPLs.
In addition, the results obtained may contribute to the development of protection and mitigation actions against the harmful effects of these emerging contaminants.
Requirements.
Bachelor’s degree in Biosciences, Veterinary Sciences, or related fields.
Master’s degree, or equivalent, that qualifies for access to a doctoral program.
Candidates currently pursuing a university master’s degree that will be completed during the academic year will also be considered.
High academic record (above 8/10) to be able to compete successfully in competitive predoctoral calls.
Meet the legally established requirements for access to an official doctoral program at UAB.
We will value.
Master’s degree in the area of Reproduction (completed or in progress).
Academic grades for Bachelor’s and Master’s studies.
Experience in cell culture and manipulation of mammalian gametes and embryos.
Certification for animal handling for experimentation.
High level of English, both read, spoken, and written.
We offer.
Integration into a research group accredited by the Catalan government (Genome Integrity and Reproductive Biology research group) and composed of researchers with extensive experience in the fields of reproductive biology, genetics, and biotechnology, as well as genomic instability.
Full access to UAB’s research facilities.
Opportunities for international collaboration and mobility.
Application.
If you are interested in pursuing a PhD in this emerging and impactful area, send a cover/motivation letter (max.
1 page), CV, and academic transcripts, detailing the average grade of the academic transcript for the Bachelor and Master’s.
Tagged as.
Environmental Science, Life Sciences