Environmental Chemical Exposure and Metabolic Disease: Exploring Risk and Evaluation and Perception

Abertay University; Dundee; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Abertay University offers a fully funded PhD studentship focused on the impact of chemical exposure on metabolic health. The project involves community engagement and research collaboration, providing candidates with valuable experience in public health and environmental sociology. Candidates should possess strong research skills and a relevant degree.

Benefits

Tax-free stipend

Tuition fees paid

Generous study package

Extension of funding for teaching

Qualifications

• Experience in designing, running and analysing systematic reviews and metanalyses.
• Experience in qualitative research, such as focus groups or interviews.
• Ability to work well with others and engage with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on chemical exposures and metabolic disease.
• Run focus groups and workshops for community engagement.
• Co-create advice and guidelines with healthcare professionals.

Skills

Knowledge synthesis

Qualitative research

Systematic reviews

Numeracy

Statistics

Education

First class or upper second-class honours degree in health sciences

Tools

Statistical software (e.g., R)

Job description

Background: Humans are exposed to a bewildering array of synthetic chemicals, often with unknown biological effects, breakdown products and environmental fates. Epidemiological studies have linked the incidence and prevalence of obesity, elevated cholesterol, fatty liver and type 2 diabetes with the levels of such chemicals or their breakdown products in blood or urine. Experimental data support some of the population level information, providing plausible mechanisms that can tie exposure to metabolic disease. The ability to assess risk of disease from exposure depends on the extent and nature of the knowledge that exists about those risks.People in positions of socio-political power and knowledge, including politicians, scientists, journalists, and those in the legal and financial sectors, and chemical companies themselves, shape the narrative around defining risk.Individuals at risk of chemical exposure and of developing metabolic diseases, and the health professionals who advise on or provide delivery of their care, may have differing awareness of risks, access to information about the risks posed by chemical exposure and differing perceptions on the level of such risk. The proposed project explores the way concepts of risk are developed, maintained and disseminated in different contexts, bringing together and exploring the connections between the ostensibly objective evidence base from a scientific perspective, and the perceptions of people with metabolic disease and those responsible for advising on their care. The project aims to provide tangible advice on those aspects of greatest concern.

This project is supported by colleagues from biomedical science, environmental toxicology, nursing and sociology to address important questions in public health.

Key project aims:

(1).Determine which chemical exposures present the greatest risk for development of metabolic disease. Using knowledge synthesis methods to evaluate existing evidence, including an umbrella review, evidence evaluation and risk map based on existing epidemiological literature

(2).Understand how people living with diabetes and their healthcare practitioners perceive and respond risk from chemical exposure: Use community based participatory research (CBPR) to explore how these different groups discursively construct their understanding of risks of chemical exposure and the extent to which these social and scientific rationalities connect with each other to inform everyday practices.

(3).Establish what evidence-based advice on managing chemical exposures is required to benefit patient outcomes. Identify misalignment and shared features of the scientific evidence base and the perceived risks and knowledge sources from the community groups

This research will involve co-creation of advice, guidelines and policy engagement initiatives about chemical exposure with people living with diabetes and the healthcare professionals involved in their care. The project would involve running focus groups and workshops for participants, and growing community engagement in this research area as well as disseminating findings to academics, health care professionals and policy makers in a range of written and spoken formats. The studentship will therefore provide excellent experience and impact. The theoretical underpinning and novelty of the project will contribute important insights into metabolic health and disease research and to the academic disciplines of public health and environmental sociology.

Supervisory Team:The candidate will be supervised by Dr Kimberley Bennett Department of Built and Life Sciences), Dr Tabeth Timba-Emmanuel (Department of health Sport and Wellbeing) and Prof James Moir (Department of Social and Psychological Sciences).

Entry Requirements:Candidates must have, or expect to obtain, a first class or upper second-class honours degree in a health sciences field, or a closely aligned discipline. We are looking for an independent, enthusiastic, and highly motivated candidate with an understanding of knowledge synthesis or social sciences research methods in a healthcare context. Applicants should have experience in designing, running and analysing systematic reviews and metanalyses, or in qualitative research, such as focus groups or interviews. Applicants should be confident in numeracy and statistics. Experience with statistical software, such as R, or thematic analysis is an advantage. Candidates must work well with others and represent the university when working with key stakeholders (e.g., patient groups, NHS and clinicians).

For applicants who are non-native speakers of English, the University requires IELTS of 7.0 (with no band less than 6.5) or an equivalent qualification accepted by the Home Office.

Funding: Abertay internal R-LINCS2 scheme funded. The Studentship is available for October 2025 start

A PhD studentship that comprises tax-free stipend of £20,870 (increasing in line with UKRI per annum), tuitionfees paid, and a generous study package (e.g., limited research consumables, travel budget, and training when appropriate) each year for 3 years. The studentship is fully funded for 3 years. An extension of funding for a further 6 months is available, contingent upon the candidate completing 70 hours of teaching per year during the initial 3 years.

Go here for advert: https://tinyurl.com/3uaa2s43

Links to Abertay's job portal. Deadline is 27th June 2025