PhD Studentship - Occupational exposure of non-exhaust emissions
Applications are invited for a four year EPSRC IDLA studentship based in the MRC Toxicology Unit at the University of Cambridge, and with partners at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the company Emissions Analytics.
As prevalence of electric vehicles increases in the transition to net zero, particulate emission from exhausts have declined significantly. Brake, tyre, and road wear particles have emerged as the dominant source of particulate pollutants from road transport. These non-exhaust emissions pose a growing occupational health risk. This project aims to characterise occupational exposure of the estimated one million affected UK workers (maintenance workers, bus/lorry drivers, delivery staff etc.) via roadside testing and assess associated health risks by undertaking cell exposure campaigns. By performing source apportionment analysis, with the help of machine learning, the data will pinpoint sources of the emissions and subsequently inform mitigation strategies, revolutionising the understanding of the harm of these pollutants. The research aligns with EPSRC's energy and decarbonisation theme and supports the Engineering Net Zero strategic priority by addressing an overlooked consequence of the electric vehicle transition.
This project requires the student to develop novel, rigorous measurement techniques for a poorly-characterised pollutant source. It demands interdisciplinary thinking across metrology, environmental science, air quality and occupational health which will be reflected through cross-department collaboration. The student will gain expertise in experimental design, novel data analysis, and policy-relevant research, contributing original insights to a high-impact, emerging field.
This project will deliver new measurement methods for occupational exposure to non-exhaust emissions, including validated sampling protocols, uncertainty models, and exposure datasets. These outputs will inform future standards and UK policy on air quality and worker health. The research is high-risk due to the lack of existing frameworks but positions NPL at the forefront of emerging air quality challenges. It meets HRHR criteria by tackling a novel, underexplored area with significant sampling challenges. As EVs shift pollutant profiles, new risks emerge. This work could pioneer measurement approaches, inform regulation, and transform occupational health policy, improving worker protection in a decarbonised transport future.
The studentship will include at least a 3-month placement with NPL (Teddington, London) and benefits from membership of NPL's post-graduate institute (PGI), accessing training, expertise on metrology and participation in cohort activities and networking events.
Applicants should have a strong background in chemistry or toxicology. Applications are invited from candidates who possess (or expect to gain) an upper second-class honours MSci or higher degree or equivalent in chemistry, physics, materials science, chemical or mechanical engineering or related areas.
Funding is available for UK citizens. The studentship is for up to 4 years and will provide full coverage of tuition fees and an annual tax-free stipend of £22,500.
All applications will need to be made through the University Application portal: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/bltopdtox
Interviews to be held Wednesday 27th May.
Further information about the Toxicology Unit can be found on our website: https://www.mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk
Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Marion MacFarlane (mm2312@cam.ac.uk)
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Bioinformatician (Fixed Term)
We are looking to appoint a Bioinformatician as part of the Prosperity Partnership which is a £3.4 million MRC grant that aims to understand the safety profile of nucleic acid-dependent therapeutics. It is a collaboration between the MRC Toxicology Unit and Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge, AstraZeneca, Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute, and the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell.
The role holder will play a key part in the development of computational algorithms that are predictive of toxic nucleic acid-dependent therapeutics to inform the safe-by-design agenda. They will develop new methodologies to leverage multi-omic data sets to build machine learning / AI models, working closely with colleagues at AstraZeneca.
A degree in a scientific or computational discipline is required together with a postgraduate degree and/or experience in bioinformatics or computational biology. Experience in the following is essential: Machine learning; biological data preprocessing, curation, and pipeline development, integration of multi-modal biological datasets.
The post will be located at the MRC Toxicology Unit, Central Cambridge.
Informal inquiries are welcome and can be directed to Kiran Patil (kp533@mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk)
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4.5 years in the first instance.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Further information about the Toxicology Unit can be found on our website: https://www.mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PU49139 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Research Associate (Fixed Term)
A postdoctoral researcher is required to join the group of Professor Anne Willis at the MRC Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, to work on identifying the mechanisms of toxicity of antisense oligonucleotides in a variety of liver models.
Candidates must have a PhD in a relevant biological area with expertise in ASOs toxicology, gene editing techniques and proven ability to perform and analyse proteomics experiments.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 August 2026. Candidates must be able to start work as soon as possible.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Further information about the Toxicology Unit can be found on our website: https://www.mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PU49114 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
MPhil Studentships: Toxicities associated with nucleic acid-dependent therapies (NADTs)
Four MPhil studentship awards covering fees and maintenance for Home students are available, these are funded by the Large Grant Contributions Fund at the University of Cambridge to support the Prosperity Partnership award from the Medical Research Council.
These MPhil studentships will undertake research projects that align with understanding the toxicities associated with nucleic acid-dependent therapies (NADTs) such as ASOs, siRNAs, and CRISPR-Cas9. These research projects will focus on mechanistic understanding of these toxicities, development of human-relevant testing systems and predictive modelling.
Students interested in these studentships should have (or expect to obtain by the start date) at least a good 2.1 degree, have a Home Fee status and a broad interest in undertaking a career in toxicology.
These studentship awards are designated to support applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to access postgraduate study at Cambridge. They are reserved for applicants who identify as/ identify as belonging to one of the following groups:
- Identifying as belonging to an underrepresented ethnic group.
- Granted refugee status in the UK.
- Mature students.
- Have received free school meals.
- At the time of applying for their undergraduate course, were living in one of the most deprived areas of the country.
- At the time of applying for their undergraduate course, were living in an area where it is unusual for young people to go to university.
- Were the first generation of their family to go to university.
- Entered university at undergraduate level from a Care background or a Foyer resident.
- Estranged from their family.
- Have caring responsibilities for an ill or disabled family member who could not manage without this help.
- Have been a single parent, or lone guardian of a young person who is aged under 18 and/or still in full-time education during their undergraduate degree course.
- Received full state support for maintenance for their course of undergraduate study.
All applications should be made online via the University's Applicant Portal for an MPhil in Biological Science (MRC Toxicology Unit): https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/bltompbto/apply
Applications should include academic transcripts, CV, statement of interest and 2 references. An application is only complete when all supporting documents, including the 2 academic references, are submitted. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure their referees submit their references before the closing date.
Further information about the Toxicology Unit can be found on our website: https://www.mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PU48868 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Building Services Technician (Fixed Term)
The Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit is a leading International Research Institute within the School of Biological Sciences, University of Cambridge. The Unit's overall aims are to carry out pioneering research which leads to improved health and to train and mentor the next generation of toxicologists.
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the MRC Toxicology Unit for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to join the Building Services Team as a Building Services Technician.
Key duties and responsibilities include:
assisting with the operation of complex plant and ancillary equipment
supporting the diagnosis and repair of specialist mechanical, electrical engineering plant and equipment as they arise
carry out safety routines including fire safety and water hygiene
act as Deputy Departmental Fire Safety Manager, supporting compliance with safety policies and regulations
maintain supply of medical gases to laboratories and provide support as needed for stores management
oversee the cafe area including maintenance of the coffee machine
oversee the issue of permits to work, for all maintenance work
responsible for green initiatives across the building
This post is part of a team responsible for out-of-hours services and you will need to be available for on-call duties as required.
The successful candidate will need to demonstrate a good working knowledge of health & safety and fire safety legislation, demonstrate advanced knowledge of building services involving a critical understanding of relevant theory and principles, excellent levels of communication and interpersonal skills, knowledge of laboratory environments and IT competence. Previous experience in a similar role is desirable. Qualifications in mechanics / electrics would be an advantage although not essential.
Alongside a competitive salary, University staff are eligible for a comprehensive package of benefits and services include discounts on shopping, health care, financial services, and public transport. We also offer defined benefits pension schemes and tax-efficient bicycle, car lease and charity-giving schemes.
Previous applicants who have been unsuccessful need not apply.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2027 in the first instance.
Please note that once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check, a health assessment and a security check.
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Further information about the Toxicology Unit can be found on our website: https://www.mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PU48743 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Bioinformatician (Fixed Term)
The Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit is an internationally renowned institution focussed on the delivery of field-changing mechanistic insights into toxicology and disease. We are looking for a Bioinformatician to join the Bioinformatics Core Facility at the Toxicology Unit, providing expert support to research scientists in data processing, statistical analysis, integration and visualisation of disparate datasets, development of analysis workflows, and training. You will contribute to various support and training tasks as part of a team under the supervision of the Facility Manager and the Academic Lead.
A degree in a scientific or computational discipline is required together with a postgraduate degree (PhD) and/or experience in bioinformatics or computational biology. Experience in consulting with non-computational research scientists on experimental design and bioinformatics analysis and/or publication record of meaningful analysis roles in peer reviewed articles is highly desirable. Basic programming or scripting skills and experience in cluster computing are required together with experience in computational analysis of high-throughput molecular biology experiments.
Expert knowledge and ability to work in the following areas is essential:
Mass-spectrometry based proteomics;
Processing of proteomics data including working with raw data;
Statistical analysis, and feature identification;
Helping researchers in interpretation of the statistical analysis
Given the short term tenure of this position candidates must be able to start work as soon as possible.
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 31 March 2027
Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Further information about the Toxicology Unit can be found on our website: https://www.mrc-tox.cam.ac.uk
Please quote reference PU48490 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
