PhD student in regulatory (eco) toxicology and risk assessment
The School of Architecture and the Built Environment seeks a PhD student to the risk and safety group at the Division of Philosophy
Workplace
KTH in Stockholm is the largest and oldest technical university in Sweden. No less than one-third of Sweden’s technical research and engineering education capacity at university level is provided by KTH. Education and research spans from natural sciences to all branches of engineering and includes architecture, industrial management and urban planning. There are a total of just over 15,000 first and second level students and more than 1,600 doctoral students. KTH has almost 4,300 employees.
Architecture and the Built Environment
The School of Architecture and built environment focuses on future of our societies, on how our cities, buildings and infrastructure should be designed. We study growth, technology and environment, as well as ethical considerations and risks. Our curriculum and our research are based on several academic disciplines: engineering and the technical sciences, the humanities, and the social sciences.
The department of Philosophy and the History of Technology seeks a PhD student in regulatory (eco)toxicology and risk assessment
Description of the research area
We are recruiting a PhD student in the area of regulatory (eco)toxicology and risk assessment. You will be a part of a research group that use toxicological and ecotoxicological data combined with methodology from risk philosophy (i.e. decision theory, theory of science and ethics) to develop strategies for risk identification, risk assessment and risk management of hazardous chemicals. The group belongs to the division of Philosophy.
The new European chemicals legislation REACH has increased the requirements for testing and risk assessment of industrial chemicals manufactured in or imported into the EU. Nevertheless, a large amount of industrial chemicals reach Europe incorporated into consumer articles that have been manufactured outside the EU. The risks associated with emissions of chemicals via consumer articles is only to a very limited extent regulated by REACH, and there is a consensus also internationally that this situation needs to be improved.
Within this PhD project voluntary initiatives to reduce chemical risks by manufacturers and importers of consumer articles will be scrutinized. The project will encompass both Swedish and international initiatives.
Examples of major questions are:
(1) What are the main driving forces and obstacles for companies to introduce voluntary initiatives for reducing environmental and health risks associated with chemicals? Is legislation or foreseen legislation important incentives or could voluntary initiatives be a driver towards improved legislation?
(2) What are the tools used in voluntary systems to reduce environmental and health risks associated with chemicals? What substances and effects are included/prioritized? How are data generated? What criteria for risk assessment are used?
(3) Do voluntary initiatives lead to risk reduction? Do they represent "business as usual", that the law is followed, or could it be that they go beyond the legal requirements?
The project is multidisciplinary in its character, requiring studies of both risk related information as well as regulatory texts. The method is mainly literature studies and interviews. Surveys can also be used if considered relevant and necessary. The work will entail a first selection of voluntary approaches to include in the study, a thorough description and analyses of the selected systems and their theory and practices. Finally the studied systems will be analysed in relation to the workings of the EU chemicals legislations and national and international agreements. The focus is on how voluntary initiatives cope with environmental and health risks associated with chemicals from consumer products.
The overall purpose of the project is to contribute with new knowledge that can support the development of Swedish and European actions to reduce chemical risks and ensure a sustainable use of chemicals in consumer articles.
Qualifications/eligibility
You will become part of a research group with a strong focus on multidisciplinary co operations and international publication of research results. A relevant background is environmental science, toxicology or ecotoxicology. Excellent ability to communicate in written English is an important qualification.
Employment
Form of employment: Time limited
Start time: According to agreement
Application
Applications by e-mail should be sent to:
betty.jurdell@abe.kth.se .
Applications by ordinary mail should be sent to:
Kungliga Tekniska högskolan
Registrator vid ITM-skolan, Lindstedtsvägen 30
100 44 Stockholm
The application should include the following documents:
- Curriculum vitae,
- Transcripts of college/university degrees
- Brief summary of why the applicant wants to pursue a Ph.D. position
Latest day of application: 2012-03-05
Reference number: A-2012-0083
The reference number shall be stated in your application
Contact
Christina Rudén, Professor
Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)
Department of philosophy and the history of technology
Teknikringen 78B
SE-100 44 Stockholm
Sweden
Office phone +46 8 790 95 87
Cell phone +46 704 93 31 01
Trade union representative
Lars Abrahamsson , SACO
Telefon: 08-790 70 58
E-post: lars.abrahamsson@ee.kth.se .