PhD studentship: Development and application of physiologically based toxicokinetic models to assess
human exposure to brominated flame retardants
Based at: Centre for Radiation Chemical and Environmental Hazards (CRCE), Public Health England (PHE),
Didcot, Oxfordshire
Registration at: Imperial College London
Funding: For 3 years by PHE at the MRC (outside London) stipend rate (£13,863 p/a in the first instance), from
1st October 2014
Closing Date: 15th September 2014
Interview: Likely at the end of September.
Aim
This project will develop and apply physiologically based toxico-kinetic (PBTK) models required to estimate
tissue doses, and their uncertainties, from human monitoring data relating to exposure to brominated flame
retardants present in the domestic environment. The resulting methodology will provide a general framework for
the assessment of chemical exposure that will be of direct benefit to PHE and those it advises on exposures to
environmental chemical hazards.
Background
Flame retardants are a diverse group of chemicals, mainly containing halogens or phosphorus, that confer fire
protection to plastics, foams and fabrics either by chemical incorporation (e.g.Tetrabromobisphenol A, TBBPA)
or simply by addition to the product (eg. brominated diphenyl ethers, BDE). The UK population is continuously
exposed to these compounds present in clothes, furniture, flooring, electronic goods and building insulation. Use
of certain flame retardants has been stopped because of environmental persistence and human health
concerns. Replacement flame retardants have been developed but little is known as to whether these chemicals
pose a human health concern. In order to assess exposure of the human population to flame retardants present
in the environment, analytical techniques are being developed within CRCE to measure these chemicals in
human samples such as urine and blood. However, to directly assess health risk and levels of intake from such
data, mathematical models are required that can relate external exposure monitoring data to internal exposure
(tissue dose).
Techniques
This project will provide the opportunity to gain expertise in a variety of methods that will be of direct benefit to
the student beyond the project: PBTK modelling; computational statistics, including the development and
application of Monte Carlo methods, particularly Bayesian statistical methods such as Markov Chain Monte
Carlo (MCMC) methods; and software engineering.
Location and PhD registration
You will be registered at Imperial College London. Supervision will be provided by Dr Matthew Puncher (PHE),
Dr Tim Marczylo (PHE), and (academic supervisor) Dr Tim Ebbels (Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial
College London). The research will be primarily theoretical (office based) in nature, although it is anticipated that
you will be involved in the planning and collection of in vivo data at CRCE that underpins the project.
Person specification
The studentship is open to UK and EU applicants with a relevant Masters degree, ideally in an appropriate
mathematical, statistical or physical sciences subject. The project would suit someone with a strong
mathematical background with an interest in mathematical or statistical modelling of biological systems.
Application
For all enquires please contact Dr Matthew Puncher (matthew.puncher@phe.gov.uk).
To apply, please send a covering letter, full CV and contact details of two referees, one of whom must be
academic, to matthew.puncher@phe.gov.uk).