X_POSE

Axis 2: Exploring how social and behavioral factors interplay with other exposome factors

Lead: Dr Torsten Bohn (LIH/DoPH) & Dr Camille Perchoux (LISER)

P5 – Relationship between dietary exposure to mixtures of persistent organic pollutants and type 2 diabetes: the modulating potential of diet

Type 2 diabetes is a major health concern, often leading to several cardiometabolic comorbidities. The disease can be modulated by dietary choices, but also via the intake of persistent pollutants with food. This project will study the association of various classes of persistent organic pollutants and dietary patterns with the risk of type 2 diabetes, as well as their interactions. For this purpose, participants of a multi-country cohort study will be investigated for their intake of various persistent organic pollutants and dietary patterns by various indices, food and nutrient intake based on food frequency questionnaires.

This study will reveal the effects of combined exposure of environmental pollutants and diet in relation to type 2 diabetes, and to which extent these main contributors to type 2 diabetes can aggravate or compensate one another.

P6 – Restoratives environments and chronic stress: a space-time analysis of regular exposure and activity patterns

This PhD project will investigate the restorative characteristics of the environment in the context of chronic stress. It will analyse space- and time- related information for better understanding of exposure patterns and effect of social inequalities on stress.

The analysis will be conducted based on the study involving adults residing in Luxembourg. Using state-of-the-art epidemiological approaches, it will include analysis of the subjective measures of chronic stress and wellbeing, lifestyles, participants’ mobility and activity patterns, activity space-based exposures, and perceived and objective measures of restorative environments.

This project will improve the understanding of which modifiable characteristics of urban environments contribute to chronic stress. This is of utmost importance to support urban planning intervention aiming at promoting restorative environments.

Dr Olivier Klein from LISER will be involved sharing his expertise related to geographic information systems and geospatial analysis.

P7 – Benefit of physical activity on hormonal homeostasis and hormonal disruption induced by exposure to chemical pollutants

As physical activity helps regulate hormones, it may play a role in hormone-related health issues such as stress or weight gain. Using data from a Luxembourg population study, the PhD student will compute new wearable-specific indicators of the physical behaviour to capture all dimensions of the 24h movement behaviour. Endocrine disrupting chemicals and hormonal profiles of study participants will be analysed based on their hair samples. The moderation effect of the physical behaviour on hormonal profiles will be investigated in the context of exposure to the endocrine disrupting chemicals.

This PhD project will strive to describe the multidimensional physical behaviour profile of an individual, explore its role in the causal pathway relating the endocrine disrupting chemicals to hormonal, and shape future evidence-based preventive measures.

DISCOVER X_POSE

Scientific background

Exposome researcher of tomorrow

PhD projects

• Axis 1
• Axis 2
• Axis 3

About the training

Consortium

Funding

How to apply

CONTACT

For any question related to X_POSE, please contact:

xpose.office@lih.lu

our open positions

We offer 12 fully funded PhD positions with a fixed-term work contract of up to 4 years.

We are seeking excellent and highly motivated candidates holding a Master’s degree in a field related to the topics of the doctoral training program. Very good English language skills are required. The earliest start date will be October 2024.