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The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time Environmental Laboratory Support position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Gulf Breeze, FL.

The Office of Research and Development at the EPA supports high-quality research to improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues and help EPA achieve its environmental goals. Research is conducted in a broad range of environmental areas by scientists in EPA laboratories and at universities across the country.

What the EPA project is about

Within ORD, the Center for Environmental Measurement & Modeling (CEMM) conducts research to advance EPA’s ability to measure and model contaminants in the environment, including research to provide fundamental methods and models needed to implement environmental statutes. The methods and models developed by CEMM are typically applied at the airshed, watershed and ecosystem level.  Within CEMM, the Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division (GEMMD) provides leadership and specialized research in marine, estuarine, and watershed ecology and ecotoxicology to predict and assess the effects of human-generated stressors on the unique aquatic resources of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico & the Nation.

What experience and skills will you gain?

This opportunity supports the goals of the EPA Office of Research and Development Safe and Healthy Communities research area to reduce heavy metal levels and exposure at contaminated sites. As a team member, you will receive hands-on laboratory experience in microbiology, microbial ecology, and chemistry including general laboratory support, maintenance of bacterial strains, bacteriological techniques, molecular biology and sample preparation. You will also assist in laboratory experiments by collecting data, analyzing results, and preparing reports. As a team member you will work within a team of scientists investigating the roles of microorganisms in the mobility or sequestration of heavy metals in soils.

How you will apply your skills

• Maintaining a safe and clean laboratory space, glassware washing.

• Preparation of buffers, reagents, and media.

• Assisting with development of bacterial reporter strains and PCR assays.

• Participating with organizing and conducting fieldwork.

• This position requires an organized, careful, and attentive person.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Academic coursework including science courses with laboratory components;

• Experience following written protocols;

• Proficiency performing basic chemistry calculations, preparing solutions, and pipetting;

• Experience following safety procedures when working in the laboratory; including with hazardous chemicals such as heavy metals;

• Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills; and

• Experience using MS Office Products such as MS Excel, Word and PowerPoint.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Training and/or experience in a molecular biology, microbiology, or chemistry lab; and

• Experience using R Studio and GIS.

Location:  This job will be located EPA’s facility in Gulf Breeze, FL.

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $21.37 for hours worked.

Hours: Full-time

Travel: No overnight travel is anticipated.

Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin April 2021. The selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The initial project is through May 14, 2021, with up to 4 additional option periods.

For more information, contact EPAjobs@orau.org. Do not contact EPA directly.

• Be at least 18 years of age and

• Have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or a related field of study from an accredited university or college within the last 24 months and

• Be a citizen of the United States of America or a Legal Permanent Resident.

EPA ORD employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
• Minimum Overall GPA: 2.00
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (46 )

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with at least a Bachelor’s degree in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or a related field of study from an accredited university or college within the last 24 months; a citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States of America; and not a current employee of EPA ORD or the spouse or child of an EPA ORD employee.

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