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A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendations

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline. Click here for information about the selection process.

EPA Office/Lab and Location: A research training opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA), Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) located in Washington, DC. ORCR works to protect human health and the environment by implementing the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976. ORCR's mission is to ensure proper waste management, promote resource conservation, prevent harmful exposures, and oversee land cleanup for productive use. We do this by establishing and implementing regulatory standards and by creating best practices in collaboration with communities, governments, businesses, and other organizations. ORCR implements the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. 

Research Project: This training opportunity is currently available within EPA’s Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery’s Communications Services Staff (CSS). CSS manages the Office’s outreach and communications program. We work to increase public awareness about hazardous and solid waste, sustainable materials management, and resource conservation. To accomplish this goal, we develop and implement communications strategies, marketing, and outreach campaigns; respond to press requests; and develop products and articles highlighting ORCR’s successes and messages. We manage ORCR’s internet and intranet by posting and maintaining ORCR’s web content and developing relevant, up-to-date new content. We also create content for EPA’s social media channels to promote our web resources. \

To support such efforts, the opportunity would:

• Programmatic Support: Assist with various elements of CSS’s activities, including identifying return-on-investment program outcomes and developing products to showcase ORCR successes in creating a circular economy; preventing food waste; plastics waste; and coal ash waste. The participant will have the opportunity to use public health science to analyze relevant information, prepare literature reviews, and prepare messaging based on literature reviews
• Partnership Development: Gain experience with partnership building activities that maintain and expand the research related to RCRA work to promote RCRA successes and continuing risks at the national, state, and local levels. This may include having opportunities to engage with national partner organizations. 
• Materials Development: Draw upon public health training and experience to recommend, develop, and help promote RCRA education resources and communications materials (e.g., briefing materials, presentations, statistics) that can be shared and used across multiple formats - including via innovative print, video, and web-ready communication and products. This participant will help with framing and building out communication materials to promote ORCR's mission and share best practices.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Kristinn Sharpe (sharpe.kristinn@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor directly.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: October 2024. All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors. Click here for detailed information about start dates.

Appointment Length: The appointment initially may be for one year and may be renewed up to three additional years upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. At this time stipends levels for Bachelor’s ~$55,924, Master’s ~$68,405 and PhD ~$82,764. Click here for detailed information about full-time stipends. 

EPA Security Clearance: Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility.

Questions: Please see the FAQ section of our website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.EPA.REG@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing a bachelor's degree or have received a master's degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years. 

Preferred skills/experience:

• Environmental and/or public health research skills/experience are desired.
• Communications/marketing skills/experience are desired.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (1 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (2 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (2 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (44 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (3 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )