• 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. Click here for detailed information about recommendations.

*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 opportunity is available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), Chemical and Pollutant Assessment Division (CPAD) in Washington, D.C. 

Research Project: The participant will contribute to the development of health assessments in EPA's CPHEA. This may include collaborating with EPA scientists on literature screening, data extraction and visualization, critical appraisal of studies for risk of bias and sensitivity, and evidence synthesis to support systematic reviews of the health effects of various chemicals. The participant may also support methods development projects aimed at enhancing our approach to systematic review. 

Under the guidance of a mentor, research activities may include:

• Applying systematic review methods to epidemiologic data
• Developing and applying the skills needed to prepare IRIS and PPRTV assessments.
• Developing analyses to support logical, credible health assessment documents for CPHEA that reflect current scientific principles and risk assessment methodologies
• Evaluating study quality for epidemiologic studies and identification of critical studies and effects for use in human health assessment
• Summarizing and extracting epidemiologic study information, and evaluation of concentration- or exposure-response relationships from epidemiologic data
• Conduct independent epidemiological research projects, with guidance from an EPA mentor, and author peer-reviewed publications based on this research
• Attaining technical proficiency in the implementation of systematic review methods and develop and/or adhere to standard operating and quality assurance procedures for systematic review
• Presenting research findings at branch and division meetings, and local and national/international scientific conferences in the form of posters, platform talks, and/or invited seminars 
• Preparing and submitting original manuscripts containing research results to peer-reviewed journals for publication
• Learning about a variety of EPA priorities by attending and actively participating in project team, branch, division All-Scientists meetings, and CPAD’s Epidemiology Working Group meetings

Learning Objectives: The participant will have the opportunity to learn approaches for the evaluation, analysis, and integration of epidemiologic evidence on the health effects of environmental pollutant exposures that inform EPA’s scientific assessments. The research participant will have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of projects that can include qualitative or quantitative analyses of epidemiologic study findings and data. The participant will gain understanding of how scientific evidence is integrated to create policy-relevant assessments and how those assessments ultimately inform EPA’s decision-making processes.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this project is Francesca Branch (branch.francesca@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 1, 2023.  All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors. Click here for detailed information about start dates.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year and may be renewed 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. 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.

ORISE offers all ORISE EPA graduate students and Postdocs a free 5 year membership to the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA).

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

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

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields or be currently pursuing the degree with completion before the appointment start date. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.  

• Epidemiologic analysis
• Understanding of epidemiology principles
• Data analysis and visualization
• Critical appraisal of peer reviewed literature/ evaluation of research findings (e.g., review for strengths and limitations)
• Human study design and conduct
• Scientific writing 

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 9/1/2023 11:59:00 PM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (10 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (1 )