• 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 Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), Public Health and Environmental Systems Division (PHESD) in Durham, North Carolina. 

Research Project: This postdoctoral research opportunity focuses on environmental epidemiologic and environmental justice research on how residence in historically redlined areas may modify the association between climate-related factors (e.g., extreme heat events) and health and well-being. This may also include evaluation of residential proximity to sources (e.g., brownfields, roadways) and sinks (e.g., greenspace) of environmental pollution, examination of disparities in exposure to ubiquitous environmental pollutants (e.g., air pollution), or spatial analyses of long-term trends in environmental contaminants. This research training opportunity aims to explore these in relation to health outcomes including, but not limited to, respiratory, cardiovascular, metabolic, reproductive and developmental, or neurological morbidity, as well as mortality (including infant mortality).

Learning Objectives: The research participant will have the opportunity to be part of an EPA team of investigators collaborating on related research projects. Potential research projects may focus on the following general areas where the research participant will learn: use of GIS for assigning proximity-based exposure to environmental pollutants, use of individual-level and contextual indicators of potential confounders; development and evaluation of statistical tools to handle highly correlated or missing environmental data in epidemiology research, utilization of large databases to investigate ubiquitous environmental exposures and adverse health outcomes.

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

• Conducting data analyses, documenting statistical code and interpretation of results
• Conducting and documenting quality assurance and review of data analyses and databases
• Compiling scientific databases
• Participating in report preparation, presentation, and summaries of the data
• Presenting at professional meetings or conferences
• Participating in authoring manuscripts

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Tom Luben (luben.tom@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Fall 2023/Winter 2024.  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. A travel/training allowance will be provided to the candidate to present project-related research data and results at scientific meetings (e.g., conferences and workshops). 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 doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields or be currently pursuing the degree with completion by the appointment start date. The degree must have been received within the past five years of the anticipated appointment start date.

• Background in environmental health or environmental epidemiology
• Experience in conducting epidemiological and statistical analyses 
• Experience with GIS or spatial analyses

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Discipline(s):
  • Earth and Geosciences (4 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (2 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (4 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (1 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (1 )