Risk Assessment
A complete application consists of:
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An application
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Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
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A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
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Two educational or professional references
All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
If you have questions, send an email to EPArpp@orau.org . Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.
A postgraduate research project training opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER). The appointment will be served in the Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI) in Arlington, Virginia.
OSRTI manages the cleanup of hazardous waste sites under the authority of CERCLA regulation. The Science Policy Branch (SPB), a branch within OSTRI, is the national focal point for expertise associated with technical issues for the Superfund program. SPB develops technical policies and guidance for risk assessment, sediments, groundwater, soils, and vapor intrusion. SPB also addresses the technical issues (developing cleanup levels, etc.) as necessary for specific contaminants, such as PCBs, lead, radiation, dioxin, and asbestos, and serves as the point of contact for OSRTI in matters dealing with the peer review policy, quality assurance policies, and modeling. Additionally, SPB administers the Technical Review Workgroup (TRW) whose goal is to support and promote consistent application of the best science in the field of risk assessment for metals and asbestos at contaminated sites nationwide.
The objective of this project is to develop, based on existing scientific information, new tools, training, guidance, and outreach materials regarding the characterization and cleanup of contaminated soils, groundwater, and indoor air at Superfund sites. The ORISE intern may be involved in one or more highly technical projects related to developing and/or analyzing Risk Assessment science and tools for specific contaminants of concern at Superfund Sites. These projects will be chosen based on his/her education and interests.
At this time, SPB anticipates that the intern will focus primarily on concentrations of select radionuclides considered acceptable by several national and international programs. This study will look at radionuclides commonly found at Superfund sites, and the concentrations of those radionuclides at minimally acceptable cleanup levels assuming several land uses based on the human health risk or dose assessment models and guidance (e.g., USEPA PRG and DCC calculators, USDOE RESRAD, USNRC D&D Screen, New Jersey RaSoRs, United Kingdom RCLEA, French IRSNM SYMBIOSE, German WISMUT, IAEA NORMALYSIA, NRCP Report 129) recommended for several domestic or international cleanup programs that remediate radioactively contaminated sites. The study will also evaluate default parameters and contamination source assumptions in each model, and comparison of different models when adjusted to use similar input parameters and target risk/dose level. This study will start with modeling of soil contamination but may be expanded to address other contaminated media (e.g., water, air, inside buildings). As new contaminants emerge as a potential issue of concern at Superfund sites, the fellow may be asked to re-focus their efforts to help address new priorities and areas of emphasis. The ORISE intern will interact with toxicologists, engineers and chemists in the Science Policy Branch in the development of these technical materials. S/he will collaborate with toxicologists, engineers and chemists in SPB in the development of these technical materials. The intern may have the opportunity to draft documents, attend and present on conference calls and at meetings, and collaborate with reviewers of draft documents.
The intern will be mentored by an EPA staff member and will become part of an EPA team involved in conducting interviews with national experts to develop draft technical documents with and for use by Regional personnel. In addition, at the end of each 12 month period the intern will prepare a summary report describing the research performed, impact on the fellow’s educational advancement, and feedback/key lessons that may assist SPB and the fellow with enhancing the fellowship the following 12 months or for other fellows.
Through this project, the intern will gain: first-hand knowledge of EPA’s Superfund Program and observe how EPA coordinates with external parties to meet national goals; development benefit through direct exposure to the intersection of science and policy via EPA’s Superfund program; and skills and experience related to risk assessment, and technical knowledge of the most common contaminants found at Superfund sites across the country.
This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA.
Applicants must have received a bachelor’s or master’s (preferred) degree in toxicology, chemistry, physics, engineering or biology within five years of the desired starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting date. Knowledge of human health or ecological risk assessment as well as statistics is desirable.
The appointment is full time for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend. The annual stipend will range from $51,000 up to $81,000 depending on level of education. Funding may be made available to reimburse the participant's travel expenses to present the results of his/her research at scientific conferences. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for pre-appointment visits, relocation costs, tuition and fees, or a participant's health insurance. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee.
The mentor for this project is Michael Scozzafava (scozzafava.michaelE@epa.gov).
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