The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for a Technology Transfer Research Associate with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA’s facility in Cincinnati, OH.

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.

There is a great challenge and opportunity to improve the availability, dissemination, and use of federally developed technology. Over the years, several federal efforts have been undertaken to promote the transfer of technology from the federal government to state and local jurisdictions and to the private sector. The primary law affording access to the federal laboratory system is P.L. 96-480, the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, as amended by the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986 (P.L. 99-502), the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act (P.L. 101-418), and the National Competitiveness Technology Transfer Act of 1989 (P.L. 101-189). This legislation firmly establishes technology transfer as a mission of all federal laboratories and facilities. In addition, these legislative acts have given federal agencies the authority to enter directly into cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) with universities and private companies.

The EPA Technology Innovation Cluster under the ORD/IOAA promotes and coordinates transfer of technology to the private sector in coordination with EPA Laboratories / Offices / Centers (LCO’s). Under authority of the Federal Technology Transfer Act (FTTA), EPA seeks to transfer federal technologies into the private sector and collaborate on environmental research and development projects with industry, academia, trade associations, and state/local agencies. The candidate will have a great opportunity to support transfer of technology to the private sector. The candidate will be introduced to various EPA and private sector-developed technology and intellectual property (IP) and confidential business information (CBI). This candidate will also work with other EPA staff and non-EPA stakeholders in the development and preparation of technology transfer documents. The candidate will be required to protect IP and CBI as it is provided and generated through the transfer of technology into the private sector.

This position requires working with the EPA technology transfer liaison in the oversight of the transfer of various EPA-developed technology and intellectual property (IP) into the private sector, analyzing the market potential of new and innovative technologies, and developing strategies for moving EPA-developed technology and intellectual property (IP) technology into the private sector.

Management and Administrative responsibilities will include:

• Identifying and evaluating the market niche analysis, market opportunity potential, and analyzing trends associated to the technology and determining the best way to communicate this information
• Maintaining records of meetings, correspondence, CRADAs partnerships, patents, patent application process, estimated budget, action documents, and other records pertaining to technology transfer
• Assisting government (research staff) and non-government (the potential partner) stakeholders in the design and development of specific CRADAs and corresponding documentation and paperwork to assist with a path forward for technology transfer and commercialization
• Maintaining and updating tools such as an informational database, spreadsheets, and/or other applications to track technology transfer projects and other technology transfer related records
• Assisting in the review of technical documents generated by others to assure IP is not being inadvertently disclosed. (This will be done in direct oversight by the mentor and in coordination with the EPA research scientific and engineering staff.)
• Assisting government personnel with the initiation of required technology transfer documentation and shepherding the collaborative efforts, as needed, as technology collaborations move forward
• Supporting the transfer of technology with the private sector that will lead to a better understanding of the FTTA program and processes
• Conducting patent searches and background investigations of non-EPA potential partners

Communications-related responsibilities will include:

• Assisting in the logistics and coordination activities for briefings, meetings, workshops, and other collaborative efforts
• Assisting the team in developing oral presentations results and impacts using graphics and other interactive formats
• Assisting in developing summary analysis documents of results and impacts from technology transfer related activities
• Facilitating the appropriate communication and outreach related to technology transfer related activities, including creating one-page summaries, developing longer pieces based on directed background research, and developing communication materials for wider audiences

Location: This job will be located at EPA’s facility in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Salary: Selected applicants will become temporary employees of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $20.49 for hours worked.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required. Travel may be required for the student to participate in technology transfer at various national and international technical symposia, conferences, and workshops.

Expected Start Date: The position is full time and expected to begin January 2016.  The selected applicant will be a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The initial contract period is through May 14, 2016. EPA may elect to renew the contract for an additional four 12-month optional periods.

Working Conditions: This position will involve work in an administrative setting and is not expected to involve exposure to hazardous elements.

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

Eligible applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and
• Have earned a Bachelor’s degree in a legal, business, marketing, finance, or economics discipline 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.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

The applicant shall have:

• Knowledge of technology commercialization or business development;
• Knowledge of technology transfer, protection of IP, and licensing technology;
• Strong written, oral, and electronic communications skills;
• Demonstrated leadership skills; and
• Experience working in teams.

How to apply:

Submit application and supporting documents by clicking on Apply Now button.

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

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (11 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (5 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (28 )

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in a legal, business, marketing, finance, or economics discipline 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.