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

The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for an Ecotoxicology Research Support position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA’s facility in Duluth, Minnesota.

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.

The Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED) is one of four ecology divisions of the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL). The Mid-Continent Ecology Division is located in Duluth, MN. The MED is the focal point of ORD research related to both freshwater and avian ecotoxicology. A primary objective of the ecotoxicological research at MED is to provide the scientific basis and technological means to enable the prediction of whether or not an environmental agent will produce adverse effects in exposed organisms and minimize the uncertainty of such predictions. The ecological modeling group at MED designs mathematical models that combine laboratory-collected data on toxicity and biology with life-history knowledge from the ecological literature to predict the population-level responses of animals exposed to environmental contaminants.

Duties related to the development of population-level ecotoxicological models

• Assisting with the collection and summary of life-history data on fish and birds from the ecological literature to local databases for use in model parameterization, and
• Assisting in general laboratory activities, which may include one or more of the following: fish toxicity testing, acetylcholinesterase activity assays, calorimetry, maintenance of logbooks and chemical records, keeping track of inventories of chemicals and supplies, cleaning of laboratory glassware, and maintaining general cleanliness and function of the lab.

The selected candidate may be asked to work on developing new techniques/procedures, writing operating procedures, and performing experiments with established scientists. 

Location: This job will be located at EPA’s facility in Duluth, Minnesota.

Salary: Selected applicants will become temporary employees of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $20.34 for hours worked.

Hours: Full time.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Expected Start Date: The position is full time and expected to begin in August/September 2017.  The selected applicant will be a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The initial contract period is through May 14, 2018. EPA may elect to renew the contract for an additional two (2) 12-month optional periods.

Working Conditions: The selected candidate shall be supervised by a mentor who will provide day-to-day direction, as well as coach, advise and counsel him/her, and review their work. 

Work will be performed in both office and laboratory. The majority of the work will be Monday through Friday during regular business hours, however, monitoring, maintaining or completing experiments may require the selected candidate to work some weekends or after hours with prior approval from the mentor.

 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 at least a Bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, or closely related field of study 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:

• Demonstrated education and/or experience in ornithology or toxicology, and biology,
• Experience with database management, spreadsheet preparation, and data collection, and
• Experience with Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• 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):
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with at least a Bachelor’s degree in ecology, biology, or closely related field of study 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.