Background:

The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for an EPA Isotope Analyst with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Corvallis, Oregon.

The Office of Research and Development at the EPA conducts research that will aid in reducing pollution in the nation’s water. The Safe and Sustainable Water Research Program (SSWR) is a program within ORD seeking to protect the quantity and quality of water within the USA.  Nitrogen is a major pollutant of concern, but is a non-point source pollutant, making control of nitrogen inputs to streams challenging.  Accurate understanding of the sources and fate of nitrogen within watersheds is a key goal in this research.

Measuring the stable isotopes of nitrate provides key insights into both the sources and fate of nitrogen within watersheds. The Integrated Stable Isotope Research Facility (ISIRF) at the Western Ecology Division is a state of the art isotope facility with the necessary equipment and knowledge for making such measurements, but lacks a capable individual to spearhead this technique.

We are seeking an individual, at least 18 years of age with chemistry and microbiological skills, to assist in the implementation of the nitrate isotope technique at ISIRF.

The candidate will assist in implementation and testing of the nitrate isotope technique, and assist in developing the appropriate quality assurance and quality control for this technique.

 Responsibilities will include: 

• Working with microbiologists to maintain a pure bacterial strain of P. chlororaphis necessary for the technique.

• Working with isotope biogeochemists to implement the nitrate isotope technique.
• Working with isotope biogeochemists to operate an infrared laser stable isotope spectrometer and learn about operation of an isotope ratio mass spectrometer.
• Working with quality assurance managers to develop appropriate QA/QC for the procedure.
• Writing documentation for implementing the nitrate isotope technique.
• Tracking and documenting nitrate samples through ISIRF for this technique.

Location: This job will be located at EPA’s facility in Corvallis, Oregon.

Salary: Selected applicants will become temporary employees of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $19.45 for hours worked.

Travel: Some travel may be expected.

Working Conditions:  This position will involve work in a laboratory setting and may involve exposure to hazardous elements.

Expected Start Date: The position is full time and expected to begin in August 2015. The initial project is through May 14, 2016, and may be renewable for two (2) 12 month option periods.

For more information, contact EPAjobs@orau.org.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and
• Have earned a Bachelor’s degree in science with at least a minor in chemistry, or strong work experience in chemical analysis, 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

Successful candidates will have:

• Experience in Gas chromatography,
• Experience and aptitude for troubleshooting laboratory instrumentation problems,
• Experience in bacterial culturing,
• Possess strong laboratory skills, including laboratory notebooks, chain of custody documentation and adherence to QA/QC procedures,
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, and
• Enthusiasm for learning about stable isotope theory and isotope ratio mass spectrometers.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (5 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (10 )
  • Physics (16 )

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in science with at least a minor in chemistry, or strong work experience in chemical analysis, 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.