• Submit application and supporting documents by clicking on Apply Now button.
• Do not contact EPA directly.

For more information, contact EPAjobs@orau.org.

Background:

The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for an EPA Fungal Research Associate position at the EPA Research Triangle Park facility in Raleigh Durham, NC.

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 National Risk Management Research Lab (NRMRL) seeks to determine what environmental risks exist and how to manage those risk in a way best suited to protect human health and the environment. The mission is to advance scientific and engineering solutions to manage current and future environmental risk.  NRMRL’s research portfolio spans the five goals outlined in EPA’s strategic plan, and directly supports efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, manage chemical risks, clean up hazardous waste sites, and protect America's water.

The selected candidate shall provide bench research, data collection and data analysis support to the EPA-TDA CRADA research project. This is a combination of lab work including fungal organism management and manipulation, records management, data collection, quality control, as well as performing qualitative and quantitative data analysis. He/she shall work with other members of APPCD’s biolab team to forward this research, maintain quality control entered data, and perform analysis.  He/she will be a member of a multi-disciplinary research team and will be trained to support the development, and progression of the Martin Pena CRADA.

Data collection and analysis responsibilities shall include:

• Analyzing growth, purification and maintenance of fungal strains from the Martin Pena channel community study,
• Inoculating fungal organisms onto substrates for testing,
• Applying antimicrobial treatment to substrates,
• Collecting and re-growing treated fungal organisms, and
• Performing quantitative analysis of antimicrobial treatment.

Communication-related responsibilities will include:

• Participating as a member of a multi-disciplinary research team,
• Interacting with other members of the CRADA team as well as EPA scientists, and
• Documenting all research activities in an appropriate manner.

The selected candidate may be asked to present work performed as a poster at a scientific conference.

Location: This job will be located at EPA’s Research Triangle facility in Raleigh-Durham, NC.

Salary: The selected applicant will become a full time temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $20.65 for hours worked.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.

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 the candidate, and review the candidate’s work. 

Expected Start Date: The position start date is August 2016. The selected applicant will be temporary employees of ORAU working as contractors to EPA. The initial contract period is through May 14, 2017. EPA may elect to renew the contract for an additional three 12-month optional periods

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 microbiology, biochemistry, plant pathology, toxicology, biology, or a 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:

• Demonstrate education and/or experience in microbiology and/or cell biology,
• Possess a working knowledge of culturing and manipulating microorganisms,
• Possess a working knowledge of aseptic techniques, and
• Possess strong written, oral and electronic communication skills. 

• 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 microbiology, biochemistry, plant pathology, toxicology, biology, or a 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.