Cell Culture Exposure Research Associate at EPA

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.

Reference Code

EPA-SSP-0024-3 5-24-18

Opportunity

Cell Culture Exposure Research Associate at EPA

Background:

The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for an EPA Cell Culture Exposure Research Associate with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Research Triangle Park, 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 Inhalation Toxicology Facilities Branch (ITFB) of the Environmental Public Health Division (EPHD) provides expertise in the conduct of non-clinical inhalation toxicology studies that assess the impact of environmental exposures on in-vitro and in-vivo models of susceptibility. ITFB has designed and developed an in-vitro air liquid interface (ALI) exposure system called the Cell Culture Exposure System (CCES).

The research proposed for the selected candidate would be to introduce select cell cultures into the Cell Culture Exposure System (CCES) and to help couple the biology to the engineering to achieve successful ALI exposures.  Operations are currently underway exposing cells to select volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with the CCES; however, the selected candidate will allow for expansion of these studies that would help to successfully achieve this effort. The selected candidate shall work with other members of ITFB’s team to maintain the CCES, facilitate cell cultures, conduct cell culture assays, quality control data, and perform downstream analysis. The candidate shall be a member of a multi-disciplinary research team and shall be trained to support the development, maintenance, and operation of CCES and cell cultures. 

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Administrative responsibilities shall include:

• Performing data entry and analysis using office and laboratory software
• Performing searches of the scientific literature
• Under supervision, writing operating procedures for routinely performed laboratory activities.
• Completing additional duties, as requested, per specifications and instructions provided by the mentor

Communications-related responsibilities shall include:

• Participating as a member of a multi-disciplinary research team
• Interacting with other members of the development team as well as EPA scientists
• Maintaining accurate laboratory records, both electronically and in designated notebooks, and organizing and collating data where appropriate.
• Assisting the team in developing oral presentations using graphics and other interactive formats
• May be asked to present work performed as a poster at a scientific conference

Laboratory responsibilities shall include:

• Interacting with laboratory researchers while conducting laboratory research studies
• Establishing and maintaining cell cultures in the laboratory and during exposures. 
• Performing assays of cell cultures specific to biological endpoints
• Performing in vitro laboratory work under supervision, including handling of cell cultures, experimental manipulation of cell cultures
• Independently following written laboratory protocols 
• Preparing exposure systems and workspaces for laboratory experiments
• Completing experiments in an organized and efficient manner

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

Salary: Selected applicants will become temporary employees of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $21.27 for hours worked.

Hours: Full-time.

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 his/her work.  The mentor for this position will be a federal EPA employee. 

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Expected Start Date: The position is full time and expected to begin August 2018.  The selected applicant will be a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The initial contract period is through May 14, 2019, followed by one (1) additional 12 month option period.

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

Qualifications

Eligible applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and
• Have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree in biology, toxicology, chemistry, environmental sciences, physics, 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

Successful candidate shall have:

• Basic experience (at least three months) working in a laboratory setting
• Experience following written protocols
• Proficiency performing basic chemistry calculations, preparing solutions and pipetting
• Basic experience with biochemical assays, in vitro assays and molecular biology techniques including mutagenicity, cytotoxicity (determined by any of several methods), genotoxicity, and possibly other endpoints, such as the flow-based micronucleus assay, and RNA isolation
• Basic experience working with hazardous substances
• Experience collecting data, maintaining a detailed scientific laboratory notebook and electronic record keeping
• Experience with basic laboratory health and safety procedures.
• Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills
• Strong organizational skills including experience preparing spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations as well as demonstrated ability to adhere to assigned deadlines

• 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):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (5 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
  • Physics (16 )

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with at least a Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, marine biology, zoology, chemistry, geography, geospatial sciences, or a 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.