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U.S. EPA Opportunity

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for a Cell Culture Laboratory Assistant position at EPA with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.

What the EPA project is about

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 this opening would be to introduce select cell cultures into the 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.

What you will be doing

EPA is seeking a team member who would work with other members of ITFB’s team to maintain the CCES, conduct quantitative analysis (i.e. gas chromatograph, infrared spectroscopy, etc.) of exposure atmospheres, perform calibrations of the needed analytical instruments, operate generation systems specific to each chemical, quality control data, and perform downstream analysis. You will be a member of a multi-disciplinary research team and trained to support the development, maintenance, and operation of CCES and cell cultures.

Required Skills:

• Basic experience (at least six months) working in a laboratory setting,
• Experience following written protocols,
• Proficiency performing basic chemistry calculations, quantitative analysis and calibrating instruments,
• Basic experience with instrumental analysis, calibrating, and quantitative analysis techniques including gas chromatography, dispersive and Fourier Transform infrared, and calibration systems,
• 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, and
• Strong organizational skills including experience preparing spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations as well as demonstrated ability to adhere to assigned deadlines.

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

Location: These jobs 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 candidates shall be supervised by a mentor who will provide day-to-day direction, as well as coach, advise and counsel the candidates, and review their 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 March 2019.  The selected applicants will be temporary employees of ORAU working as contractors 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.

• 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 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (13 )
  • 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 chemistry, toxicology, environmental sciences, engineering, 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.