A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcripts – Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional references

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

If you have questions, send an email to EPArpp@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.

A research opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD)/National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL). This appointment will be served with the Environmental Public Health Division (EPHD) in Research Triangle Park, NC.

EPHD is conducting geospatial analyses on the roles and interactions of natural infrastructure, urban populations, and built/cultural resources in aspects of community sustainability and resilience. This project explores ways in which data, maps and information on ecosystem services (nature’s benefits) to communities can best inform potential users and decision makers. The participant will be involved in collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to develop multimedia, instructional, and background content and surveys to maximize impact and usefulness of EPA’s EnviroAtlas (www.epa.gov/enviroatlas), a web-based mapping tool to support considerations of sustainability and resilience in decisions. 

The research participant will gain experience by:

• exploring and researching new and innovative ways to communicate ecosystem services from environmental, economic, and public health perspectives
• developing innovative methods including surveys for gathering information about the user experience.
• conducting research with information gathered from workshop and stakeholder meetings to determine best practices to communicate the complexity and depth of EnviroAtlas content to a wide range of community decision makers and other users
• designing and developing translational materials based on the feedback s/he gathers from the EnviroAtlas user community
• reviewing literature on the linkages between ecosystems, ecosystem services, and public health outcomes, and will research methods for communicating the outcomes of that literature review for maximum impact

The participant will gain experience in:

• garnering input on the effectiveness of science translation, and analyzing the overall impact on public response
• oral communication and in developing effective written materials for educational and public outreach
• familiarity with software such as Drupal, Indesign and Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office
• developing his/her public speaking skills and interacting with many different types of user groups.
• honing his/her public opinion survey and survey analysis skills and may have the opportunity to attend community and tribal outreach training

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA.   

Applicants must have received a master’s degree in environmental science, public health, science communications, ecosystem services, social science or a related field within five years of the desired starting date or completion of all requirements for the degree prior to the starting date. Knowledge of environmental education curricula will enhance the research experience.  

The appointment is full time for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend. Funding may be made available to reimburse the participant’s travel expenses to present the results of his/her research at scientific conferences. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for pre-appointment visits, relocation costs, tuition and fees, or participant’s health insurance. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee.

The mentor for this project is Laura Jackson (jackson.laura@epa.gov). The desired start date for this appointment is March 1, 2016.

• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (3 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (3 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (1 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (3 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (4 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (3 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (4 )