EPA Pesticide Exposure Research Associate

Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA-SSP-0024-11
Description

The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for an EPA Pesticide Exposure Research Associate with the Office of Research and Development 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 Cardiopulmonary and Immunotoxicology Branch (CIB) of the Environmental Public Health Division (EPHD) provides expertise in the conduct of toxicology studies that assess the impact of environmental exposures on the cardiopulmonary and immune systems of healthy animals and animal models of susceptibility. 

The selected candidate shall work on a project to determine the effects of pesticide exposure on immunocompetence of bees. Under supervision, he/she will participate in a variety of activities associated with research and normal laboratory operations including conduct of experiments, meetings to discuss data and/or other relevant topics, reading of relevant literature, maintenance of laboratory notebooks and maintaining accurate inventories of chemicals and supplies, and maintaining general cleanliness and function of the lab.  As part of this research effort, he/she shall be required to complete all levels of in-house training necessary to be compliant with health, safety and animal use guidelines.

Administrative responsibilities will include:

  • Performing data entry and analysis using office and laboratory software,
  • Performing searches of the scientific literature, and
  • Completing additional duties, as requested, according to specifications and instructions provided by the mentor.

Communications-related responsibilities will 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, and

The candidate 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 bee colonies in the laboratory and onsite apiaries,
  • Performing in vivo laboratory work under supervision, including handling of living bees, experimental manipulation of living bees and tissue collection and processing,
  • Independently following written laboratory protocols, 
  • Preparing solutions and workspaces for laboratory experiments, and
  • Completing experiments in an organized and efficient manner.

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

Salary: Selected applicant will become temporary employees of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $20.65 for hours worked.

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. 

This position requires working in a laboratory and onsite apiaries with living bees.   Given the potential hazards associated stinging insects, the successful applicant cannot be allergic to bee stings.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Expected Start Date: The position is full time and expected to begin July 2016.  The selected applicant will be a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The initial contract period is through May 14, 2017, followed by three (3) additional 12 month option periods.

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 a Bachelor’s degree in physiology, biology, molecular biology, toxicology, environmental sciences, entomology, cell biology or closely related field 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 have:

  • Basic experience 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 RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis and PCR,
  • Basic experience working with hazardous substances,
  • Experience collecting data, maintaining a detailed scientific laboratory notebook and electronic record keeping,
  • Familiarity with basic laboratory health and safety procedures,
  • Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills,
  • Strong organizational skills including experience preparing spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations,
  • Demonstrated ability to adhere to assigned deadlines,
  • Demonstrated ability to perform scientific literature searches using databases (i.e. PubMed and Web of Science), and
  • Basic knowledge of standard computer programs (i.e. Excell, Word, PowerPoint).    

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.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
  • Overall GPA: 2.00
  • Discipline(s):
    • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
    • Engineering (2 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
Affirmation

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in physiology, biology, molecular biology, toxicology, environmental sciences, entomology, cell biology or closely related field 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.

ORAU is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability); visit the ORAU website for required employment notices.