EPA Dietary Assessment Research Associate

Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA-SSP-0008-8
Description

The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for an EPA Dietary Assessment 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 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 selected candidate shall assist SED with support for a research project focusing on assessment of a community diet by evaluating an approach developed previously to use extant datasets that provided chemical and non-chemical stressor information. The next phase of the project is to finalize the approach for the community dietary assessment and relate it to public health issues, such as obesity, diabetes, and/or heart conditions. He/she will perform work under an existing Quality Assurance Project Plans entitled “Development of a Systematic Approach to Predict Potential Dietary Exposures of a Community that may impact Public Health.”

Responsibilities will include:

  • Maintaining a working knowledge of the current approach (model) including an understanding of the sources of data,
  • Utilizing the current approach to evaluate the impact of a community’s dietary exposure on chronic health issues,
  • Analyzing relationships between outputs from the model and health issues,
  • Demonstrating applicability of model to new communities,
  • Assisting with the inclusion of the model into CFERST,
  • Maintaining careful and accurate records in designated notebooks, and
  • Preparing peer reviewed journal articles.

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

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

Salary: The selected applicants will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $33.37 for hours worked.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Working Conditions: This position will involve work in an administrative setting and is not expected to involve exposure to hazardous elements.

The selected candidates shall be supervised by a mentor who will provide day-to-day direction, as well as coach, advise and counsel the selected candidate, and review his/her work.  The mentor for this position will be a federal EPA employee. 

Expected Start Date: The position is full time and expected to begin October 2016.  The selected applicants 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. 

Qualifications

Eligible applicants must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age and
  • Have earned at least a master’s degree and be pursuing a Ph.D. in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or a 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

Successful candidates will have:

  • Demonstrated education and/or experience in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or a related field,
  • Proficiency with ArcGIS and working with national and local datasets,
  • Familiarity with the literature with regards to chemical and non-chemical stressors as related to modeling dietary exposure,
  • Training and/or experience with statistical analysis (R is preferred but not mandatory),
  • An understanding of model development incorporating both chemical and non-chemical stressors, and
  • Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills.

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: Doctoral Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
  • Overall GPA: 2.00
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
    • Engineering (27 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (13 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
Affirmation

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with at least a master’s degree and pursuing a Ph.D. in environmental science, biology, chemistry, or a 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.


ORISE ORAU Pathfinder
ORISE

Whether you are just starting your career or already at a senior level, ORAU offers internships, fellowships, research opportunities, and contract positions that can provide you with invaluable experience. Download the ORAU Pathfinder mobile app and find the right opportunity to propel you along your career path!