Citizen Science and Emerging Technologies Research

Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA-ORD-NERL-EMMD-2016-11
How to Apply

A complete application consists of:      

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.

Description

A research training opportunity is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD)/National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL). This appointment will be served with the Exposure Methods & Measurement Division (EMMD) in Research Triangle Park, NC. 

The research participant will collaborate in a multidisciplinary environment devoted to the discovery, integration, and application of emerging technologies with citizen science research opportunities within the US EPA's Office of Research and Development's Emerging Technologies research team. This team is instrumental in discovery and or development of novel low cost air quality sensors, evaluating these sensors for their capabilities, and then working with a wide variety of stakeholders (e.g., citizens/Tribal Nations/air quality professionals/academics) on this knowledge transfer. The participant's research will be within the confines of the emerging technologies team environment which includes professionals with the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) as well as the US EPA's Air, Climate and Energy's (ACE) National Program Director's office.  

The participant will be engaged in training opportunities ranging from air quality sensor evaluations to development of peer review materials documenting such events for public release. Transfer of the knowledge the collective emerging technologies team has gained from its effort will result in the participant developing fact sheets, web content, and presentation materials relaying scientific information in a format understandable by the public. The participant will interact with citizen scientists and others with mentor guidance as a way of gaining experience involving public interactions.

The participant shall be involved in air quality sensor deployment opportunities in select locations. These may represent ongoing studies or those currently being planned.  These events shall provide experience in developing the necessary research materials (e.g., quality assurance plans, operating procedures) to meet study objectives.  

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.

Qualifications

Applicants must have received a master's degree in citizen science, environmental science, electrical engineering, public health, physical sciences, chemistry, and computer science within the last five years of the desired start date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the start date.

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 Amanda Kaufman (Kaufman.Amanda@epa.gov) and the anticipated start date is January 30, 2017. 

Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (2 )
    • Communications and Graphics Design (3 )
    • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (4 )
    • Earth and Geosciences (1 )
    • Engineering (2 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (2 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (1 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (2 )
    • Physics (1 )
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (1 )