Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Associate at EPA

Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA-SSP-0027-10R-8-11-17
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.
Description

The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for an Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 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 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 Exposure Methods and Measurement Division (EMMD) of ORD’s National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL) provides the science that underlies the measurement of environmental stressors and their interaction with biological systems. This science includes method development, evaluation, and field and laboratory testing. These measurement methods are foundational to the Agency’s regulatory programs and stakeholder needs in protecting public health and the environment.

EMMD scientists:

  • Develop methods for measuring stressors (chemical, biological, physical, and psychosocial) in environmental and biological media
  • Design and conduct measurement-based studies (field and laboratory) to identify sources (forensics),inform fate and transport processes, and estimate exposure and dose for ecological and human receptors

EMD scientists are critical collaborators in providing measurements for:

  • Exposure classification in epidemiologic studies
  • Exposure the context of risk assessment
  • Dose estimation for environmentally relevant toxicological studies
  • EPA Program and Regional Offices, who serve public and stakeholder needs

The selected candidate shall work with supervisory chemists and project leaders to support the analysis of chemical mixtures, environmental samples, and biological samples using high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS). Sample preparation activities may include dilution, extraction, transfer, mixture preparation, and reconstitution. Analyses shall be performed primarily using ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC) coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF). The selected candidate shall be involved in the analyses of data generated from laboratory experiments using a variety of software. He/she shall help write laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs) for new methods/procedures, perform routine experiments according to these SOPs, keep detailed laboratory notebooks and electronic data files, and communicate clearly with other laboratory staff and project leaders. He/she shall help prepare scientific manuscripts describing methods and results of laboratory analyses. He/she shall abide by quality assurance requirements as stated in the NERL/EMMD Quality Assurance Project Plan entitled “Non-Targeted Analyses (NTA) and Suspect Screening of Chemicals in Environmental and Biological Samples in the Analytical Laboratories” (D-EMMD-PHCB-006-QAPP-01).

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

Salary: Selected applicant will become temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $28.14 for hours worked.

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 them, and review their work. 

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Expected Start Date: The position is full time and expected to begin September 2017.  The selected applicant will be a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The initial contract period is through May 14, 2018, followed by two (2) 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 at least a Master’s degree in analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, environmental chemistry, biochemistry, or a 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.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

Successful candidate shall possess:

  • Demonstrated education and/or experience in a chemistry and/or biochemistry laboratory,
  • Working knowledge of liquid chromatography (LC) and mass spectrometry (MS),
  • Experience using UPLC QTOF instruments,
  • Experience using vendor or open software (e.g., XCMS) for processing data generated on high resolution MS instruments, and
  • Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills.
Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
  • Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
    • Engineering (1 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
Affirmation

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; have earned at least a Master’s degree in analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, environmental chemistry, biochemistry, or a 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.

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


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