Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research: Integrating Social and Environmental Sciences

Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA-ORD-IOAA-SHC-2017-01
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 participation training opportunity is currently 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 Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research Program, Immediate Office of the Assistant Administrator (IOAA), in Research Triangle Park, NC.

This ORD research program aims to provide relevant and applicable science-based knowledge to inform effective State, local, regional or federal decision making that affects community health, wellbeing, environmental quality, resilience, and economic vitality. Community stakeholders have especially requested assistance minimizing potential adverse consequences of decisions, capturing multiple benefits, and maximizing long term cost-effectiveness of actions.  

This research project is to explore and document the parties who are working in this topic area (e.g. the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS), the American Planning Association (APA) or the American Public Health Association (APHA)) -- to determine:  what similar or complementary science is being developed or used; what practitioners could and would  use this kind of science; where are critical gaps in needed knowledge; and, ultimately, who are potential collaborators and users of this EPA science.

The participant may develop expertise in various SHC research projects and research planning efforts, both at the program level and project levels, the experience of how these have been developed in response to stakeholder input, and how they have been translated to practice. Specific attention can be given to exploring ways that EPA research can effectively support: cooperative federalism efforts underway, such as those with ECOS (https://www.ecos.org/);  healthy communities efforts like the 8-Party Joint Call to Action to Promote Healthy Communities (https://www.planning.org/nationalcenters/health/calltoaction/); and resilience efforts, such as the Rockefeller Foundation's 100 Resilient Cities initiative (http://www.100resilientcities.org/). Past outreach and translation efforts can provide the start of exploring the "landscape."

The participant will collaborate with a multidisciplinary research team including EPA scientists and other partners. Upon arrival, the participant will develop a research project plan in coordination with the mentor. S/he will have latitude in exercising independent initiative and judgment in the research commensurate with the level of training. There may be opportunities to develop peer-reviewed publications and present research findings at national meetings, as well as to develop a network of contacts in this science a

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. 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 Andrew Geller (geller.andrew@epa.gov). The desired start date is October 2, 2017.

Qualifications

Applicants must have received a bachelor's degree in environmental studies, public health or related biological and/or ecological studies, within five years of the desired starting date, or completion of the degree must have been received prior to the starting date. Practical application of science to community or local government management actions and decision making for better outcomes in community health, environmental quality and local economic vitality is desired.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (1 )
    • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (1 )
    • Earth and Geosciences (2 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (4 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (4 )
    • Mathematics and Statistics (1 )
    • Other Non-Science & Engineering (1 )
    • Social and Behavioral Sciences (4 )
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