Human Cell Research (Part-Time) Support at EPA

Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA-SSP-0028-4
How to Apply

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 a part-time (up to 32 hours per week) Human Cell Research Support position at EPA 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 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 National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL) conducts systems-based, effects research needed to achieve sustainable health and wellbeing. The NHEERL Reducing the Impact of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) research project aims to develop assays to investigate the effects of cyanotoxins on primary human cells. This project will provide information and tools that improve the ability of local, state and national stakeholders to manage the risks posed by HABs.  This project will also provide stakeholders and decision makers with improved scientific information and tools to more effectively assess and manage HABs and associated toxicity events.

The selected candidate shall provide scientific support on tasks related to the assessment of the toxic effects of various microcystin congeners. He/she shall also provide support for experiments examining the uptake of microcystin congeners into human cells and how those differences in uptake may affect the expression of toxicological endpoints (e.g., metabolism, cytotoxicity, cancer pathway activation). This shall include the experimental analysis and the development of experimental tools in accordance with the priorities of the project.

The selected candidate shall be involved in the following activities:

  • Evaluating the scientific literature and toxicological databases for information relevant to microcystins, cancer pathways, and the human liver and colon;
  • Preparing timelines/schedules for completing scientific experiments and analyses, while keeping the mentor informed about progress; 
  • Participating in a range of scientific efforts, including:
    • Culturing human cells (reanimation, propagation, and freezing) using proper sterile/aseptic techniques
    • Developing experimental methods
    • Performing experiments and data analyses
  • Entering data into spreadsheets and performing statistical analyses as required; 
  • Maintaining careful, easily legible, and accurate records in a laboratory notebook or electronic journal; and
  • Following established quality assurance (QA) procedures and protocols to ensure that all data generated are scientifically sound, defensible, and of known and acceptable quality for their intended uses.

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

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage for hours worked at a rate of $20.96 per hour.  The selected candidate will work part time (up to 32 hours per week).

Hours: Part-time, up to 32 hours per week.

Travel: Travel by the student is not anticipated.

Working Conditions: The selected candidate will be supervised by a mentor who will provide direction and review the student contractor’s work.  The mentor for this position will be a federal EPA employee. 

This position will involve work in a laboratory setting and may involve exposure to cyanotoxins.

Expected Start Date: The position start date is November 2017. The selected applicant will be temporary employees of ORAU working as contractors to EPA. The initial contract period is through May 14, 2018. EPA may elect to renew the contract for an additional two (2) 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 Bachelor’s degree in biology, toxicology, biochemistry, pharmacology, cell biology or a 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

Successful candidates will have:

  • At least one year of experience using sterile/aseptic techniques to keep cell cultures free of contamination;
  • At least one year of experience in the experimental use, reanimation, propagation, and freezing of adherent primary mammalian cells;
  • At least one year of experience entering data into spreadsheets, analyzing data using statistical software other than, MS Excel, and creating graphs; and
  • At least one year of experience counting and determining the viability of cells using a hemocytometer.

Certification:

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with at least a Bachelor’s degree in biology, toxicology, biochemistry, pharmacology, cell biology or a 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.

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).
  • Discipline(s):
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
    • 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 Bachelor’s degree in biology, toxicology, biochemistry, pharmacology, cell biology or a 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.