Ecological Risk Assessment

Organization
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Reference Code
EPA-ORD-NCEA-RTP-2018-01
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 training opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD)/National Center for Environmental Assessment (NCEA). The appointment will be served in Research Triangle Park, NC.

NCEA is responsible for developing Integrated Science Assessments (ISAs) on the human health and welfare (e.g., ecological, climate, visibility, and materials) effects of the criteria air pollutants including particulate matter, ozone, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and lead. These highly influential science assessments form the scientific basis for the National Ambient Air Quality Standards. NCEA assessments typically have significant implications for national and international environmental policy development and implementation.

The research participant will engage in research projects aimed at assessing the ecological effects of criteria air pollutants, which may also involve evaluating deposition/exposure and fate/transport of pollutants. These research projects will be conducted in collaboration with scientists across disciplines (atmospheric science, exposure assessment, toxicology, epidemiology, and ecology). The research training activities may include:

  • Designing and implementing analyses of the ecological effects of air pollutants, including statistical analyses of existing data
  • Developing, improving, or evaluating existing models of pollutant interactions with physical, chemical or biological systems
  • Conducting literature reviews, interpreting scientific study results, and writing summaries of published research
  • Contributing to sections of highly influential science assessments
  • Preparing peer-reviewed manuscripts and reports

The research participant will benefit by learning approaches used in EPA’s scientific assessments for the evaluation, analysis, and integration of evidence on the ecological effects of environmental pollutant exposures. The research participant will have the opportunity to be involved in a variety of projects that can include qualitative or quantitative analyses of study findings and data, and to synthesize the findings to support highly influential science assessments. The research participant will gain an understanding of how scientific evidence is used to inform EPA decision-making processes. The research participant will collaborate with scientific staff in NCEA and potentially scientists from other EPA Labs, Centers or Offices, and universities. The research participant may also interact with EPA policy staff since scientific assessments are used to support rule-making

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 12 months, 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 Hotchkiss (hotchkiss.andrew@epa.gov).

Qualifications

Applicants must have received a doctoral degree in ecology, biology, ecotoxicology, environmental sciences or closely related field within five years of the desired start date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting date.

Eligibility Requirements
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
  • Discipline(s):
    • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (1 )
    • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (6 )
    • Life Health and Medical Sciences (7 )
    • Other Non-Science & Engineering (1 )
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