Funding is available for 2 post-masters or post-bachelors via the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). Details on how to apply are here: http://orise.orau.gov/epa/description.aspx?JobId=10572 and and the application form is here: http://www.orau.gov/partform/EPA/EPA_Application.pdf
*Research Participation Program Office of Research and Development National Exposure Research Laboratory U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Athens, GA* *EPA-ORD/NERL-ERD-2012-01* *Project Description*: Postgraduate research project training opportunities are currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL). This appointment will be served in the Ecosystems Assessment Branch (EAB) within the Ecosystems Research Division (ERD), located in Athens, Georgia. This project involves the integration and application of existing ecological exposure models to assess pesticide risks to threatened and endangered species via the creation of web applications for a decision support dashboard. Research under this project directly supports the EPA's Endangered Species Protection Program (ESPP) to help promote the recovery of listed species and the registration of pesticides under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). The objective of this project is to integrate, improve, and further develop available EPA models for estimating chemical exposures in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems while incorporating important fate and transport processes. This training program will provide selected participants with the knowledge and skills needed to link physical fate/transport processes to individual/population chemical exposures on a variety of aquatic and terrestrial landscapes for a wide range of listed species. This research is closely aligned with the ongoing application of ecological models in response to EPA regulatory needs under the Endangered Species Act and the FIFRA. An important part of this training will involve the interaction with other researchers at the Ecosystems Research Division (ERD) in Athens and other offices within EPA to identify and help articulate important exposure processes that warrant improvement in exposure models and to develop algorithms for incorporation of these processes at various scales. As a member of a team of scientists at ERD that quantitatively articulates physical fate and transport processes and links them to ecological exposure model algorithms, the participant may be involved in the following activities: Linking existing EPA models into a robust decision-making framework that allows scientists to assess the impacts of regulated chemicals on listed species impacts, as well as account for localized use modifications for specific areas. Creating web applications that make use of scientific computing programming languages such as Python, Fortran, and C++ and integrate them using Web 2.0 technologies such as jQuery, Django, and JavaScript. Implementing cloud-based databases that serve data to ecological exposure and effects models using MySQL and/or PostgreSQL. Modifying existing deterministic and stochastic ecological exposure models to link with other models and to incorporate spatially and temporally distributed processes as appropriate. Developing new modules that describe and estimate exposure processes not currently addressed by EPA models. Assessing the performance of existing models with field-collected or literature-derived data on chemical exposures and effects at the individual and/or population level. Implementing scientific approaches and guidance for addressing model uncertainty and model selection in the linkage of environmental process models. The participant will be a part of a multi-disciplinary research team and will be mentored by Dr. Tom Purucker, research ecologist. Participants will have latitude in exercising independent initiative and judgment in the research commensurate with the level of training. EPA will review completed papers for adherence to NERL principles and policies, quality, and soundness of scientific conclusions. *Qualifications:* Applicants must have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental science or computer science, or a related physical sciences field (e.g. biology, ecology, engineering, geosciences, or physical geography) within five years of the desired starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting date. Knowledge of ecological processes and food chain modeling and computer programming is desired. The program is open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, or status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran. U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status is preferred (but can also hold an appropriate visa status, however, an H1B visa is not appropriate). The appointment is full-time for one year and may be renewed for up to three additional years upon recommendation of EPA and subject to availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend ranging from $4,000 up to $5,000 depending on level of education. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee. Funding may be made available to reimburse a 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 interviews, relocation costs, costs of tuition/school fees, or a participant's health insurance. *How to Apply:* The Research Participation Program for EPA is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Please reference Project # EPA-ORD/NERL-ERD-2012-01 when calling or writing for information. Applications are accepted and processed on a continuing basis until the selection is made. For additional information and application materials contact: Research Participation Program/EPA-ORD, Attn: Betty Bowling, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, P.O. Box 117, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-0117, Phone: (865) 576-8503 FAX: (865) 241-5219 e-mail: betty.bowl...@orau.org.
