• An application
• Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendations. Click here for detailed information about recommendations.

*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline. Click here for information about the selection process.

EPA Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), Climate Change Division (CCD) located in Washington, DC.

CCD’s mission is to assess and address global climate change and the associated risks to human health and the environment. The research opportunity is sponsored by CCD’s Climate Science and Impacts Branch (CSIB). CSIB is responsible for:

• developing and leveraging climate change-impacts analyses (www.epa.gov/cira).
• highlighting climate change impacts and risks through the development of communication tools, such as climate change indicators (www.epa.gov/climate-indicators) and coordinating climate-science and impacts communications (www.epa.gov/climate-change).
• collaborating with the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and its federal members on assessment reports, expert workgroups, and associated products.   
• coordinating and partnering with other EPA offices, government agencies, external stakeholders, and the public on climate change issues.

Research Project: The selected participant will have the opportunity to learn about the latest climate change science and participate in a variety of challenging and rewarding projects and tasks with a collegial team of skilled professionals. The selected participant will learn about and support the interpretation and communication of climate change science and related programmatic activity at EPA. Under the guidance of a mentor, potential research activities include, but are not limited to:

• opportunities to make complex science accessible to the public by integrating evolving science into a portfolio of science-communication products
• use of the latest science-communication techniques and technologies (e.g., data-visualization tools, Web-based  applications) to improve public understanding of climate science, impacts, health effects, adaptation, and mitigation efforts
• identification and development of relationships with a range of science stakeholders at federal agencies who also conduct science

Learning Objectives:

• Developing understanding of climate change science and impacts to society including confidence and uncertainties.
• Gaining applicable climate science-based research experience.
• Researching alongside a team that develops a range of scientific and communications products.
• Deploying practical approaches and techniques used in communicating information about the latest science to improve public understanding of climate change and its impacts, including on the health of vulnerable populations and environmental-justice communities.
• Learning about the latest generation of Web and other communication tools, e.g., visualizations, multimedia, social media, Web platforms.
• Learning about and collaborating with EPA research and data partners, e.g., U.S. Global Change Research Program, NOAA, NASA.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Kevin Rosseel (rosseel.kevin@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Fall 2021.  All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors. Click here for detailed information about start dates.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year and may be renewed up to three or four additional years upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. At this time, Bachelor's degrees ~$49,000/year and Master's degrees ~$60,000/year. Click here for detailed information about full-time stipends.

EPA Security Clearance: Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

ORISE offers all ORISE EPA graduate students and Postdocs a free 5 year membership to the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA).

Questions: Please see the FAQ section of our website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email ORISE.EPA.REG@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should have received a bachelor's or master's degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.

• Relevant coursework, experience, and a strong interest in climate-science research and the effective communication of scientific information
• Superior writing skills
• Experience with communications tools including Web-based multimedia applications and social media 
• Enjoys operating in a team environment

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (46 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (10 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (1 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).