Economic Analysis of Remediation/Restoration Outcomes at Great Lakes AOCs & Superfund Sites
A complete application consists of:
- 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
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.
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A postdoctoral research opportunity is currently available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling (CEMM), Watershed & Ecosystem Characterization Division (WECD), Watershed Management Branch (WMB), in Cincinnati, Ohio. EPA ORD recently reorganized and these are the newly named Centers/Divisions/Branches. This was formerly in ORD’s National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL), within the Immediate Office (IO).
This research project is to apply a variety of economic approaches to quantify the benefits and costs of remediation and restoration projects in Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs) and Superfund sites.
The participant may collaborate with a multi-disciplinary group of individuals including but not limited to water quality modelers, engineers, economists, ecologists and social scientists evaluating remediation, restoration and revitalization (3Rs) outcomes that are central to attaining healthy and resilient communities. The 3Rs framework was developed by the ORD & GLNPO to help fulfill Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement commitments “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Waters of the Great Lakes.”
Potential endpoints of analysis could include improved water quality, restored designated uses, and/or ecosystem services. The research participant may collaborate with other scientists to help translate changes from remediation and restoration into ecosystem services using the soon to be released National Ecosystem Services Classification System (NESCS Plus).
This training opportunity may provide exposure to regulatory relevant research, collaborative inter agency efforts, and 3Rs evaluation methods and sampling. It will also advance the participant’s knowledge in project management and scientific communication (e.g., project-related manuscripts, presentations at scientific conferences).
- Assessing existing AOC & Superfund remediation and restoration projects that have been completed and met their targets for cleanup and/or restoration.
- Developing measures to assess the economic values that result from the improvements in beneficial and designated uses, ARARs, and ecosystem services both from an aquatic life and human health benefit.
- Applying EPA’s newly revised National Ecosystem Services Classification System (NESCS Plus) for a systems approach.
- Estimating the economic value of improved uses and services in several case study AOC and Superfund sites.
- Comparing the economic value of those improvements over a 10 to 20 year period post remedy or restoration to those costs for the remediation and/or restoration.
- Collaborating on reports and/or publications.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 16, 2020
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. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at EPA in the Cincinnati, Ohio, area. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA. OPM can complete a background investigation only for individuals, including non-US citizens, who have resided in the US for the past three years.
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
Preferred skills:
- Experience using nonmarket valuation--especially with revealed preference approaches (e.g., recreational demand model, hedonic pricing approaches, etc.)
- Understanding of economic impact analysis and benefit transfer
- Some knowledge of environmental issues
- Strong communication and writing skills
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
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Discipline(s):
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 )
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