In Vitro Evaluation and Modeling of Known and Unknown Environmental Chemical Mixtures
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 research opportunity is available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), Toxicology Assessment Division (TAD) in Durham, North Carolina.
The National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL) is tasked to provide support to the Safe and Sustainable Waters Research (SSWR) program by implementing in vitro tools for chemical toxicity and screening purposes. These methods utilize molecular initiating events (MIEs) that have been shown to activate adverse outcome pathways and related physiological/population-level adverse outcomes. Therefore, these efforts secondarily support the Chemical Safety for Sustainability (CSS) program.
Research opportunities will include collaboration with an EPA team of investigators involved in toxicology research to understand the impacts of environmentally relevant individual compounds and mixtures on endocrine signaling pathways (e.g. estrogen, ER; androgen, AR; glucocorticoid, GR; and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor PPAR signaling pathways). The research participant will have the opportunity to contribute to and collaborate on projects assessing and modeling in vitro and in vivo responses of individual compounds, defined chemical mixtures, and also environmental samples containing unknown chemical mixtures. Through this research project, the research participant will have the opportunity to be involved with hypothesis formulation, experimental design and results interpretation in research. The research participant will also gain technical experience in various experimental approaches and toxicological techniques and may also have opportunities to attend relevant on-site seminars and workshops.
The research participant may be involved in the following training activities:
- Contributing to research as a team member of the lab
- Participate in a range of scientific efforts including: cell culture techniques, in vitro chemical and mixture exposures and in vitro/vitro assessments, data analysis, data processing, statistical analysis, and graphical presentation
- Evaluating scientific literature and toxicological databases
- Maintaining accurate digital and/or hard copy records and laboratory notebook
- Providing progress updates through regular oral and/or written reports
- Developing organizational and record keeping skills to ensure all generated data are scientifically sound and acceptable quality for their intended uses
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Spring/Summer 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 Durham, North Carolina, 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 have received a bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by the end of May 2020. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
ORISE GO
The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!
