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For more information, contact EPAjobs@orau.org. Do not contact EPA directly.

The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for an Aquatic Laboratory Assistant with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA’s facility in Duluth, Minnesota.

The Office of Research and Development at the EPA supports high-quality research to improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues and help EPA achieve its environmental goals. Research is conducted in a broad range of environmental areas by scientists in EPA laboratories and at universities across the country.

The Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED) of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development is responsible for research on the broad area of aquatic toxicology, which is specifically relevant to this project.  Specifically relevant to this position is the division’s role in developing methods and toxicity data for assessing the bioaccumulation of methodologically challenging chemicals (MCCs) in aquatic organisms.  The applicant will assist in all aspects of laboratory bioassays, toxicity testing, and chemical analyses in support of this effort.

The selected candidate shall be expected to perform laboratory activities such as, cleaning of laboratory glassware, preparation of common reagents, preparation for and execution of bioassays, chemical and physical analysis of water, sediment, and tissue samples, and conducting chemical analyses using a variety of analytical and microscopy instrumentation.  He/she shall also develop new methods and approaches for characterizing hydrophobic chemicals in water, sediment and tissue samples. The selected candidate may be required to attend conferences and present papers. All necessary training and oversight shall be provided by EPA scientists serving as mentors.

The selected candidate shall follow standard operating procedures (SOP) provided by the Mentor.  In addition, he/she shall be involved in development of techniques, writing operating procedures (OPs), developing new SOPs and performing experiments with established chemists. The selected candidate shall maintain careful and accurate records in a laboratory notebook and follow the quality assurance guidelines for data entry in laboratory notebooks or electronic data management systems and calculations.  This notebook, and all other data produced in performance of this work, shall be the property of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Location: This job will be located at EPA’s facility in Duluth, Minnesota.

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $20.65 for hours worked.

Hours: Full-Time.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Expected Start Date: The position is full time and expected to begin around January 2019.  The selected applicant will be a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The initial project is through May 14, 2019, followed by one (1) 12-month optional period.

Working Conditions: This position will be in a laboratory setting

For more information, contact EPAjobs@orau.org. Do not contact EPA directly.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and
• Have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, chemistry, toxicology, or a related field with substantive chemistry coursework within the last 24 months and
• Be a citizen of the United States of America or a Legal Permanent Resident.

EPA ORD employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

The applicant shall have:

• Two or more courses at the undergraduate level in biology from an accredited college/university,
• Demonstrated experience using GC/MS instrumentation,
• Demonstrated experience preparing samples for GC/MS analysis,
• A working knowledge of sediment testing with benthic invertebrates,
• Basic skills in Microsoft Office application of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and
• Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (13 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with at least a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, chemistry, toxicology, or a related field with substantive chemistry coursework an accredited university or college within the last 24 months; a citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States of America; and not a current employee of EPA ORD or the spouse or child of an EPA ORD employee.