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The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for a Wet Lab Support position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

The National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL) is the Agency’s focal point for scientific research on the effects of contaminants and environmental stressors on human health and ecosystem integrity. Its research mission and goals help the Agency to identify and understand the processes that affect our health and environment, and helps the Agency to evaluate the risks that pollution poses to human and ecosystems.

The Gulf Ecology Division (GED) is one of four ecology divisions supporting the strategic research mission of NHEERL. GED engages in research to develop innovative solutions for complex challenges to address EPA’s most pressing needs in protecting human health and environment. GED conducts systems-based, effects research to advance the science toward achieving sustainable communities, health and well-being.

The selected candidate shall work with EPA scientists working under the Chemical Safety for Sustainability (CSS) and Safe and Sustainable Water Resource (SSWR) teams. As a member of the CSS team that determines molecular and population level effects of chemical stressors on aquatic organisms, the selected candidate shall culture and test aquatic and terrestrial organisms (e.g., fathead minnow, sheepshead minnows, frogs and toads) and develop and maintain toxicity databases. As a member of the SSWR team that determines the effects of land-based stressors on coral reef ecosystems, the selected candidate will assist with culturing corals in the laboratory. The selected candidate will gain hands-on experience in the use and care of live animals in a laboratory setting; sample preparation methods for chemical analyses; data management and analysis; laboratory and field sampling protocols; outreach and education; and scientific writing.

Responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to:

• Data entry, documentation, and analysis.

• Constructing, cleaning, monitoring, and maintaining laboratory culture and testing systems and organisms.

• Measuring, maintaining, documenting, and quality assurance of laboratory test conditions and parameters.

• Obtaining, preparing, organizing, and/or maintaining research supplies, materials, and/or solutions.

• Preparing biological and environmental samples for chemical analyses.

• Compiling data and literature references into organized computer files.

• Literature and web searches on chemical properties and mechanisms of action.

• Maintaining laboratory notebooks as instructed by mentors.

• Quality assurance and database management of toxicity databases.

• Field collection of specimens and water samples and routine field parameters.

• Other assistance as needed in support of division research.

• Conforming to all health and safety, environmental compliance, and research protocols.

Communications-related responsibilities will include:

• Participating as a member of a multi-disciplinary research team.

• Interacting with EPA scientists.

• Reporting regularly via email to inform team members of progress.

• Participate in conferences and seminars, as requested.

Working Conditions: The selected candidate shall be supervised by a mentor who will provide day-to-day direction, as well as coach, advise and counsel the candidate, and review his/her work.  The mentor for this position will be a federal EPA employee. 

The selected candidate will be required to wear appropriate safety apparel and to closely adhere to laboratory safety requirements. The job will require moderate lifting and the climbing of stairs and ladders. Monitoring and maintaining experiments and organisms will require the selected candidate to work some weekends and government holidays.

Eligible applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and

• Have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, marine biology, zoology, chemistry, environmental science, or a related field of study from an accredited university or college within the last 24 months and

• Be a citizen of the United States of America or a Legal Permanent Resident

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Successful candidate shall have:

• Experience with general database management (e.g. Microsoft Excel).

• Experience with laboratory techniques and environmental studies.

• Experience with marine aquaculture       

• Knowledge of basic laboratory safety requirements Will be given additional safety training at the Gulf Ecology Division.       

• Location: This job will be located at EPA’s facility in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

• Salary: Selected applicants will become temporary employees of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $20.65 for hours worked.

  Hours: Full-time.

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

                                                                                                                                           

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (12 )
  • 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 biology, ecology, marine biology, zoology, chemistry, geography, geospatial sciences, or a related field of study from 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.