EPA Postdoctoral Fellowship in Demonstrating Reliable, Cost-Effective Technologies to Identify Lead Service Lines

*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 at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER), Water Infrastructure Division (WID) located in Edison, New Jersey.  If selected for the opportunity, the participant will need to relocate to the appropriate EPA facility.  The relocation costs are not reimbursable.  The opportunity is not 100% remote, but limited remote participation may be considered at the mentor’s discretion.

Research Project: Lead Service Lines (LSLs) can be the primary source of lead exposure to individuals.  Millions of LSLs remain in place across the United States, posing a health risk to those who drink water that is distributed from municipal water systems through LSLs and into homes. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides funding to help communities remove LSLs and reduce their residents' exposure to lead.  

WID is conducting applied research to evaluate technologies that help communities affordably and reliably identify and locate LSLs. Data is being collected to determine the cost-effectiveness, accuracy, and ease of use of alternate techniques.  Information about this research will be provided to states, communities, and tribal nations to help them rapidly identify and remove LSLs.  The research is particularly focused on providing the data and information that small, disadvantaged, or undeserved communities may need to remove these sources of lead.

This ORISE opportunity is intended for the participant to learn about and develop new skills related to collecting and analyzing data, tools, communication, outreach, and informational resources related to the applied research program described above within a defined quality assurance plan under the guidance of a mentor. The research participant will obtain knowledge and experience planning research, collecting and analyzing data, and communicating the results to the technical community and the public by preparing manuscripts for journals, presentations, fact sheets, websites, and other materials. 

Under the guidance of the mentor, research activities may include:

• Database and spreadsheet design.
• Implementation, maintenance (including data entry and periodic improvements), analysis (including verifying accuracy of data, tables, figures, mathematical expressions, etc.) and presentation of data within database.
• Develop and format reports, peer-reviewed journal articles, and presentations, independently locating, organizing and analyzing material in a logical and effective sequence to facilitate decision making.
• Review and edit reports and presentations to ensure that final reports reflect clear, concise information that is accurate, consistent and suitable for the intended audience.
• Contribute to developing presentations and technical manuscripts.

Learning Objectives: The research participant learning objectives will cover a wide range of activities that connect science and society. Common goals of science communication include informing non-experts about scientific findings, raising the public awareness of and interest in science, influencing people's attitudes and behaviors, informing public policy, and engaging with diverse communities to address societal problems. The research participant will present research results to various audiences at conferences and workshops and communication as related to public health and drinking water quality. 

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Michael Borst (borst.mike@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 30, 2024.  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 three years and may be renewed three to 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. The current stipend range for this opportunity is $75,578 - $102,163 per year plus a travel/training allowance. 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).

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

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

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within three years of the appointment start date.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong record keeping skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work with minimal direct guidance, work independently, and collaborate both as a part of a team.
• Experience with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Experience with data statistical analysis
• Knowledge of Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Teams, Planner, Forms, Project, or similar applications.

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 36 month(s).