EPA Fellowship in the Monitoring Fate and Transport of Tire-Derived Pollutants in Urban Streams

*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 training opportunity is available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), Pacific Ecological Systems Division (PESD) in Annapolis, MD, College Park, MD, Philadelphia, PA, or New York City, NY.

Research Project: Tires are a complex pollutant with multiple phases, each with associated health and environmental risks. Stormwater is a major source of tire particles and associated pollutants including heavy metals and PAHs. 6PPD, a common tire additive, is an emerging pollutant highly toxic to salmon and other aquatic biota and may have human health risks. It is currently unknown whether stormwater management features can be used as effective management mechanisms to attenuate risks of tire-related pollutants. 

The goal of this research project is to monitor fate and transport of tire-derived pollutants in urban waterways and identify approaches for attenuation through stormwater management. The proposed research will inform watershed managers on the risks associated with tire-derived pollutants and suggest how to construct and retrofit stormwater management features to reduce pollutant loads from tires, including 6PPD.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, research activities may include:

• Combination of lab and field activities to monitor and assess the fate and transport of tire-derived pollutants collected in urban streams and rivers using high resolution spatial and temporal sampling.
• Monitoring multiple urban streams to measure and quantify tire-derived pollutants and ancillary parameters (pH, conductivity, temperature, ions, etc) along urban stream flowpaths in relation to road density, impervious surface, and proximity to low-income neighborhoods.
• Estimating pollutant loading from road surfaces, stormwater drains, and outfalls as well as sample several different stormwater management features on-site to assess their abilities to capture pollutants.
• Testing different approaches, using soil mesocosms, to optimize the ability of stormwater best management practices to attenuate 6PPD.
• Operating lab and field instruments and learning and understanding proper quality assurance protocol and maintenance of data integrity.
• Meeting and collaborating on related research activities with a team of EPA scientists.
• Water and sediment sample collection, data management and analysis, manuscript preparation, literature searches, and written and oral presentation of results to technical and non-technical audiences.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this project is Paul Mayer (mayer.paul@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Fall 2024/Winter 2025.  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 one year and may be renewed upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding.

Level of Participation: This appointment is full-time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. 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 bachelor's degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.  

Preferred skills and/or experience:

Experience with general lab procedures in chemistry and geology.

Experience with field sampling for water and water chemistry in rivers, streams, and lakes.

Ability to manage and analyze data.  

Ability to summarize, synthesize, and report on research results would enhance the research experience. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 60 month(s).