EPA Fellowship in Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Foam
*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) located in Cincinnati, Ohio. 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: Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are enriched in foam due to their surfactant properties. Removal of PFAS from water is a priority under the EPA's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) PFAS drinking water treatment research and technical support effort. More research is needed on the partitioning behavior of PFAS in foam, sampling and analytical methods, and applications to treatment processes.
Under the guidance of the mentor, research activities may include:
- Analytical method development for complex environmental media.
- Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS and LC-HRMS).
- Sampling at partner sites.
- Bench-scale and pilot-scale experiments.
Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of the mentor, learning objectives include:
- Study design for researching the fate and transport of emerging contaminants.
- Analytical challenges associated with PFAS and/or complex media.
- Communications and presentations to partners.
The research participant will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of scientists to obtain a more holistic understanding of the underlying challenges and solutions to complex environmental problems. Under the guidance of a mentor, the research participant will have also freedom to pursue additional research objectives within the study areas as their own interests direct.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Jean Van Buren (vanburen.jean@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 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 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. 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 be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.
Preferred Skills:
Ability to conduct research as a part of a team and independently.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience with environmental analytical chemistry using LC/GC/MS techniques for complex environmental media.
Experience measuring environmental contaminants in foams or surface microlayers.
Experience with surfactant chemistry, fate, and transport.
Point of Contact
Eligibility Requirements
- Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.