Environmental Research Assistant

The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time Environmental Research Assistant position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Ada, OK.

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.

What the EPA project is about

The Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER) plans, coordinates and conducts an applied, customer-driven, national research and development program to improve decision making by EPA, federal, state, tribal and local agencies, when faced with challenging environmental problems in the built environment. Within CESER, the Groundwater Characterization & Remediation Division (GCRD) plans, coordinates, and conducts an applied, national-scale, customer-driven research program to provide data, tools, models, strategies, and technologies to protect and restore groundwater.

To support these activities, GCRD laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation for chemical characterization of ground water and surface water. The analytical function of the Division is critical to supporting the research and technical assistance mission of the laboratory. This project involves bench-top laboratory experiments to support research to protect water resources; review, organization, and analysis of literature data; support for collection of samples from one or more field research sites; and additional project support as needed.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a current research priority due to their widespread distribution in the environment, toxicity, potential for bioaccumulation, and due to the lack of knowledge regarding their properties. Retention mechanisms in the subsurface for PFAS include contaminant partitioning onto the solid porous media and partitioning at fluid-fluid interfaces, such as the air-water interface in the vadose zone. The latter mechanism is unique to contaminants with surfactant properties and may significantly impact transport and fate in partially saturated systems, such as the vadose zone.

The selected candidates time will be split between the laboratory, field, desktop research, and administrative duties. Primary duties will be assisting with laboratory experiments, instrument operation and maintenance, literature surveys, input of data into electronic formats, and any associated administrative duties related to health and safety and quality assurance policies. In addition, the team member will be required to assist with preparation for field trips and may be required to travel to field sites to assist with sample collection. Finally, the team member may be required to assist with report and manuscript preparations.

The team member will maintain careful and accurate records in a laboratory notebook, following the requirements of an approved quality assurance project plan (QAPP), document electronic file contents and locations, and will make entries as necessary into permanent laboratory instrument logbooks. These notebooks and all other data produced under this order will be the property of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The team member will receive training on basic safety requirements at GCRD before he or she begins work in the laboratory.

Depending upon experience, the team member may be trained and expected to pass a proficiency test on analytical equipment, sample preparation, and standard operating procedures for specific equipment. Analytical and research equipment may include, but not limited to, specific conductance and pH meters, permeameter, and optical tensiometer. The team member will be capable of writing and communicating procedures and protocols on lab and field activities.

The team member will receive primarily hands-on laboratory experience, but field research experience may also be obtained. Responsibilities may include, but not be limited to: 1) benchtop lab experimentation to evaluate subsurface PFAS transport; 2) field trip preparation and sample collection coordination; 3) literature review on PFAS interfacial partitioning; 4) developing, managing, and maintaining systems and databases to track lab and field scientific research; 5) developing graphs and presentation materials, prepare spreadsheets, charts, and narrative information, as well as science interpretation. The team member may be expected to participate in meetings or seminars in support of the Statement of Work.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

Experience in keeping and managing laboratory records;
• Undergraduate experience with scientific and laboratory research projects;
• Proficiency in general laboratory procedures and techniques, such as working with balances, pipetting, and use of volumetric flasks;
• Experience in the measurement of surface tension;
• Experience with searching scientific journals and other resources for technical information;
• Experience using Microsoft EXCEL for managing, analyzing, and graphing data;
• Experience with MATLAB, R, or other computer languages;
• Proficiency in oral and written communication in English; and
• Physical ability to lift up to 40 pounds and tolerate hot/cold/wet field conditions during field trips for sample collection.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Experience or education with PFAS.

Location: This job will be located EPA's facility in Ada, OK.

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $23.13 for hours worked.

Hours: Full-time.

Travel: Field travel may be required, including overnight.

Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin August 2024. The selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA.

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

• Be at least 18 years of age and
• Have earned at least Bachelor of Science degree in any scientific discipline 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.

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