EPA Organic Materials in Polymer Consumer Products Fellowship

*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 available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER), Land Remediation and Technology Division (LRTD) located in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Research Project: The research participant will be conducting research experiments, analyzing data, and writing peer-reviewed journal articles. This research project will be to study the transformations of nano- and microplastics, pesticides, and persistent organic pollutants. The primary focus of this research project will be on nano- and microplastic environmental contamination. Secondary focus will be on organic pesticide interactions with nano-fertilizers and nano-pesticides.

Learning Objectives: The research participant will learn how to conduct research on the characterization and quantification of anthropogenic organic materials to understand their chemical behavior, fate, transport, transformation, and adverse effects on environmental and human health. There may be future learning opportunities involving halogenated persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The research participant will have access to a large array of analytical/physical technologies in their research activities, including, but not limited to Gas Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS-MS), Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS-MS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), microwave technology, X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and single particle - Inductively Coupled Plasma with Mass Spectrometry (spICP/MS).

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Souhail Al-Abed (al-abed.souhail@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 2020. 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 up to three 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.

Questions: Please see the FAQ section of our website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email EPArpp@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity (EPA-ORD-CESER-LRTD-2020-03).