Biological Lab Research Support at EPA

How to apply:

Submit application and supporting documents by clicking on Apply Now button.

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

The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for an EPA Biological Lab Research Support position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA’s facility in Duluth, Minnesota.

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.

The National Health Effects and Environmental Research Laboratory (NHEERL) is responsible for scientific research on the effects of contaminants and environmental stressors on human health and ecosystem integrity. The impact of the Laboratory's efforts can be felt far beyond the EPA as our research enables state and local governments to implement effective environmental programs. NHEERL also collaborates with governments and organizations on issues of environmental importance. NHEERL’s Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED) in Duluth MN conducts research through the Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) program to help communities make decisions that lead to a more sustainable society and environment and through the Safe and Sustainable Waters (SSWR) program to provide the science tools to support assessment and protection of the nation’s water bodies.

The selected candidate shall assist with projects aimed at understanding the flows of materials, energy, and contaminants through aquatic food webs in support of biological monitoring and effects characterization. He/she shall work as part of a larger research team, with responsibilities focused on laboratory processing of biological samples but also potentially including assisting with field sampling, electronic data processing, and general research support. He/she can expect to become familiar with environmental issues and research in the Great Lakes area.

Majority of tasks/time include but are not limited to:

• Working in a biological prep laboratory to organize, sort, weigh, dry, and otherwise prepare biological samples for analyses aimed at characterizing biogeochemical tracers (e.g., stable isotopes, lipids and contaminant burdens),
• Assisting with field sampling (largely boat-based) directed at collecting aquatic environmental samples and associated environmental information,
• Conducting basic statistical and geospatial analysis of this data in support of scientific presentations and publications,
• Working at computers to conduct data entry and quality assurance, and manage data files arising from this laboratory work, and
• Coordinating research activities among various federal, tribal, state, and academic research partners.

Location: This job will be located at EPA’s facility in Duluth, Minnesota.

Salary: Selected applicants will become temporary employees of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $20.04 for hours worked.

Hours: Full Time

Travel: Occasional travel for purposes of conducting field work may be part of this position – this would be primarily day trips within a few hours of the city of Duluth, MN (travel by government owned vehicle or small boats), however multi-day sampling trips aboard a large research vessel are also possible. Travel is also possible for the purposes of meetings with collaborators or attending scientific conferences, although the extent of such travel is not yet known.  Meetings with collaborators and attendance at conferences could involve multi-day trips, with hotel accommodation and travel by air or other commercial means.

Use of government vehicles by the candidate is anticipated.

Expected Start Date: The position is full time and expected to begin in March 2017.  The selected applicant will be a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA. The initial contract period is through May 14, 2017. EPA may elect to renew the contract for an additional three 12-month optional periods.

Working Conditions: This position will involve work in laboratory and administrative settings, and also in the field.  Field work takes places primarily in late spring, summer, and early fall, whereas laboratory and desk work fills the rest of the year. While most of the field work will be day trips, some work is anticipated to fall outside ordinary business hours (e.g., evenings or weekends), and multi-day trips (with berthing on a research vessel) are possible.  Field work typically involves physical exertion and travel in boats and motor vehicles, and can include exposure to water, heat, cold, and inclement weather. Laboratory work will include use of dissecting microscope, and handling of samples preserved in formalin or ethanol. The student will be provided with desk space and a computer, with training in various aspects of their job, and with appropriate safety equipment (life vests, waders, foul-weather gear, safety glasses, lab coat, etc.).

The candidate will be supervised by a mentor who will provide day-to-day direction, as well as coach, advise, counsel, and review his/her work.

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

Eligible applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and
• Have earned a Bachelor of Science degree, in biology, ecology, chemistry, environmental sciences, limnology, marine sciences, or a related field 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.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

The applicant shall have:

• Education and/or experience in laboratory analysis of aquatic environmental samples, including drying and weighing biological material such as aquatic sediment, algae or organism tissue samples.
• Education and/or experience in laboratory analysis of aquatic organisms, including aquatic organism preservation, dissection, tissue sampling, and sample archiving.
• Working knowledge of laboratory taxonomic identification of aquatic plants, aquatic invertebrates, and fish is preferred but not mandatory.
• Working knowledge of preparation and aging of fish hard parts such as spines or otoliths is preferred but not mandatory.
• Experience compiling and managing scientific data via spreadsheet or database software.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to work independently as well as in teams.
• Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

It is desirable for the candidate to have:

• Experience with both MS Excel and MS Access.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 24 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )

I certify that I am at least 18 years of age; a recent graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree, in biology, ecology, chemistry, environmental sciences, limnology, marine sciences, or a related field from an accredited university or college within the last 24 months; a citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States of America; and not a current employee of EPA ORD or the spouse or child of an EPA ORD employee.