Research Project Description

Research Participation Program
Office of Research and Development
National Center for Environmental Assessment
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Research Triangle Park, NC

EPA-ORD/NCEA-RTP-2011-04

Project Description:

A faculty research project training opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Center for Environmental Assessment in Research Triangle Park (RTP), North Carolina. NCEA in EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) is responsible for scientific assessment activities related to the effects of the criteria air pollutants (particulate matter, ozone, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and lead). Such assessment activities are very broad and typically have significant implications for national and international environmental policy development and implementation.

This is an interdisciplinary project that will entail the participation of senior-level scientists with expertise in a range of scientific disciplines, as outlined below, to collaborate with NCEA-RTP in the assessment of scientific information. The research participant will be mentored by NCEA scientific staff at NCEA-RTP on projects related to the evaluation of evidence on the health and environmental effects of criteria air pollutants. The participant could be involved in one or more of the following activities:

• evaluating formal interpretation methods for highly heterogeneous scientific information, as part of a multidisciplinary team of NCEA scientists
• conducting new analyses of scientific data to support the development of single- or multipollutant science assessments
• developing, characterizing, and/or evaluating techniques for conducting multipollutant research, or single-pollutant research in a multipollutant context
• writing sections of single- or multipollutant science assessment documents criteria air pollutants or chemicals pollutants.

Participants will have the opportunity to interact with EPA staff with extensive knowledge of air pollution science and literature, particularly for criteria air pollutants. NCEA-RTP staff is comprised of a multidisciplinary team of experts in the areas of atmospheric sciences, exposure assessment, epidemiology, toxicology, and ecology and are arguably some of the most informed individuals in the air pollution field. Through interactions with these experts, there will be unique opportunity for innovation in the area multipollutant research and single-pollutant research in a multipollutant context. Participants will also learn how science is used in environmental decision-making.

Qualifications:

Applicants must be a full-time faculty member at an accredited U.S. college or university and hold a doctoral degree in one of the following areas: epidemiology; toxicology; human exposure assessment; biostatistics; computer science; ecology; environmental chemistry or physics; or biology (including physiology, biochemistry, etc.). 

The program is open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, or status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran. U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status is preferred (but can also hold an appropriate visa status, however, an H1B visa is not appropriate). The participant must provide proof of medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee.  

The appointment will be part-time for one year and may be renewed for up to two additional years upon recommendation of EPA and subject to availability of funds. The appointment will largely be served at the faculty’s home institution. The participant will receive a monthly stipend.

How to Apply:

The Research Participation Program for EPA is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Please reference Project # EPA-ORD/NCEA-RTP-2011-04 when calling or writing for information. For additional information and application materials contact: Research Participation Program/EPA-ORD, Attn: Betty Bowling, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, P.O. Box 117, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-0117, Phone: (865) 576-8503 FAX: (865) 241-5219 e-mail: betty.bowling@orau.org.

 An application can be found at http://www.orau.gov/partform/EPA/EPA_Application.pdf.