Funding is available for 2 post-docs via the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). Details on how to apply are here: http://orise.orau.gov/epa/description.aspx?JobId=2346 and and the application form is here: http://www.orau.gov/partform/EPA/EPA_Application.pdf
Research Participation Program Office of Research and Development National Exposure Research Laboratory U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Athens, GA EPA-ORD/NERL-ERD-2011-05 Project Description: Postdoctoral research training opportunities in ecological modeling for chemical exposures are currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Environmental Exposure Laboratory in Athens, Georgia. This project involves the integration and application of existing ecological exposure models to assess pesticide risks to threatened and endangered species. Research under this project directly supports the EPA's Endangered Species Protection Program (ESPP) to help promote the recovery of listed species. Our objective is to integrate, improve, and further develop available EPA models for estimating chemical exposures in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems while incorporating important fate and transport processes. This training program will provide selected individuals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to link physical fate/transport processes to individual/population chemical exposures on a variety of aquatic and terrestrial landscapes for a wide range of listed species. This research is closely aligned with the ongoing application of ecological models in response to EPA regulatory needs under the Endangered Species Act and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act. An important part of this training will involve the interaction with other researchers at the Ecosystems Research Division (ERD) in Athens and other offices within the EPA to identify and help articulate important exposure processes that warrant improvement in exposure models and to develop algorithms for incorporation of these processes at various scales. As a member of a team of scientists at ERD that quantitatively articulates physical fate and transport processes and links them to ecological exposure model algorithms, the participant could be involved in the following activities: -- Link existing EPA models into a robust decision-making framework that allows scientists to assess the impacts of regulated chemicals on listed species impacts, as well as account for localized use modifications for specific areas -- Modify existing deterministic and stochastic ecological exposure models to link with other models and to incorporate spatially and temporally distributed processes as appropriate, -- Develop new modules that describe and estimate exposure processes not currently addressed by Agency models, -- Assess the performance of existing models with field-collected or literature-derived data on chemical exposures and effects at the individual and/or population level, and -- Implement scientific approaches and guidance for addressing model uncertainty and model selection in the linkage of environmental process models. The participant will be a part of a multi-disciplinary research team and will be directly mentored by Dr. Tom Purucker, research ecologist. The participant will have latitude in exercising independent initiative and judgment in the research commensurate with the level of training. EPA will review completed papers for adherence to NERL principles and policies, quality, and soundness of scientific conclusions. Qualifications: Applicants must have received a doctoral degree in a related field within five years of the desired starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting date. Appropriate academic backgrounds may include biology, computer science, ecology, engineering, environmental science, geosciences, and physical geography. Knowledge of ecological processes and food chain modeling is desired. 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 show proof of health and medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee. The appointment is full-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 participant will receive a monthly stipend ranging from $5,000 up to $6,000. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for interviews, relocation costs, costs of tuition/school fees, or a participant's health insurance.
