The following student research opportunity is open at the US EPA Western Ecology Division laboratory in Newport, Oregon. Please share this announcement with your colleagues, faculty, and students.
Student Contractor Participation in Research on Valuation of Estuarine Ecosystem Services The Western Ecology Division of the US Environmental Protection Agency in Newport, Oregon is seeking a student contractor to assist with a study of the market and non-market values of Pacific Northwest (PNW) estuarine ecosystem services as part of EPAs Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research Program (SHCRP). The study will focus on estimating the marginal values of those ecosystem services; that is, estimating how the value of an ecosystem service changes in relation to incremental changes in the production of the ecosystem service. A secondary goal is to evaluate the transferability of those marginal value estimates among estuaries in the PNW and to other coastal regions of the US. The study will be conducted using existing data and models, and will include several estuarine ecosystem services such as nutrient uptake, carbon sequestration, finfish and shellfish fisheries and wildlife production, and floral and faunal biodiversity. The study will start with a literature review and gap analysis to identify those ecosystem services best suited for developing models of marginal value estimation; subsequent model development will proceed from there. More detailed information and requirements for this solicitation can be found at the following web address: http://www.epa.gov/oamrtpnc/q1300014/index.htm Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. ET, November 7, 2012. See the website above for full details on how to submit a package for this requirement. Proposals must contain all the required information and documentation to be considered. Include reference number RFQ-RT-13-00014 on your submission. Student candidates: Questions regarding this services student contract should be directed to the contract specialist Jacqueline Sayles via email at [email protected] . Questions regarding the technical aspects of the contracted duties and responsibilities should be directed to Dr. Ted DeWitt, the EPA technical mentor for the contracted activities, at [email protected] or 541-867-4029. Be sure to check the solicitation website frequently for amendments.
