Laboratory Research Support
The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for a full-time Laboratory Research Support position with the EPA facility in Duluth, MN.
What the EPA project is about
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 Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED) of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development is responsible for research on the broad area of aquatic toxicology, which is specifically relevant to this student contract. Specifically relevant to this position is the division’s role in developing methods and toxicity data for assessing the bioaccumulation of methodologically challenging chemicals (MCCs) in aquatic organisms.
What you will be doing
As a team member, you will assist in all aspects of laboratory bioassays, toxicity testing, and chemical analyses in support of this effort. Activities performed in the laboratory include,, cleaning of laboratory glassware, preparation of common reagents, preparation for and execution of bioassays, chemical and physical analysis of water, sediment, and tissue samples, and conducting chemical analyses using a variety of analytical and microscopy instrumentation. .
In addition, as a team member, you will be involved in development of techniques, writing operating procedures (OPs), developing new SOPs and performing experiments with established chemists.
You may be required to attend conferences and present papers.
Required skills
- Substantive chemistry coursework from an accredited college/university;
- Three or more courses at the undergraduate level in biology from an accredited college/university;
- Three or more courses at the undergraduate level in chemistry/biochemistry from an accredited college/university;
- Demonstrated experience using chemical instrumentation;
- Demonstrated experience preparing samples for analysis;
- A working knowledge of sediment testing with benthic invertebrates; and
- Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills.
How you will apply your skills
- Following standard operating procedures (SOP) provided by Mentor;
- Developing techniques, writing operating procedures (Ops);
- Developing new SOPs;
- Preforming experiments with established chemist;
- Maintaining careful and accurate records in a laboratory notebook; and
- Following the quality assurance guidelines for data entry in laboratory notebooks or electronic data management systems and calculations.
Location: This job will be located EPA’s Research Triangle facility in Duluth, MN
Salary: Selected applicants will become temporary employees of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $20.95 for hours worked.
Hours: Full time
Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.
Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin October 2019. The initial project is through May 14, 2020, with potential optional periods.
Working conditions: You will be supervised by a mentor who will provide day-to-day direction, as well as coach, advise, counsel and review your work. The position will involve work in an administrative setting and is not expected to involve exposure to hazardous elements
Qualifications
Be at least 18 years of age and
- Have at least a Bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, chemistry, toxicology, biology, or a related field of study from an accredited university or college 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.