Aquatic Toxicology Research Support

The EPA Environmental Research and Business Support Program has an immediate opening for a full-time Aquatic Toxicology Research Support position with the EPA facility in Duluth, MN.

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) is one of four ecology divisions of the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL). The Mid-Continent Ecology Division is located in Duluth, MN. The MED is the focal point ORD research related to freshwater ecotoxicology and freshwater ecology. A primary objective of the ecotoxicological research at MED is to provide the scientific basis and technological means to enable the prediction of whether an environmental agent will produce adverse effects in aquatic organisms and to minimize the uncertainty of such predictions.

As a team member, you will assist in one of several aquatic toxicology projects evaluating aspects of chemical toxicity in aquatic organisms. The principal focus of these studies is the need to assess the effect of chemicals on thyroid hormone disruption in aquatic organisms as predicted by in vitro chemical screening results. You will assist in laboratory activities which may include one or more of the following: analysis of test chemical concentrations in water, chemical analysis of hormones in blood and tissue of exposed amphibians, and in vitro chemical activity screening assays. In addition, you may be involved in development of new techniques/procedures, writing operating procedures, and performing experiments with established scientists.

As a team member, you will be part of a research team and will be trained to perform specific laboratory tasks needed to support the work.

Location: This job will be located EPA’s Research Triangle facility in Duluth, MN.

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $20.95 for hours worked.

Hours: Full time. Most of the work will be performed Monday through Friday during regular business hours; however, monitoring, maintaining or completing experiments may require work on some weekends or after hours with approval from the mentor.

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