EPA Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals & Brain Development Research Internship
*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline. Click here for information about the selection process.
EPA Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), Public Health and Integrated Toxicology Division (PHITD), Neurological and Endocrine Toxicology Branch (NETB) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. This was formerly National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL), Toxicology Assessment Division (TAD).
Research Project: The goal of this project is to understand chemical interference with brain development and function. Rats will be used to examine how various pollutants may induce developmental neurotoxicity by interference with thyroid hormones, or by disruption of the blood-brain barrier.
With guidance from the mentor, the research participant may be involved in the following training activities:
- Handling and treating small laboratory animals (rats), which includes in vivo dosing via oral, ip, sc routes
- Necropsy and preparation of tissues for further experiments like hormone quantification
- Histology, tissue sectioning
- Immunohistochemistry and light/fluorescent microscopy
- Potential to learn mass-spectrometry
- Animal study organization
- Record keeping, data processing and statistical analyses
Learning Objectives: Through this opportunity, the research participant will learn about problem solving and how to answer scientific research questions. The research participant will gain experience in various experimental approaches and techniques in neurotoxicology research. The research participant will be mentored by several experienced EPA investigators, and will have some latitude in exercising independent initiative and judgment, commensurate with the level of experience and competence after training. The research participant may also have opportunities to attend seminars and lectures held at local sites.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Mary Gilbert (gilbert.mary@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Summer 2020. All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors. Click here for detailed information about start dates.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year and may be renewed up to three additional years upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding.
Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Click here for detailed information about full-time stipends.
EPA Security Clearance: Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA.
ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.
Questions: Please see the FAQ section of our website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email EPArpp@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity (EPA-ORD-NHEERL-TAD-2020-04).