EPA PFAS Assessment and Analysis 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 Environmental Measurement & Modeling (CEMM), Ecosystems Processes Division (EPD) located in Athens, Georgia.

Research Project: This research opportunity is focused on the assessment of environmental media from Utqiagvik, Alaska for the presence and/or concentrations of per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS). With guidance from the mentor and research-team members, the research participant may be involved in some or all of the following training activities:

Learning Objectives: Through regular interactions with the research team, the research participant will gain insight into laboratory processes entailed in generating high-quality chemical data to characterize environmental samples. The research participant will have opportunities to collaborate and interact with EPA staff. The research participant will have an opportunity to communicate their finding through publication of manuscripts. The research participant is encouraged to collaborate on writing of manuscripts for publication as time allows.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is John Washington (Washington.john@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Winter 2021. 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 three months 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-CEMM-EPD-2020-05).