EPA Groundwater Nanomaterial Fellowship
*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 currently available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER), Groundwater Characterization and Remediation Division (GCRD) located in Ada, Oklahoma.
Research Project: The research participant will have the opportunity to learn about EPA research on the fate, transport, transformation of nano-pesticides, multi-component nanomaterials (carbon nanotube-, graphitic carbon nitride-, graphene-, and polymer-metal/metal oxide nanohybrids), and remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) using biochar and novel nanomaterials. The research participant will collaborate with the Groundwater Characterization and Remediation Division (GCRD) research team. Research learning activities may include:
- Reviewing literature related to the fate, transport, and transformation of nano-pesticides and nano-enabled consumer products in the environment, evaluating existing models and protocols for their application, and identifications of specific properties of these nanomaterials that would require additional considerations for the risk assessment process; as well as developing exposure and environmental risk assessment models for future application and management.
- Investigating mechanisms controlling the weathering (e.g., physical sawing, drilling, solar irradiation, and rainfall), release, transformation (e.g., chemical transformation), and degradation of multi-component nanomaterials (mainly including carbon nanotube-, graphitic carbon nitride-, graphene-, and polymer-metal/metal oxide nanohybrids) in the environment.
- Developing mathematical models to simulate and predict possible weathering, release, transformation, and degradation scenarios of these nanomaterials in the environment.
- Investigating the transport and retention of representative PFAS in saturated and unsaturated porous media through laboratory-based packed-column experiments and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation experiments.
- Simulating laboratory-generated transport data of PFAS using numerical models, and based on the model-generated parameters, predict the environmental fate and transport of PFAS in real environment using upscaling modeling.
- Developing and applying highly-efficient and cost-effective materials (e.g., biochar-based nanohybrids) for the remediation of PFAS from aquatic environment.
- Writing, reviewing, and presenting data at regional, national, and international conferences.
- Communicating findings to the public.
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding how environmental variables (pH, ionic strength, presence of natural organic matter, etc.) affect fate and transport of nano-pesticides and nanohybrids in porous media.
- Understanding the conditions that promote and retard transport of PFAS in saturated and unsaturated porous media.
- Understanding the capacity and kinetics of PFAS removal using cost-effective materials such as biochar and functionalized biochar.
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Chunming Su (su.chunming@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: ~February/March 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 one year and may be renewed four 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-CESER-GCRD-2020-02).