What are the responsibilities and job description for the EPA Research Opportunity in Hazardous Waste Analytical Test Methods position at Zintellect?
*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 training opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA), Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) located in Washington, DC. ORCR works to protect human health and the environment by implementing the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976. ORCR's mission is to ensure proper waste management, promote resource conservation, prevent harmful exposures, and oversee land cleanup for productive use. We do this by establishing and implementing regulatory standards and by creating best practices in collaboration with communities, governments, businesses, and other organizations. ORCR implements the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.
Research Project: The SW-846 Compendium [SW-846] is EPA’s official collection of test methods for complying with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations and is published by EPA’s Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR). The goal of this research project is to expand knowledge and methods associated with waste characterization and contaminated site cleanup. Representative measurements are key to making defensible risk management decisions, and reliable sampling and analytical methods are required to identify and quantify chemicals present in wastes and other media to properly manage disposal when hazardous chemicals may be present.
ORCR participates in a diverse range of waste characterization activities that would provide excellent research opportunities for the selected participants interested at the interface of science and environmental policy/regulations including:
- The development and validation of novel analytical methods, including methods to measure per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
- Evaluating aqueous leaching behavior or inorganic and organic chemicals to better model fate and transport in the subsurface environment.
- Responding to technical inquiries on sampling and analysis of emerging contaminants.
- Collaboration with methods team and outreach to other EPA programs, states, other federal agencies, universities, and commercial laboratories on a variety of test method projects.
The participant will have the opportunity to become familiar with ORCR and the RCRA program and will develop a strong technical understanding of RCRA regulations and sampling and analysis methods in support of RCRA programs and policies, and their implementation.
Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the selected participant may:
- Participate in federal work groups dealing with chemical analytical method development and validation, quality assurance, and/or hazardous waste identification and waste characteristics.
- Review environmental analytical methods designed to measure hazardous constituents in waste materials and other contaminated media.
- Evaluate existing test methods against new technologies or technological advancements to ensure they remain valid, current or need revisions.
- Review reports received from waste characterization programs the affected community including state agencies, industry, contractor laboratories, and other EPA regulatory units.
- Conduct research related to current petitions submitted to EPA
Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Troy Strock (strock.troy@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor directly.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: October, 2024. All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors. Click here for detailed information about start dates.
Appointment Length: The appointment initially may 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.
ORISE offers all ORISE EPA graduate students and Postdocs a free 5-year membership to the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA).
The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility.
Questions: Please see the FAQ section of our website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.EPA.REG@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
