We are seeking candidates for a one-year post-master's degree watershed-scale modeling position with US Environmental Protection Agency in Cincinnati, Ohio, through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Program. Details on the position can be found at: http://orise.orau.gov/epa/description.aspx?JobId=12657 and are listed below. Application information is detailed at: http://www.orau.gov/partform/EPA/EPA_Application.pdf.
*Project Description* A postgraduate research project training opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL). This appointment will be served in the Ecological Exposure Research Division (EERD), located in Cincinnati, Ohio. EERD conducts ecological exposure research to inform decisions supporting ecosystem protection and restoration by providing a sound biological foundation for ecological exposure science. This research provides relevant, high impact science that addresses enduring EPA needs, focusing its resources and capabilities in molecular, population and ecosystem assessment methods on achievable results in the area of ecological receptor characterization. Using systems-based, watershed scale modeling and monitoring approaches, EPA/ORD scientists are studying the linkages between landscapes and land use modalities, the fate and transport of material and energy from landscapes to exposed aquatic systems, and the subsequent cascade of exposure and effects on critical aquatic endpoints, including ecosystem function and condition. This interdisciplinary research project focuses on two linked efforts: (1) Estimating aquatic ecosystem response thresholds in agricultural watersheds connecting the landscape to aquatic ecosystem endpoints through effective integration of models and ecological indicators, and (2) Modeling hydrological connectivity between geographically isolated wetlands and surface water systems. With guidance from the mentors, Drs. Charles Lane and Heather Golden, the selected individual may be involved with the following training opportunities: Developing multi-scale empirical models describing direct linkages between landscape characteristics (e.g., land cover, soil moisture, and hydrologic distance-to-stream metrics), in-stream habitat metrics (e.g., channel embeddedness), water chemistry data (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, and pesticides concentrations), and ecological endpoints (e.g., functional measures such as decomposition rates, nutrient spiraling distances, and primary productivity; condition measures such as various indices of biotic integrity and their components). Applying and refining a mechanistic model to identify and quantify hydrological connections between isolated wetland systems and other aquatic systems (e.g., streams, rivers, and lakes) at multiple scales. The research participant will be afforded the opportunity to develop, utilize, and refine watershed scale empirical and mechanistic models to answer research questions that will support future decision making for agricultural watersheds and protection of US waterways. The research participant will be exposed to and interact with a large team of researchers from a variety of backgrounds across EPA and other government and non-government institutions. The participant may also have the opportunity to present research findings at a select research conference and will collaborate on a project-related manuscript(s). The participant will become a member of a cross-ORD research team focusing on Ohio's Little Miami River Watershed, and will contribute to significant research efforts underway in other watersheds with substantial agricultural land use. The participant may also have the opportunity to contribute to related studies focused on identification of specific in-stream measures of function and rates of whole-stream metabolism that will be important aspects in the development of mechanistic linkages between biological endpoints and landscape components and processes. *Qualifications* Applicants must have received a masters degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, geography, environmental engineering, or a similar field within five years of the desired starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting date. A background in watershed hydrology and aquatic ecology, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and statistical (e.g., R, SAS) and mechanistic watershed modeling (e.g., SWAT, HSPF), is desired. The program is open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, or status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran. U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status is preferred (but can also hold an appropriate visa status, however, an H1B visa is not appropriate). The appointment is full-time for one year and may be renewed for up to two additional years upon recommendation of EPA contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. This can be obtained through ORISE. The participant does not become an EPA employee. Funding may be made available to reimburse a participants travel expenses to present the results of his/her research at scientific conferences. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for pre-appointment visits, relocation costs, tuition and fees, or a participant's health insurance. *Technical Contacts* The contacts for this project are Drs. Heather E. Golden ([email protected]) and Charles Lane ([email protected]). *How To Apply* The Research Participation Program for EPA ORD is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Please reference Project #EPA-ORD/NERL-EERD-2012-01when calling or writing for information. Applications are accepted and processed on a continuing basis until the selection is made. For additional information and application materials contact: Research Participation Program/EPA-ORD, Attn: Betty Bowling, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, P.O. Box 117, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-0117, Phone: (865) 576-8503 FAX: (865) 241-5219 e-mail: [email protected]. An application can be found at http://www.orau.gov/partform/EPA/EPA_Application.pdf _________________________________________________________ Heather E. Golden, Ph.D. Research Physical Scientist Ecological Exposure Research Division US EPA, National Exposure Research Laboratory 26 W. Martin Luther King Drive, MS-585 Cincinnati, OH 45268 513-569-7773 / [email protected] _______________________________________________________
