A postdoctoral research project training opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA), Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory (NHEERL). The appointment will be served with the Gulf Ecology Division (GED) in Gulf Breeze, Florida.
This project aims to determine how sediments and nutrients interact with other environmental stressors to impact coastal marine resources, using a site-specific approach. Addressing how sediments, nutrients and other stressor inputs from watersheds impact coastal marine resources, the main research problem is determining how these stressors interact to adversely affect coast systems, including coral reefs. Under the guidance of a mentor, the selected research participant may be involved in the following activities: understanding how sediments, nutrients, and other stressors can interact to affect coastal resources understanding the linkages between sediment and nutrient inputs into watersheds and how they can cause downstream impacts to coastal systems determining safe levels and adverse effects thresholds of multiple stressors on coastal systems, including reef building corals The research participant will have the opportunity to exercise initiative and judgment commensurate with their level of experience and education. S/he will be mentored by a senior scientist at GED and learn to develop approaches for integrating and interpreting impacts on coastal marine resources using a multiple stressor framework. Specific learning opportunities may include: state of the science in multiple stressor interaction and integration approaches use of laboratory systems to determine safe levels and adverse effects thresholds of multiple stressors on biological test systems determining causal relationships between multiple stressors and adverse effects on coastal resources, including reef building corals The research participant will be mentored in data interpretation, presentation and organization, and in methods to communicate scientific findings in a clear and concise manner. Professional development opportunities could also include presenting research at scientific meetings, authoring publications, and collaborating with external (non- EPA) scientists and engineers. Qualifications: Applicants must have received a doctoral degree in biology/biological sciences; conservation biology; ecology; environmental science; marine biology and biological oceanography; marine sciences; or soil chemistry and physics within five years of the desired starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting date. 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 a candidate also may hold an appropriate visa status; an H1B visa is not appropriate). The appointment is full time for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend. Funding may be made available to reimburse the participant's 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. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee. Technical Questions: The mentor for this project will be Dr. Mace Barron ([email protected]). How to Apply: An application can be found at http://orise.orau.gov/epa/applicants/application.htm. Please reference Project # EPA-ORD/NHEERL-GED-2014-02 when calling or writing for information.
