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EPA Exposure Pathway Modeling 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 LocationA research opportunity is available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE), Chemical Characterization & Exposure Division (CCED) located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

Research Project: The EPA Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure (CCTE) is responsible for developing new computational tools and providing quantitative analysis for improving public health and environmental risk assessments and regulatory decisions pertaining to chemical safety. Throughout the course of this project, the participant will collaborate with a CCTE team developing computational tools (including mechanistic and statistical models) to predict population estimates of human exposures and doses to thousands of existing and emerging chemicals in commerce. This research project will focus on characterizing exposure pathways for which predictive data or models are lacking (e.g., via ambient pathways such as via chemicals in biosolids, or occupational pathways). The models and data developed by the participant will inform EPA consensus models for these pathways. 

Under the guidance of a mentor, the research participant may be involved in the following research activities:
  • Analyzing innovative data describing how individuals come into contact with chemicals (such as information on chemical use and sources or activities relevant to the pathways in questions). 
  • Analyzing, modeling, and interpreting measurement data describing chemical concentrations measured in field studies of human exposure, including concentrations measured in occupational media.  
  • Assisting in the development of computational models/algorithms of chemical fate, transport, or exposure processes for priority exposure pathways.
  • Parameterizing and running existing or newly developed models for various chemicals, and interpret and summarize results
  • Performing reviews of literature or other available data for identifying measurements for evaluating exposure model algorithms and results.

Learning Objectives: The research participant will collaborate with an integrated team of agency scientists towards generating critical research hypotheses, developing programmatic tools to test these hypotheses, and ultimately solving complex environmental health problems. Through this research training opportunity, the research participant will have the opportunity develop their programming, analytical, and communication skills.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Kristin Isaacs (isaacs.kristin@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: Spring 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 up to three to 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.