EPA Human Health Environmental Exposures 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 available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Public Health Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), Public Health and Environmental Systems Division (PHESD), Epidemiology Branch located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Research Project: The research will utilize human subjects data and publicly-available health databases to investigate the human health effects of air and water pollutants and other environmental exposures.

The research participant will have the opportunity to be involved in statistical analyses to evaluate associations between environmental exposures and human health effects. Research activities could include: 1) identifying sources of environmental exposure data; 2) developing exposure and effect metrics and indicators of environmentally-associated health effects; 3) cleaning and preparing large data sets for analysis; 4) conducting data analyses, documenting statistical code, and interpreting results; 5) conducting and documenting quality assurance and review of data analyses and databases; 6) organizing results of analyses and contributing to manuscripts and journal articles; 7) preparing presentations, graphics and summaries of the data.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the research participant will have the opportunity to learn to conduct research with human health and human subjects data and receive training in the ethical issues surrounding the use of these data. The research participant will learn to manage data sets and expand their knowledge of the range of epidemiologic methods and statistical approaches for data analysis and mathematical modeling. The research participant will be mentored in methods of data interpretation, presentation, and organization, and in methods to communicate scientific findings in a clear and concise manner.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Elizabeth Hilborn (hilborn.e@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 or 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.