*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A research opportunity is currently available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL), Groundwater, Watershed, and Ecosystem Remediation Division (GWERD) located in Ada, Oklahoma.
The research participant will have the opportunity to learn about EPA research on in-situ groundwater remediation and the tools used to access the long-term performance of groundwater cleanup technologies at hazardous waste sites.
Activities may include:
- Reviewing literature related to the geochemistry of Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in the environment, evaluating existing models and protocols for their application as geochemical tracers, and identification of specific properties of these elements.
- Investigating mechanisms controlling the fate and transport of REE in groundwater and surface water.
- Investigating the transport and retention of REE in saturated porous media through laboratory-based packed-column experiments.
- Use state-of-the-art high resolution ICP-MS instrumentation for analyzing parts per trillion concentrations of REE.
- Evaluating chromium and sulfate isotope data from selected sites.
- Preparing samples and measuring stable isotope ratios of sulfur in environmental samples using isotope ratio mass spectrometry.
- Writing, reviewing, and presenting data at regional, national, and international conferences.
- Communicate findings to the public.
The research participant will develop and refine research skills, such as: state-of-the-science methods for sampling groundwater monitoring wells; participate at real-world contaminated sites; collect & characterize samples from complex natural systems; use state-of-the-art high resolution ICP-MS instrumentation for analyzing parts per trillion concentrations of REE; conduct lab-based experiments to help constrain observations from field systems; integrate multiple data sets into research products. This is a unique opportunity to participate in research that bridges the gap between complex natural systems and ideal laboratory-based systems.
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding how environmental variables (pH, ionic strength, mineral surfaces etc.) affect fate and transport of REE in porous media.
- Understanding the conditions that promote and retard transport of REEs in saturated and unsaturated porous media.
- Learning methods of environmental sample collection and characterization using state-of-the-art methods.
- Writing concise and impactful peer-reviewed journal articles.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 30, 2020
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. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. The appointment is full-time at EPA in the Ada, Oklahoma, area. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA. OPM can complete a background investigation only for individuals, including non-US citizens, who have resided in the US for the past three years.
The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by the start date of the appointment. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
Preferred skills/experience:
- Research background on the geochemistry of trace metals, including Rare Earth Elements, and stable isotope applications is preferred.
- Lab-experimental skills on batch adsorption and packed-column experiments, along with material property characterization experience using XRD, FT-IR, SEM, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, IRMS, ICP-MS, AFM, and/or X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy, is preferred.
- Experience with statistical tools such as principal component analysis is preferred.
- Experience with geochemical modeling is also preferred.
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 6/1/2020 11:59:00 PM.
- Discipline(s):
- Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).
