Biology Research Technician
The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full-time contractor position; Biology Research Technician with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.
Salary: $30.76 per hour.
Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.
Required Skills:
- Demonstrated education and/or experience in microbiology and/or molecular biology;
- Proficiency with the following: (1) molecular laboratory techniques, especially analyses using qPCR and/or ddPCR (including preparation of standard curves, testing of primer/probe sets and standardization of assays); (2) library preparation for next generation sequencing analysis; and (3) appropriate sample handling and preparation and implementation of quality assurance protocols;
- Experience with bioinformatic processing of high throughput sequence data, including appropriate software and scripting;
- Excellent oral, written, and electronic communication skills; and
- Experience with common computer operation and software usage (e.g., Microsoft Office Professional Suite, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint).
Desired Skills:
- Experience with the use of field multiprobe meters, automatic samplers, and measurements of water chemistry parameters
Qualifications
- Be at least 18 years of age and
- Have earned at least a Master’s degree in Microbiology, Ecology, Environmental Health Science, Toxicology, Biological Science, Biochemistry, or related disciplines from an accredited university or college within the last 24 months and
- Be a citizen of the United States of America or a Legal Permanent Resident.
EPA ORD employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program.
What the EPA project is about
Within ORD, the Center for Environmental Measurement & Modeling (CEMM) conducts research to advance EPA’s ability to measure and model contaminants in the environment, including research to provide fundamental methods and models needed to implement environmental statutes. The methods and models developed by CEMM are typically applied at the airshed, watershed and ecosystem level. Within CEMM, the Watershed and Ecosystem Characterization Division (WECD) conducts research to advance EPA’s ability to characterize the presence, transport, transformation, sources, and impacts of contaminants in watersheds and ecological systems.
The work to be performed under this statement of work provides improved understanding of processes that determine fate and transport of nuisance species, including microbial contaminants, into freshwater and coastal aquatic environments. Results from studies conducted under this task will be used in conjunction with other related biological studies to help evaluate the transport of DNA genetic markers of a variety of biological stressors and environmental health indicators from point and nonpoint sources including both urban and agricultural ecosystems, to determine exposure to humans and ecological systems in aquatic environments.
This is an excellent opportunity for a recent Master’s graduate to collaborate with EPA’s research team. Research experience includes:
- Conducting routine molecular laboratory tasks including nucleic acids extraction/purification/characterization from various sample matrices, qPCR and ddPCR analysis of both DNA and RNA, and preparation of libraries for high throughput sequencing from both metazoan and microbial communities;
- Conducting bioinformatic analysis of high throughput sequence data for both shotgun metagenomic and amplicon-based applications, including sequence processing, development of OTU and ASV tables, and taxonomic assignments;
- Conducting microbial and general water quality analyses including quantification of microbial contaminants, nutrients, and other physicochemical parameters. Conduct field sampling at local research sites; and
- Networking and exploring many career paths at EPA.
Interested in this research opportunity? If so, follow the link below to apply. Questions? Email EPANSSC@ORAU.org