EPA Dredging, Sediment and Oceans Support Fellowship

A postgraduate research opportunity is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 2 office in New York, New York. This research opportunity is with the Water Division's Dredging, Sediments and Oceans Section.

For nearly 50 years, EPA’s Ocean Dumping Management Program has stopped many harmful materials from being dumped in the ocean and worked to limit ocean dumping generally. These efforts help prevent adverse impacts to human health, the marine environment, and other legitimate uses of the ocean (e.g., navigation, fishing) from pollution caused by ocean dumping. EPA Region 2's Dredging, Sediments and Oceans Section administers the Ocean Dumping Management Program to regulate activities in waters off New York, New Jersey and the U.S. Caribbean.

Exciting opportunity to conduct research focused on monitoring and assessment of ocean disposal sites and evaluating wastes and other materials considered for ocean disposal. The project will focus on database management and reporting tools development to support Region 2’s regulatory program and may also entail data analysis, GIS support projects and literature reviews. The selected participant may also conduct targeted research on coral reef ecosystems, climate change impacts on coastal ecosystems, marine debris and other coastal issues.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will gain an understanding of EPA’s marine pollution prevention programs and have an opportunity to develop research projects to support EPA’s role in working with federal agencies and state and local governments on ocean and coastal management. The participant will learn first-hand about the interaction between the various levels of government and the private sector on these issues. This project will provide excellent exposure to a broad range of scientific, technical, and policy issues pertaining to sources of marine pollution and the protection of the marine environment.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing one of the degrees with completion by the appointment start date. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date. 

Preferred skills/experience:

• Statistical analysis (particularly spatial and temporal analysis), modeling, and dashboarding/visualization (GIS, Qlik, R Shiny) 
• Ability to communicate findings and train others (technical staff and decision makers) on the interpretation of data visualizations
• Proficiency in defining research questions, metrics, and/or processes
• Knowledge in R and experience evaluating data quality
• Field sampling and measurement experience

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: March 2022.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 2/28/2022

To apply visit: https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/EPA-REG2-2022-01

If you have additional questions about the application process please email ORISE.EPA.REG@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.