Biology Research Technician (Part-Time) - ORAU

The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a part time Biology Research Technician position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.

The Office of Research and Development at the EPA supports high-quality research to improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues and help EPA achieve its environmental goals. Research is conducted in a broad range of environmental areas by scientists in EPA laboratories and at universities across the country.

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.

As a team member, you will assist with studies to determine microbial and environmental DNA fate and transport and their impact on freshwater and marine coastal environments.  

Specific duties include:

• Conducting routine molecular laboratory tasks including nucleic acids extraction/purification/characterization from various sample matrices;
• PCR (including qPCR and possibly ddPCR) analysis of DNA from both metazoan and microbial communities;
• Conducting microbial and general water quality analyses including quantification of microbial contaminants, nutrients, and other physicochemical parameters;
• Assisting with field sampling at local research sites; and
• Assisting with coordination laboratory activities, including support and maintenance of laboratory instrumentation, data collection, and general laboratory maintenance and management. All necessary instructions and training will be provided by EPA staff.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Proficiency with basic molecular laboratory techniques, especially nucleic acid extraction and characterization;
• 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 Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Familiarity with qPCR, including preparation of standard curves, testing of primer/probe sets and standardization of assays.

Location:  This job will be located EPA’s facility in Research Triangle Park, NC.

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $29.09 for hours worked.

Hours: Part-Time (20 hours/week)

Travel: Occasional travel to local sampling locations may be required.

Expected start date: The position is part time and expected to begin December 2024. The selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU working as a contractor to EPA.

For more information, contact EPANSSC@orau.org. Do not contact EPA directly.

• Be at least 18 years of age and
• Have earned at least a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Ecology, Environmental Health Science, Toxicology, Biological Science, Biochemistry, or related disciplines plus at least one year of post-Bachelor’s education in microbiology and/or molecular biology 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.