The participant will collaborate with a team of EPA scientists on several papers and laboratory-based research efforts investigating the effects of ocean and nutrient-enhanced coastal acidification on marine and estuarine organisms, including coral, invertebrates, and fish. The research includes laboratory investigations of the interactive effects of acidification and hypoxia on a range of species and life stages of estuarine organisms. The participant may measure a variety of organism responses to acidification and other stressors, including molecular, genomic, biochemical, cellular and organism level endpoints to better understand adverse effects on biological systems and processes such as calcification. Multiple stressor effects, including nutrients, dissolved oxygen, temperature, contaminants, or sediment may be investigated.
Research may include:
* Participating in developing organism exposure systems
* Conducting organism exposures to multiple stressors, collecting data and interpreting results
* Reading and interpreting relevant scientific literature
* Participating in collaborations with the project team
* Preparing presentations and summaries of the research results
* Presenting at professional meetings
* Authoring manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journal
This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA.
Qualifications
Applicants must have received a doctoral degree in in environmental science, ecology, molecular biology, chemistry, biology, or a closely related field within five years of the desired start date or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting date. An understanding of a variety of organism responses to multiple environmental stressors, including molecular and genomic endpoints, and understanding of biological calcification and/or carbonate chemistry is desired.
The appointment is full-time for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend. Funding may be made available to reimburse the participant’s travel expenses to present the results of his/her research at scientific conferences. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for pre-appointment visits, relocation costs, tuition and fees, or participant’s health insurance. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee.
The mentor for this project is Barron Mace (barron.mace(at)epa.gov). The anticipated start date is October 2016.
To Apply
Applicants will have to register and see the announcement using this specific procedure to apply:
1) follow this link: https://www.zintellect.com/Mentor/PostingApplications?PostingId=2612
2) Register as an applicant (a few boxes to fill in, including a new user name, pw)
3) click on “search opportunities”
4) under keyword type: “coastal acidification”
5) click on the link to “Ocean and Coastal Acidification and Hypoxia Effects on Marine and Estuarine Organisms”
6) Applicants will need to upload a resume, two professional references, and transcripts.
Contact person: Deborah L. Santavy, PhD , Research Ecologist, US Environmental Protection Agency, Gulf Ecology Division, 1 Sabine Island Dr., Gulf Breeze, FL 32561, O: 850-934-9358; FAX: 850-934-2402 , Santavy.debbie(at)epa.gov
