EPA Air Pollution Science Librarian Assessment Fellowship

EPA Office/Lab and Location

The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment. EPA works to ensure that: Americans have clean air, land and water; National efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information; Federal laws protecting human health and the environment are administered and enforced fairly, effectively and as Congress intended; Environmental stewardship is integral to U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy; All parts of society have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks; Contaminated lands and toxic sites are cleaned up; and chemicals in the marketplace are reviewed for safety.

Research Project

The selected participant will report to IHAB. This opportunity is suited for someone who is seeking an opportunity to contribute to high-impact policy-relevant scientific assessments and research in support of the EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment.

Learning Objectives

• Applying systematic review methods to air pollution data, including development and application of literature search and screening strategies.
• Developing and applying the skills needed to prepare Integrated Review Documents.
• Devising scientific literature searching approaches for IHAB’s science-based assessment process and interacting with EPA scientists to improve assessment methodologies (e.g., evaluating the effectiveness of competing scientific literature search strategies for identifying studies included in the ISAs).
• Interacting with scientific literature databases and improving integration between literature screening software, repositories, and users (e.g., evaluation of machine learning-based literature screening tools; development of techniques for AI based-data extraction from scientific manuscripts during literature screening).
• Conducting independent library science research projects, while receiving guidance from the EPA mentor, with the potential opportunity to author peer-reviewed publications or develop conference presentations.

Mentor(s)

The mentor for this opportunity is Adrien Wilkie (wilkie.adrien@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Participant Stipend

The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $52,693 - $64,453 annually.

Citizenship Requirements

This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

EPA Security Clearance

Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA.

ORISE Information

• The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!

Qualification Requirements

• The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's degree in the one of the relevant fields (e.g. information science or library science).
• Preferred skills:
  • Knowledge of relational databases
  • Strong written, oral, and electronic communication skills
  • Complex Boolean literature search queries
  • Experience with major online research databases including Pubmed or Web of Science
  • Detailed recordkeeping skills to document literature search for transparency and reproducibility
  • Experience being a part of a high performing team
  • Experience with Endnote, SQL, and Python is strongly desired.