EPA Fellowship: Quantification and Modeling of Chemical Partitioning and Fate in High Throughput Toxicity Systems

About the role

Located in Duluth, Minnesota, this EPA research opportunity focuses on developing and evaluating new approach methodologies for toxicity testing using high‑throughput 96‑well plate systems with small aquatic organisms. The project involves quantifying chemical concentrations, evaluating novel delivery strategies, and building computational models to predict partitioning and fate. You will work under the mentorship of Heather Brown (Brown.Heather@epa.gov). The appointment is initially for one year, with possible renewal for three to four additional years contingent on funding and EPA recommendation.

Responsibilities

• Develop analytical methods for quantifying organic contaminants in water.
• Quantify contaminants using gas or liquid chromatography coupled to high‑resolution mass spectrometry.
• Develop and evaluate exposure strategies for methodologically challenging chemicals (high Kow, volatile, reactive).
• Develop and apply methods for extracting organic contaminants from environmental matrices (surface waters, effluents, animal/plant tissues, soil, sediment).
• Perform data quality assurance and quality control in analytical chemistry software.
• Develop predictive fate and partitioning models based on chemical properties and structures.
• Conduct molecular, biochemical, physiological, and/or histological analyses on biofluids and tissue samples from aquatic organisms.
• Process and analyze large, high‑content data sets using existing and novel computational pipelines.
• Analyze experimental data and generate tables, figures, and summaries of results.
• Conduct statistical analyses (hypothesis testing, regression, multivariate statistics, concordance analyses, etc.).
• Present research results at scientific meetings and contribute to peer‑reviewed publications.

Skills

• Operate and maintain scientific instruments and laboratory automation systems.
• Gain hands‑on experience with aquatic organisms, analytical instrumentation, and associated software platforms.
• Evaluate data quality, troubleshoot experimental results, and apply statistical methods for data analysis and interpretation.
• Engage in project planning, communication, coordination, research implementation, and data analysis as part of a transdisciplinary team.
• Interact with internationally recognized scientific leaders within and outside EPA.
• Contribute to original research and associated publications.
• Apply analytical chemistry methods and data to regulatory decision‑making at local, national, and international levels.

Requirements

• U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident only.
• Successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) required for EPA on‑boarding.
• Proof of health insurance required; coverage can be obtained through ORISE.
• Compliance with facility Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements, including COVID‑19 precautions (facial covering, distancing, testing, vaccination).

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing (within 4 months of completion) or have received a bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field (Chemistry, analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, computational chemistry, physical chemistry, etc.) within the last 5 years.
• Bachelor's degree holders must have research experience equivalent to a master's degree in one of the relevant fields.

Pay

Participant receives a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience; the anticipated stipend range is $52,500 – $64,000 per year.

Benefits

• Health insurance available through ORISE (required for participation).
• Free 5‑year membership to the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) for ORISE EPA graduate students and postdocs.

Schedule

Full‑time participation.