The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time Molecular Laboratory Technician position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Gulf Breeze, FL.

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

The Office of Research and Development (ORD) 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.

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 Gulf Ecosystem Measurement and Modeling Division (GEMMD) provides leadership and specialized research in marine, estuarine, and watershed ecology and ecotoxicology to predict and assess the effects of human-generated stressors on the unique aquatic resources of the U.S. Gulf of Mexico & the Nation.

As a team member, you will receive hands-on laboratory experience in support of aquatic toxicology research, including sample preparation for qPCR and development of in vitro cell-based assays. The team member will also assist in laboratory experiments by collecting data and preparing samples. The goal of this project is to characterize species-specific molecular responses (gene expression and protein activation) to contaminant exposure. This research supports the Ecotoxicological Assessment and Modeling Research Area within the Chemical Safety for Sustainability Research Program of EPA's Office of Research and Development.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

Academic coursework shall include science courses with laboratory component;
• Basic experience (at least three months) working in a laboratory setting;
• Experience following written protocols;
• Proficiency performing basic chemistry calculations, preparing solutions, and pipetting;
• Basic experience with biochemical assays, in vitro assays, and molecular biology techniques including RNA isolation;
• Basic experience working with hazardous substances;
• Experience collecting data, maintaining a detailed scientific laboratory notebook, and electronic record keeping;
• Experience with basic laboratory health and safety procedures;
• Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills; and
• Strong organizational skills including experience preparing spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations as well as demonstrated ability to adhere to assigned deadlines.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Training and/or experience in a molecular biology, cell biology, or chemistry lab.

Location: This job will be located EPA's facility in Gulf Breeze, FL.

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $23.13 for hours worked.

Hours: Full Time

Travel: No overnight travel is anticipated.

Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin June 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 environmental risk assessment, ecology, toxicology, environmental science, epidemiology, computer or information science, or a closely related field of study 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.