Chemistry Lab Support Scientist

The EPA National Student Services Contract has an immediate opening for a full time Chemistry Lab Support Scientist position with the Office of Research and Development at the EPA facility in Cincinnati, OH.

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 Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response (CESER) plans, coordinates and conducts an applied, customer-driven, national research and development program to improve decision making by EPA, federal, state, tribal and local agencies, when faced with challenging environmental problems in the built environment.  Within CESER, the Land Remediation and Technology Division (LRTD) plans, coordinates and conducts an applied, national, customer-driven research program that delivers innovative and effective technologies, guidance, and tools to manage the nation’s land resources in a more sustainable and productive manner.

As a team member, you will be part of a team that will provide technical support in the area of organic chemical analyses for such matrices as soils, sediments, waters, gases and biological materials. Major classes of compounds to be processed and analyzed include volatiles, semi-volatiles, polymers, plastic additives, and particulates including microplastics. The team member will work closely with other project members and will assist with various analyses that may include the use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR), and other particle size measurement systems. Sample introduction techniques include headspace analyzers, pyrolysis, automated liquid sample injectors, large volume injectors, and thermal desorption; the successful candidate will help prepare samples for these sample introduction techniques, help analyze the samples and assist in data processing. Existing SOPs will be used for the analysis of the samples. In case SOPs for the contaminants of concern don’t exist, method development that will include sample preparation as well as extensive cleanup or purification might be required for successful analysis; the successful candidate is expected to assist with these efforts.  The position requires a high degree of competence with quality control.  The successful team member may also be required to assist in the routine analysis of these compounds in support of numerous on-going projects and/or developing new projects.

Laboratory Research Responsibilities will include:

• Assist with extraction techniques for organic chemical analyses for such matrices as soils, sediments, waters, gases and biological materials;
• Operation and assisting in analysis of major classes of organic compounds volatiles, semi-volatiles, polymers, plastic additives, and particulates including microplastics. The team member will work closely with other project members and will assist with various analyses that may include the use of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry;
• Assist in the operation of Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR), and other particle size measurement systems;
• Assist in sample introduction techniques include headspace analyzers, pyrolysis, automated liquid sample injectors, large volume injectors, and thermal desorption nanoparticle analysis instrumentation including nanoparticle tracking analysis, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscope; and
• Conducting literature reviews.
  
  

Communications-related responsibilities will include:

• Participating as a member of a multi-disciplinary research team;
• Interacting with other members of the development team as well as EPA scientists;
• Collecting, documenting and analyzing data; and
• Presenting work performed at a scientific conference as required.
  
  

Training will be provided on certain instruments, but prior knowledge/familiarity will help expediating the participation in analytical support activities in the laboratory.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Demonstrated proficiency with the operation of Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) equipment for the analysis of Volatile and Semi-Volatile organic compounds and
• Strong written, oral, and electronic communication skills.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Work Experience, and Education

• Demonstrated education and/or experience with the following is desired but not required:
  • Chemical extractions of organic compound from environmental media such as wastewater, sediments, and soils;
  • InfraRed spectrometry; and
  • Particle Counter for analysis of water samples.

Location:  This job will be located EPA’s facility in Cincinnati, OH.

Salary: Selected applicant will become a temporary employee of ORAU and will receive an hourly wage of $32.26 for hours worked.

Hours: Full-time.

Travel: Occasional overnight travel may be required.

Expected start date: The position is full time and expected to begin March 2025. 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 Master’s degree in chemistry (organic, analytical), environmental sciences, environmental/chemical engineering, or a 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.

EPA ORD employees, their spouses, and children are not eligible to participate in this program.