Microbial Risk Assessment and Monitoring
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A research opportunity is currently available at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment (CPHEA), located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. EPA ORD recently reorganized and this is the newly named Center. This was formerly in the National Exposure Research Laboratory (NERL).
This research opportunity addresses environmental microbial transport including overland, and in-stream processes in urban ecosystems impacted by aging infrastructures and anthropogenic pressures. This research includes development of empirical statistical models for determination of fecal bacterial concentrations in source waters. As part of this training, the participant will be interacting with other researchers at the EPA/Research Triangle Park campus to identify and conduct studies to understand the risk of exposure to pathogens and identify important parameters for the calibration and verification of exposure models. This research is aligned with studies supporting development of quantitative microbial risk assessment and storm water management.
As part of a team of scientists at ORD that include laboratory, field and modeling team, the research participant may:
- Contribute to the collection and processing of samples from field locations. Sample processing includes various types of laboratory analysis such as membrane filtration of water samples, and sediment slurries, apply methods for total counts of fecal bacteria, and preparing samples for DNA extraction procedures.
- Perform DNA extraction procedures from a variety of matrices including filters from water samples, sediments, and manure
- Learn application of PCR technology to detect functional genes
- Use of standard techniques to prepare microbial enrichments for pathogen screening
- Learn application of quantitative real-time PCR techniques to determine concentration of environmental microorganisms as well as microbial source tracking markers
The research participant will learn how to use data to develop statistical or watershed models of microbial contaminants in urban system. The research participant may travel to scientific conferences for presentation of research results.
The mentor for this opportunity is Dr. Marirosa Molina (Molina.marirosa@epa.gov).
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 1, 2020
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should have received a master's degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by the appointment start date. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date.
Preferred skills:
- Demonstrated education in watershed and/or statistical modeling, preferably of microbial processes or concentrations
- Demonstrated education and/or experience in microbiology and/or molecular biology
- Knowledge of general microbiological techniques including handling of axenic cultures and isolation of environmental microorganisms
- Knowledge of DNA extraction and clean-up techniques, performance of PCR and qPCR assays (including preparation of standard curves, testing of primer/probe sets and standardization of assays)
- Knowledge of bioinformatics analysis
- Knowledge on the use of field equipment such as multiprobe meters, automatic samplers, weather stations, and measurements of water chemistry parameters
- Excellent oral, written, and electronic communication skills
- Experience with common computer operation and software usage (e.g., Microsoft Office Professional Suite, including Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
If you have questions, send an email to EPArpp@orau.org. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (EPA-ORD-NERL-IO-2020-03) in your email.