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2 Post-Doc Positions with the US EPA

Posted: 
06/23/2020
Expiration Date: 
07/31/2020

Research on the ecological condition of aquatic ecosystems in the U.S.

The EPA’s research laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon is seeking candidates for 2 post-doctoral positions. Duties include:

Background: The participants will have the opportunity to utilize existing and on-going national datasets on the biological, chemical and physical characteristics of streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands from the National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS; https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys), as well as landscape/watershed data (e.g., from StreamCat; https://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys/streamcat) to conduct research relative to improving assessments of ecological condition. The participants will cooperate with a group of ca. 20 principal investigators and post-docs in the NARS team.

Learning Opportunities: The selected individual will have the opportunity to learn about EPA's research programs focused on the National Aquatic Resource Surveys (NARS), and research efforts aimed at improving the ecological assessments that NARS produces. The selected candidate(s) will have opportunities to plan research, analyze data and write peer-reviewed publications in cooperation with NARS PIs. The candidate will be mentored by EPA's Pacific Ecological Systems Division (PESD).   

Research Topics: The participants' research may include areas such as (1) modeling of expected species composition (macroinvertebrates, fish, algae, wetland plants) in the absence of major anthropogenic disturbance; (2) setting threshold values to separate aquatic systems (or assemblages) in least disturbed condition from those in disturbed condition; (3) using ancillary landscape and watershed data to diagnose probable cause of impaired aquatic condition; and (4) establishing approach to identify remaining high-quality waters in each region of the conterminous U.S. 

This is a 12-month appointment with the possibility of an extension dependent on funding.

Interested candidates can apply through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE):

https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/EPA-ORD-CPHEA-PESD-2020-02