EPA Research Opportunity to Study Microbial Communities and Biogeochemical Cycling in the San Juan Bay Estuary

*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline. Click here for information about the selection process.

EPA Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Region 2 Caribbean office in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This research opportunity is with the Caribbean Environmental Protection Division/Multimedia Permits & Compliance Branch. While the participant will be mentored, and be based at, the EPA's Region 2 Caribbean office in Puerto Rico, they must also be willing to travel to EPA ORD offices in Narragansett, Rhode Island and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, as appropriate and permissible by the agency (as pertains to COVID-19), for training, sample analysis, and the presentation of results. Candidate must agree to annual travel to North Carolina and/or Rhode Island.

Research Project: Communities around the Caño Martín Peña (CMP) portion of the San Juan Bay Estuary (SJBE) in San Juan, Puerto Rico are subjected to frequent flooding of sewage-enriched urban runoff. This water floods their homes, schools, businesses, and streets. EPA researchers are working to quantify the flooding, understand the impact of extreme weather events on the water quality of surface waters and the level of exposure of the community to microbial pathogens. Previous work has revealed that the fecal indicator bacteria in this canal, and adjacent mangroves, constantly exceed the recommended criteria levels potentially exposing the population to microbial pathogens. The adjacent lagoon is known for having anoxic and hypoxic bottom waters, fish kills, and nuisance algal blooms. In addition to the microbial water quality monitoring, biogeochemical processes will be also studied to address the high levels of bioavailable nitrogen present in the system which could be responsible for the high sulfur concentrations in the air. 

The participant will assist the EPA research team to develop a research project. The EPA research team includes science staff from Region 2 and researchers from the Office of Research and Development (ORD), and both groups will provide guidance, instructions, and support for the participant. The participant will conduct field work, collect samples, and then analyze samples in the lab under the guidance of EPA researchers and regional staff. The research performed will help to document the ecosystem processes that are causing the localized ecological disturbances to occur, including microbial characterization, to allow for improved decision-making in the region. Prospective research will include microbial characterization across estuarine transects.  The participant may process samples for microbial water quality, prepare samples for DNA analysis such as qPCR and sequencing, process samples for nitrogen fixation assays, as well as perform general water quality analyses. 

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will have the opportunity to contribute to and collaborate on EPA research products, including published research articles in journals, outreach materials for stakeholder and community engagement, and presentations at national and local scientific meetings. There will also be opportunities for the participant to independently present research at scientific meetings, academic institutions, and to local stakeholders. 

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Evelyn Huertas (huertas.evelyn@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August, 2024.  All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors. Click here for detailed information about start dates.

Appointment Length: The appointment initially may be for one year and may be renewed upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding.

Level of Participation: The appointment is part-time, 24 hours per week. 

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. Click here for detailed information about full-time stipends.

EPA Security Clearance: Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility.

Questions: Please see the FAQ section of our website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process, please email ORISE.EPA.REG@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a Bachelor's or Master's degree in one of the relevant fields before August 15, 2024. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date. 

Preferred skills/experience:

• Background in the environmental sciences and some experience and knowledge of coastal ecosystem processes.
• Biology courses or have some other research experience in the field of coastal ecology.
• Some background (either via classwork or research experience) of microbial ecology and nutrient cycling is preferred.
• Experience collecting environmental samples in the field is strongly encouraged.
• Should be able to work well both in groups as well as independently and be interested in developing their research experience collaboratively with their mentors.
• Candidate must be fluent in Spanish and English, orally and in writing.