EPA Fellowship in the Science of Recycling Measurement and Reducing Plastic Pollution

*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: Two research training opportunities are currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA), Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) located in Washington, DC.

The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is to protect human health and the environment. One or more full-time paid opportunities are available with the EPA's Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) in Washington, DC. ORCR works with state, tribal and regional partners to implement the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Our mission is to protect human health and the environment by ensuring responsible management of hazardous and nonhazardous waste. ORCR's goals are to conserve resources by reducing waste, prevent future waste disposal problems through regulations, and clean up areas where waste may have spilled, leaked, or been improperly disposed.

Research Project: Over the last 20 years, the global annual production of plastic products has more than doubled despite insufficient waste management capacity globally, and as a result, plastic waste has also doubled. In 2019, roughly 23 percent of global plastic waste was either improperly disposed, burned, or leaked into the environment. Plastic products account for approximately 85 percent of total global marine waste and between 70 and 80 percent of all waste that ends up in land and marine environments combined. Plastic products in the environment tend to break down over time to form very small pieces called microplastics, which can pose serious threats to wildlife and may potentially harm human health. In 2022, the pervasiveness and persistence of plastic waste in the environment drove the United Nations Environmental Program’s (UNEP) Environmental Assembly (UNEA) to launch the development of an international, legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.

Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will research reducing plastics pollution, measurement and analysis of of recycling data, and how EPA can help promote a circular economy. The participant will have the opportunity to collaborate with peers at EPA, as well as other federal agencies and non-profit and academic institutions. They will collaborate with scientists in environmental and social sciences. This appointment is at EPA Headquarters and is not in a laboratory.

Learning Objectives: The participant may be involved in one or more of the following areas:

• Measurement of various materials that comprise municipal solid waste and how they are managed through landfilling, recycling, and other management pathways.
• Quantifying the environmental and economic value of recyclable materials.

Evaluate ways to improve recycling in various communities including rural, urban, and communities with environmental justice concerns.

Quantifying and evaluating recycling rates for EPA's Facts and Figures reports.

Refining the Waste Hierarchy to inform efforts to improve waste management decisions.

Evaluating important criteria and indicators for evaluating waste management processes. 

Identifying and quantifying new goals for EPA's circular economy efforts.

Understanding the role of compostable plastics and microplastics.

Evaluating chemical and thermal processing of plastic waste

Assessing the barriers to reducing single use plastics and increasing recycling in the United States and recommending potential solutions.

Advising on the implementation of the National Strategy to Prevent Plastic Pollution and measuring resulting outputs and outcomes.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Tori Gonzalez (Gonzalez.Victoria@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor directly.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: August 26, 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 up to three additional years upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. At this time stipend levels are Master’s ~$68,405; PhD ~$82,764. 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.

ORISE offers all ORISE EPA graduate students and Postdocs a free 5-year membership to the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA).

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 master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or currently be pursuing one of the degrees with anticipated completion before December 31, 2024. Degree must have been received within the past five years. 

Preferred skills/experience:

• Knowledge of science related to municipal solid waste management including material recovery, landfilling, mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, landfilling, and/or other management pathways.
• Knowledge of environmental science and policy, public health, municipal/local government, or interdisciplinary science policy.
• Strong analytical skills and oral and written communication skills.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 12/30/2024 11:59:00 PM.
• Academic Level(s): Graduate Students, Postdoctoral, or Post-Master's.