Research Project Description

Bacteria in Drinking Water
Postgraduate Internship Program
Office of Water
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH

EPA-OW/OGWDW 2013-02

Project Description:

A postgraduate internship project is available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Water in Cincinnati, Ohio. The internship will be served with the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water in the Technical Support Center (TSC).

Protecting drinking water supplies is a part of the mission of EPA. EPA has promulgated several National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWRs) designed to ensure safe drinking water supplies. Under these regulations, drinking water supplies are routinely tested using a variety of analytical test methods approved by EPA. A study will be conducted that will compare recovery of stressed/injured bacteria using the approved analytical test methods.

This research project will involve analysis of water samples using established, prescriptive analytical test methods, as well as routine microbiological laboratory techniques such as: media preparation, bacterial isolation/culture/identification techniques, handling of biohazardous materials, and data collection/analysis skills.

This project will allow the research participant to gain knowledge and experience in an environmental microbiology laboratory as well as knowledge about drinking water regulations and analyses. This project will also allow the participant to review, analyze, and interpret environmental data regarding the recovery of stressed/injured bacteria in drinking water samples. The results from this study will be summarized in a peer-reviewed manuscript.

Qualifications:

Applicants should have received at an associate's, bachelor’s or master’s degree in microbiology or biology, with experience in microbiology, within five years of the starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the starting date. Experience using standard microbiological practices and laboratory equipment is desired.

The program is open to all qualified individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, or status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran. U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status is preferred (but the applicant can also hold an appropriate visa status, however, a H1B visa is not appropriate) 

The participant will be selected based upon academic records, recommendations, research interests and on compatibility of background and interests with research programs and projects at TSC. The deadline for applying for this project is April 15, 2013.

The appointment will initially be full-time for a one-year period and may be renewed for an additional two years depending on the availability of funding and upon recommendation of EPA. The annual stipend will range from $27,000 to $42,000. The participant will receive a monthly stipend based upon educational level and prior experience. The participant must show proof of health insurance. This can be obtained through ORISE. The intern does not become an EPA employee.

Technical Questions:

The EPA contact person for this project is Jennifer Best. She can be contacted at best.jennifer@epa.gov.

How to Apply:

The Internship/Research Participation Program for EPA’s Office of Water-OGWDW is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). Please reference Project # EPA-OW/OGWDW 2013-02 when calling or writing for information. For additional information and application materials contact: Research Participation Program/EPA, Attn: Betty Bowling, Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, P.O. Box 117, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-0117, Phone: (865) 576-8503 FAX: (865) 241-5219 e-mail: betty.bowling@orau.org.

An application can be found at http://www.orau.gov/partform/EPA/EPA_Application.pdf.