Research Project Description
Microelectrode Investigation of the Reaction of Pipe Materials with Drinking Water Disinfectants
Research Participation Program
Office of Research and Development
National Risk Management Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH
EPA-ORD/NRMRL-WSWRD-2013-01
Project Description:
A postdoctoral research project training opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The research participant will join NRMRL’s Water Supply and Water Resources Division (WSWRD) to investigate the abiotic in-situ reaction of drinking water disinfectants (e.g., free chlorine and monochloramine) with pipe materials (e.g., cast-iron and copper) on the microscale.
As a part of the EPA’s Safe and Sustainable Water Research Program, the research participant will be involved in team activities to improve EPA’s understanding of disinfectant and material interactions and their possible impact on water quality. Training opportunities may include:
- Measuring in-situ disinfectant microprofiles using microelectrode construction and application.
- Analyzing and developing kinetic models reactions
- Applying appropriate software to interpret collected data
- Developing and documenting methods, including report writing.
This training opportunity will provide exposure to cutting-edge microelectrode construction and application to understand material consumption of disinfectants on the microscale.
The research participant will have latitude in exercising independent initiative and judgment in the research commensurate with the level of training.
Qualifications:
Applicants must have received a doctoral degree in environmental engineering within five years of the desired starting date. Knowledge of (1) microelectrode development, construction, and application and (2) use of AQUASIM 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 can also hold an appropriate visa status, however, an H1B visa is not appropriate).
The appointment may be part- or full-time for one year and may be renewed for up to two additional years upon recommendation of EPA contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational background and experience. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee.
Funding may be made available to reimburse a research participant's travel expenses to present the results of his/her research at scientific conferences. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for pre-appointment visits, relocation costs, tuition or fees, or a participant's health insurance.
Technical Questions:
The contact for this project is Dr. David G. Wahman. He can be contacted at wahman.david@epa.gov.
How to Apply:
The Research Participation Program for EPA-ORD is administered by the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education. Please reference Project # EPA-ORD/NRMRL-WSWRD-2013-01 when calling or writing for information. For additional information and application materials contact: Research Participation Program/EPA-ORD, 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 www.orau.gov/orise/edu/EPA/app-gugrgpd.pdf.