Research Project Description

Sustainable Systems Model
Research Participation Program
Office of Research and Development
National Risk Management Research Laboratory
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH

EPA-ORD/NRMRL-LRPCD-2013-01

Project Description:

A postgraduate research training opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL), in Cincinnati, Ohio. This project will be served with NRMRL’s Land Remediation and Pollution Control Division (LRPCD).

Researchers of NRMRL’s LRPCD develop both innovative approaches to managing materials and waste, including energy recovery methods, and guidance to manage and clean up contaminated land and ground water. This project will support progress in sustainability by modeling and comparing traditional, as well as green alternatives, in built environment through a systems framework. 

With guidance from the mentor, the research participant may be involved in one or more of the following training opportunities:

• determining significant issues involving land use, materials management, transportation and the built environment,
• exploring the sustainability and resilience of existing communities,
• evaluating traditional and innovative sustainability metrics, and
• modeling the intended and unintended consequences of moving communities from traditional to “green” systems (e.g., green buildings and infrastructure).

An example of the proposed approach where system dynamics was used to model the global economy in switching from business as usual case to several green economy alternatives can be found at http://www.unep.org/greeneconomy/Portals/88/documents/ger/GER_13_Modelling.pdf.

Through this project, the research participant will (1) broaden their understanding of environmental sciences, (2) determine how the application of engineering and technology affect society, economy and the environment, and (3) improve their mathematical modeling skills through the application of dynamic system models. In addition, the participant will gain valuable experience in green buildings/infrastructure, as well as heavily integrated sectors such as land use, materials management, and transportation. The participant will have the opportunity to present research findings in the form of peer review journal articles, conferences, and internet publications.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have received a master’s degree in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics)within five years of the desired starting date, or completion of all requirements for the degree should be expected prior to the start date. Postgraduate students pursuing a doctoral degree in engineering or applied mathematics at an accredited U.S. college or university are also eligible to apply.

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 is full-time for one year and may be renewed upon recommendation of EPA and subject to availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate to the level of education. No funding will be made available to cover travel costs for pre-appointment visits, relocation costs, costs of tuition and fees, or a participant’s health insurance. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. The participant does not become an EPA employee.

Technical Questions:

The contact for this project is Anthony T. Zimmer. He can be contacted at zimmer.anthony@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-LRPCD-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 http://www.orau.gov/partform/EPA/EPA_Application.pdf.