The Mid-Continent Ecology Division of the National Health and Environmental Effects Research
Laboratory of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recruiting for four post-doctoral
positions at our laboratory.  These are term appointments, full-time, not-to-exceed three years. 
Our laboratory is located in Duluth, Minnesota and has over 90 Federal scientists including
ecologists, toxicologists, biologists, and chemists focusing on research issues in ecotoxicology
and freshwater ecology that will help reduce the scientific uncertainties in ecological risk
assessments and environmental monitoring.  The position descriptions for the term appointments
are attached below.  Instructions on how to apply for these positions are as follows:

Please send your curriculum vitae (CV), letter of recommendation from your senior research
advisor or other comparable official, a letter indicating your research interest, and the
geographical location(s) that you prefer to: Ms. Karen Dean, ATTN: Post-doctoral Recruitment,
US EPA, NHEERL (MD-85), RTP, NC 27711.  This information should be received no later
than April 30, 1998.  To obtain specific information on the scientific research projects proposed
for all of the NHEERL post-doctoral positions, you may access the NHEERL Internet site at:
http://www.epa.gov/nheerl/.


NHEERL POST DOCTORAL POSITIONS
Ecology Research
Position No: MED-1
This position is located in Duluth, MN
Description of Position:
The Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED) is seeking a post-doctoral candidate to develop a
monitoring strategy for amphibian metapopulations within a defined region.  Recent advances in
the field of metapopulation analysis suggest that spatial patterns in metapopulations can be used
to infer population dynamics.  This knowledge will be applied to develop a cost-and time-effective
monitoring strategy for amphibian populations under the Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment Program (EMAP). 
The monitoring strategy should be probability-based, and should rely on knowledge of habitat
requirements of selected amphibian populations, coupled with GIS-derived indicators of suitable
habitat.  The monitoring strategy will be tested regionally within watersheds surrounding the
western arm of Lake Superior, and then potentially nationwide at selected EMAP index sites. 
Application of a monitoring scheme across the nationwide network will be designed to test for
trends in amphibian populations in relatively unimpacted sites, and to examine variation in trends
in relation to UV-B exposure levels which will be measured at these sites.
The preferred candidate will possess a Ph.D. in ecology or aquatic biology or a closely related
fields and expertise in metapopulation dynamics.  Additional skills desired include a knowledge of
amphibian ecology, population dynamics, physiology,  life-history traits, habitat requirements,
amphibian sampling techniques, and potential UV-B effects.  The ability to use geographic
information systems (GIS) to define suitable habitats would be helpful; however, on-site GIS
support will be available.  
This is a three-year excepted service appointment with a salary range of $31,897-$60,135,
commensurate with qualifications.  The selected candidate will be eligible for a full benefits
package, including relocation expenses, health insurance, life insurance, retirement, vacation and
sick leave.
To be considered for this position, please send your curriculum vitae (CV), letter of
recommendation from your senior research advisor or other comparable official, a letter indicating
your research interest, and the geographical location(s) that you prefer to: Ms. Karen Dean,
ATTN: Post-doc Recruitment, US EPA, NHEERL (MD-85), RTP, NC 27711.  This information
should be received no later than April 30, 1998.  EPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer


NHEERL POST DOCTORAL POSITIONS
Ecology Research
Position No :  MED 2
This position is located in Duluth, MN
Description of Position:
The Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED) is seeking a post-doctoral candidate to design and
conduct studies to evaluate the effects of ultraviolet (UV) light on aquatic and terrestrial
environments.  These effects include not only the direct effects of UV exposure, but just as
importantly the interaction of UV light with chemical contaminants and other environmental
stressors.  Assessing the environmental risks posed by these effects requires a thorough
understanding of both the mechanisms by which these effects are produced, and factors that affect
UV dosimetry (e.g., spatial and temporal variations in UV intensity and spectral qualities,
characteristics and biology of the system/species under consideration).
The preferred candidate will possess a Ph.D. in toxicology or photobiology and an in-depth
understanding of the environmental significance of ultraviolet light, techniques to collect and
interpret information on UV exposure, and biological mechanisms by which UV light interacts
with living organisms both directly, and indirectly through chemical activation/modification
pathways.  The ability to conceptualize critical hypotheses, then test these hypotheses in
laboratory and field experiments is critical.  Incumbent should serve as topical expert on UV,
collaborating with other researchers on a variety of projects involving UV light. 
This is a three-year excepted service appointment with a salary range of $31,897-$60,135,
commensurate with qualifications.  The selected candidate will be eligible for a full benefits
package, including relocation expenses, health insurance, life insurance, retirement, vacation and
sick leave.
To be considered for this position, please send your curriculum vitae (CV), letter of
recommendation from your senior research advisor or other comparable official, a letter indicating
your research interest, and the geographical location(s) that you prefer to: Ms. Karen Dean,
ATTN: Post-doc Recruitment, US EPA, NHEERL (MD-85), RTP, NC 27711.  This information
should be received no later than April 30, 1998.  EPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer


NHEERL POST DOCTORAL POSITIONS
Ecology Research
Position No: MED-3
This position is located in Duluth, MN
Description of Position:
The Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED) is seeking a post-doctoral candidate in the field of
landscape ecology with skills in physical geography, watershed characterization/classification,
watershed diagnostics (linking aquatic community-based indicators of impairment with
anthropogenic stressors related to land-use activities), and multivariate analysis.  MED is
currently conducting a comparative watershed project focused on the western arm of Lake
Superior to investigate the simple and interactive effects of hydrogeomorphic region, inland
wetland coverage, and forest fragmentation on instream hydrology, water quality, and aquatic
periphyton, macroinvertebrate, and fish communities.  This project has been designed to test a
conceptual model of watershed sensitivity/resilience and to serve as a basis for improved
watershed classification in ecological risk assessments.  MED is also supporting Environmental
Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP) research and sampling throughout the Northern
Lakes and Forests (NLF) Ecoregion (which includes the western arm of Lake Superior) via a
Regional EMAP project coordinated by EPA Region V. 
This position would support extrapolation of our conceptual models of watershed vulnerability
and improved watershed classification techniques to the larger NLF ecoregion.
The preferred candidate will possess a Ph.D. in ecology or aquatic biology, or a closely related
field and be experienced in geographical information system (GIS) analysis, particularly Arc/Info,
and remote sensing techniques for landscape characterization.
This is a three-year excepted service appointment with a salary range of $31,897-$60,135,
commensurate with qualifications.  The selected candidate will be eligible for a full benefits
package, including relocation expenses, health insurance, life insurance, retirement, vacation and
sick leave.
To be considered for this position, please send your curriculum vitae (CV), letter of
recommendation from your senior research advisor or other comparable official, a letter indicating
your research interest, and the geographical location(s) that you prefer to: Ms. Karen Dean,
ATTN: Post-doc Recruitment, US EPA, NHEERL (MD-85), RTP, NC 27711.  This information
should be received no later than April 30, 1998.  EPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer


NHEERL POST DOCTORAL POSITIONS
Ecology Research
Position No: MED-4
This position is located in Duluth, MN
Description of Position:
The Mid-Continent Ecology Division (MED) is seeking a post-doctoral candidate with expertise
in spatially explicit population modelling to develop models of fish populations applicable to
issues surrounding the combined effects of spatially heterogeneous chemical and non-chemical
stressors.  These models will then be applied to specific questions, such as effects of localized
sediment contamination (i.e. hot spots) or translocation (e.g. dredging, hydrologic events),
patterns and variability in contaminant body burdens, degradation of food resources (e.g. benthic
invertebrates), and influence of habitat alteration and fragmentation on mobile fish populations
and communities.  This research will support ongoing efforts in the assessment and management
of contaminated sediments and increase the understanding of non-chemical effects of
human-induced stresses on natural systems. 
The preferred candidate will possess a Ph.D. in ecology aquatic biology or fisheries biology, or a
closely related field.  Relevant skills and interests include aquatic ecology and toxicology, spatially
explicit population and community modelling, and spatial data analyses.  Depending on the
candidate's interests, involvement in laboratory or field research related to the modelling efforts is
possible.
This is a three-year excepted service appointment with a salary range of $31,897-$60,135,
commensurate with qualifications.  The selected candidate will be eligible for a full benefits
package, including relocation expenses, health insurance, life insurance, retirement, vacation and
sick leave.
To be considered for this position, please send your curriculum vitae (CV), letter of
recommendation from your senior research advisor or other comparable official, a letter indicating
your research interest, and the geographical location(s) that you prefer to: Ms. Karen Dean,
ATTN: Post-doc Recruitment, US EPA, NHEERL (MD-85), RTP, NC 27711.  This information
should be received no later than April 30, 1998.  EPA is an Equal Opportunity Employer