The host research center within EPA is responsible for developing new computational tools and providing quantitative analysis for improving environmental risk assessments and regulatory decisions pertaining to chemical safety and sustainability. This research project aims to develop computational methods to predict the safety of chemicals using high-throughput transcriptomics and imaging-based phenotypic profiling data across multiple cell lines and animal models. The tools to be used include novel transcriptomic data generated within EPA, publicly available databases of transcriptomic signatures and pathways, and outputs of various predictive models of chemical action. The project integrates bioinformatics, data science, software engineering, applied statistics, and predictive mathematical modeling.
The research participant may develop novel bioinformatics and biostatistics applications to analyze transcriptomics and high-content imaging data streams relevant to toxicological testing. Research activities may include: 1) developing a data science infrastructure to identify chemical-responsive genes and pathways, 2) curating and managing large-scale heterogeneous chemical safety screening data, 3) evaluating latent variable methods to infer the predominant signals of interest in high-dimensional data with complex correlation structures, and/or 4) applying machine-learning methods to infer molecular impacts of chemical exposure. The research participant may author or co-author on peer-reviewed publications, and will present at local and national meetings. The participant will be a member of a multi-disciplinary research team.
This is a research training appointment wherein the participant will gain education and training in the general areas of bioinformatics, data science, transcriptomics, computational toxicology, and mathematical modeling in preparation for future career opportunities across government, industry, and academic sectors.
The qualified candidate should have received a master's degree in one of the relevant fields (see full list on Zintellect posting), or be currently pursuing the degree with completion by the appointment start date. Degree must have been received within the past five years.
Preferred skills:
+ Strong written, oral and electronic communication skills
+ Proficiency in developing data science applications with R and/or Python, in the use of MySQL and NoSQL database solutions
+ Experience in bioinformatics
Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA. Due to current security requirements, this position is open to U.S. Citizens only.
Applicants MUST apply through the Zintellect site: www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/EPA-ORD-CCTE-BCTD-2021-02