EPA Stationary Source Emissions Measurement Fellowship

Application Deadline

7/31/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis and this posting could close before the deadline. 

EPA Office/Lab and Location: A research fellow opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Air and Radiation (OAR), Office of Clean Air Programs (OCAP). This research opportunity is with the Regulatory Assistance Division (RAD) located in Durham, North Carolina at EPA’s Research Triangle Park campus.

The mission of EPA is to protect human health and the environment. EPA works to ensure that: Americans have clean air, land and water; National efforts to reduce environmental risks are based on the best available scientific information; Federal laws protecting human health and the environment are administered and enforced fairly, effectively and as Congress intended; Environmental stewardship is integral to U.S. policies concerning natural resources, human health, economic growth, energy, transportation, agriculture, industry, and international trade, and these factors are similarly considered in establishing environmental policy; All parts of society have access to accurate information sufficient to effectively participate in managing human health and environmental risks; Contaminated lands and toxic sites are cleaned up; and chemicals in the marketplace are reviewed for safety.

RAD is responsible for a variety of activities related to the implementation of and compliance with regulations under the Clean Air Act (CAA) and American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. RAD works across a variety of stationary sources – including but not limited to:  oil and natural gas production, data center power generation, wood heaters, hazardous waste combustors, commercial sterilizers, coke ovens, and landfills, as well as the refrigeration and air-conditioning sector. The Division engages with the regulated community by providing technical expertise and guidance. 

Research Project: The selected participant will gain invaluable experience with various EPA regulatory policies and programs under the CAA (e.g., New Source Performance Standards, Acid Rain Program, Hazardous Air Pollutants, Stratospheric Ozone Protection Program) and AIM Act and how the Agency works with affected entities, regional EPA offices and states to implement and support measurement and monitoring requirements. This offers ample opportunities to build key relations within EPA and engage with different EPA programs, policies, and other technical staff. This is an excellent opportunity to gain insight into Agency operations and the functions and processes of the U.S. government.

Why this role matters:

• Real-world impact: Shape practical, cost-effective requirements that industry can implement, leading to cleaner air and healthier communities.
• See policy in action: Gain firsthand exposure to how federal policy is developed and implemented across EPA programs, regions, and states. Advance the science and policy behind emissions monitoring under the CAA and the AIM Act by learning about practical, science-based standards that protect public health and accelerate adoption of cleaner technologies.
• Grow your skills: Generate and manage datasets, while learning tools and strategies to effectively communicate about EPA’s regulatory programs. You will have opportunities to present research and project results to cross-functional EPA audiences.

The RAD team leads measurement and monitoring efforts for CAA rulemakings—making this an exciting time to learn as new technologies emerge. As an intern or fellow, you’ll build technical and data analysis skills while helping evaluate innovative air pollution measurement strategies and emerging source-monitoring technologies. Through a two-part experience—an individual research project and collaborative team-based experiences—you’ll gain hands-on learning in advancing measurement methods. Early on, you’ll explore key topics, collaborate with a mentor to design a learning project, and potentially conduct laboratory research. You’ll then continue developing your expertise by collaborating across RAD, expanding your knowledge while contributing to cutting-edge monitoring approaches.

Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of the mentor and other Agency experts, you will:

• Learn how regulations under the CAA, AIM Act, and state and local air programs work to address local air quality, and how EPA collaborates with a variety of stakeholders including affected entities and states to implement those policies and programs.
• Build data-analysis skills by reviewing and synthesizing federal and external datasets to inform environmental policy development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Understand how EPA develops and validates source measurement methods, assesses alternative measurement technologies, and incorporates monitoring into rulemakings.
• Develop and apply effective data management and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) practices for air-quality regulatory programs.
• Communicate technical, engineering, and policy findings clearly and effectively to decision-makers.

You will gain valuable experience by actively learning from the team and Agency via specific projects, which could include the following learning experiences:

• Research air emissions monitoring methods codified in CAA and state/local air quality regulations, as well as requirements in approved alternative methods.
• Develop and evaluate layered monitoring approaches for specific sectors that combine continuous monitoring, portable sensors, and periodic testing.
• Design and refine stationary-source and near-source measurement methods and monitoring procedures for EPA rulemakings, including sector applications (e.g., landfills, commercial sterilizers) and frameworks for sectors adopting new technologies (e.g., refrigeration and air-conditioning under the AIM Act).
• Advance next generation measurement approaches for industrial fugitive emissions.
• Contribute to method development and performance evaluations (accuracy, precision, detection limits, robustness).
• Evaluate alternative measurement technologies and establish performance metrics for equivalency determinations.
• Evaluate emerging measurement technologies and research new analytical techniques for pollutants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

You will learn how RAD operates and engages with stakeholders across multiple venues, gaining broad exposure to environmental policies, programs, and related issues. This is a unique opportunity to gain knowledge about the role of RAD and collaborate with diverse stakeholders while gaining high-level exposure to and involvement in environmental programs and issues.

Mentor(s): The mentor for this opportunity is Eben Thoma (Thoma.Eben@epa.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 2026. All start dates are flexible and vary depending on numerous factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year and may be renewed three to four additional years upon EPA recommendation and subject to availability of funding.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The anticipated stipend range is $52,693 - $77,983 annually.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

EPA Security Clearance: Completion of a successful background investigation by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is required for an applicant to be on-boarded at EPA.

ORISE Information: This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA. Participants do not become employees of EPA, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

ORISE offers all ORISE EPA graduate students and Postdocs a free 5 year membership to the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA).

The successful applicant(s) will be required to comply with Environmental, Safety and Health (ES&H) requirements of the hosting facility, including but not limited to, COVID-19 requirements (e.g. facial covering, physical distancing, testing, vaccination).

Questions: If you have additional questions about the application process please email ORISE.EPA.Other@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years, or anticipated to be received by 8/3/2026.

Preferred skills:

• Relevant coursework, experience, and a strong interest in data management, data solutions, and data analysis
• Relevant coursework, experience, and a strong interest in chemical analysis 
• Superior writing skills and effective communication of information for technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to research independently.
• Enjoys operating in a team environment.

Stipend

$52,693.00 – $77,983.00 Yearly

Point of Contact

Ashley

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 8/3/2026 12:00:00 AM.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.60