Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research: Integrating Social and Environmental Sciences

Zintellect offers a postgraduate research internship at the U.S. EPA in Washington, DC, focusing on Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research. The role involves applying social science methods to environmental research, studying the impact of the environment on human health, and engaging with community stakeholders. Participants will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, develop expertise in various research projects, and may publish findings and present at conferences.
A postgraduate research opportunity is currently available at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Research and Development (ORD). The appointment will be served with the Immediate Office of the Assistant Administrator (IOAA) in Washington, DC.

EPA's Sustainable and Healthy Communities Research Program develops the science and technology to support EPA’s approach to a sustainable environment and to expand community stakeholders’ capabilities to consider impacts of decision alternatives. This project is to study and demonstrate the application of social science methods to environmental science research examining the relationship of the environment to human health and wellbeing at the community, state, regional, and national scales. This may include, for example, identification of social science tools and approaches to contribute to research on remediation of contaminated sites, sustainable materials management, social determinants of health, ecosystem goods and services, and community resilience. In addition, the study could also include focus on research translation, stakeholder engagement, and case studies on the application of SHC tools and resources.

The participant may develop expertise in various SHC research projects and research planning efforts, both at the program level and project levels. The participant may also gain knowledge in communicating about social science methods and practice, interacting with diverse teams, systems thinking, community-based research, stakeholder engagement, and research translation.

The participant will be part of a multidisciplinary research team including EPA scientists and other partners. The research will be in accordance with a research project plan developed by the mentor and participant. S/he will have latitude in exercising independent initiative and judgment in the research commensurate with the level of training. There may be opportunities to develop peer-reviewed publications and present research findings at national meetings.

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and EPA.