The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Gulf Ecology Division is announcing several student service contracts for recent graduates (graduated within the past 24 months or are about to graduate) with a B.S. or equivalent degree. Two contracts are currently announced and additional contracts will be announced in the near future. The contracts are for one year at $14.61 per hour with the possibility of an additional year at a slightly increased rate of pay. Work location is the Gulf Ecology Division, 1 Sabine Island Drive, Gulf Breeze, Fl 32561.

The contracts currently announced are to develop 1) molecular methods to assess environmental health of near-coastal ecosystems and 2) two-generation toxicity test guideline using Sheepshead Minnow.

Interested graduates should visit the following internet sites:

http://www.epa.gov/ged to become familiar with the Gulf Ecology Division; and

http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd#current to view the contract announcements and to determine if they qualify and how to apply. All National Health and Environmental Research Laboratory research divisions (health and ecology) post contract announcements on this site. This site should be visited at least weekly because announcements usually have a two-week period for applications to be received.

The student service contracts are a great opportunity for recent graduates to gain valuable experience in their chosen area of research. Our experience is that most students receive job offers prior to termination of their contracts.

If there are any questions concerning the student service contracts, please direct them to Ray Wilhour at wilhour.ray@epa.gov or 850-934-9213.