The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is calling on postdoctoral fellows to apply for a position at their Office of Research and Development laboratory in Duluth, MN. Projects are focused on applications of NAMs for characterization of per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substance (PFAS).
The use of PFAS in many industries, including the synthetic turf industry, is currently topic of debate. PFAS are man-made substances that do not naturally occur in the environment and that hardly degenerate hence they are viewed as a polluted. In the synthetic turf industry, PFAS are used to improve the flow of artificial yarn through the extruder. Without PFAS applied to the rollers, the hot plastic would stick to the elements, hence slowing down the production process or even cause a build-up of plastic inside the machine.
Not dangerous
There are over 6,000 different PFAS known around the world. A survey by the EMEA Synthetic Turf Industry earlier this year, concluded that only a few yarn manufacturers use PFAS in their production process. The PFAS they used are deemed, ‘safe for use’ and ‘safe for the environment’.
The US EPA now wants to conclude the debate for once and for all and is recruiting people to investigate the matter.
Successful candidates will have interest or experience working with PFAS chemicals. For information about each of the openings, visit the linked webpages or contact the principal investigators listed below.
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Postdoctoral Positions:
- Ecological Effects of Per- and Poly-Fluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) Fellowship: https://zintellect.com/
Opportunity/Details/EPA-ORD- CCTE-GLTED-2020-08-A Contact: villeneuve.dan@epa.gov - Toxicokinetic PFAS Chemical Assessments Fellowship: https://zintellect.com/
Opportunity/Details/EPA-ORD- CCTE-GLTED-2020-11-A
Contact: blackwell.brett@epa.gov - Effects of PFAS Chemicals in Amphibians Fellowship: https://www.zintellect.com/
Opportunity/Details/EPA-ORD- CCTE-GLTED-2020-12 Contact: degitz.sigmund@epa.gov - PFAS Thyroid Toxicity Fellowship: https://www.zintellect.com/
Opportunity/Details/EPA-ORD- CCTE-GLTED-2020-13 Contact: degitz.sigmund@epa.gov
University of Wisconsin-Madison Postdoctoral Position:
- Ecotoxicology of PFAS Fellowship:
Contact: jennifer.hauxwell@aqua.wisc.edu
Application deadline is 26 October 2020