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Research Fellowships

Particulate Matter and Black Carbon Emissions Inventories and Measurement Techniques

EPA Office of Research and Development

EPA National Science Foundation Graduate Research Internship Program (GRIP) & Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) Opportunities

Opportunity Title:

Particulate Matter and Black Carbon Emissions Inventories and Measurement Techniques

Research Area:

Air

EPA Lab/Center/Office:

National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL)

Location:

Research Triangle Park, NC

Duration:

12 months

Brief Summary:

The intern would have the opportunity to work with EPA Office of Research and Development (ORD) researchers in Research Triangle Park, NC to complete a literature review of black carbon emissions in the Arctic Region with particular emphasis on residential heating. The intern would also have the opportunity to learn about black carbon measurements and work hands-on in the laboratory with source emissions.

Opportunity Description:

There currently exists a need to better understand the anthropogenic emissions of black carbon (BC) in the Arctic Region. There is not enough information available in the literature or emissions inventories/databases to provide a clear understanding of “fresh” BC emissions, and what information is available is incomplete. It is crucial to updating emission inventories and models that the research community gains a better understanding of the following: (a) how much of the emissions data that does exist is based on elemental carbon (EC) rather than BC, (b) how much BC is being generated and emitted in the Arctic Regions, (c) are there diurnal patterns associated with these BC emissions, and (d) what sources are the main contributors? The intern will be involved in providing a literature review to answer these and other questions in order to better understand where gaps in our current emissions inventories exist. The intern will be responsible for understanding many of the current BC measurement techniques and would further have the opportunity to assist in experimental work and data analysis.

Opportunities for Professional Development:

This internship offers the opportunity to work with knowledgeable and accomplished EPA ORD researchers to gain a better understanding of global particulate emissions as well as cutting edge measurement technologies for black carbon. In addition to knowledge gained, the intern would have the opportunity to network with researchers and policy makers and would have the option to participate in other leadership training organizations (EPA RTP Chapter of NLTO, the Networking and Leadership Training Organization) available onsite.

Point of Contact or Mentor:

Tiffany Yelverton, yelverton.tiffany@epa.gov

For more information about EPA Research Fellowship opportunities, visit: https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/research-fellowships/graduate-research-internship-program-grip-opportunities-epa