Monday, October 12, 2009

Internships in green chemistry for January 2010

              
Organization, Title of Internship, Location, Date(s)

Organization: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency;
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics;
Economics, Exposure, and Technology Division;
Industrial Chemistry Division;
Green Chemistry Program

Position Title:  Green Chemistry Program Intern

Location: U.S. EPA Headquarters
1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW 
Washington, DC  20460 

Date:  January 2010

(Academic) Internship Opportunity

Description of major duties and opportunities during experience

Volunteer Internships in Green Chemistry Available for January 2010.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, DC has openings for up to four college student interns to join its Green Chemistry Program during the month of January.  The position is volunteer, not paid, but offers a unique opportunity for training in green chemistry.  During December, EPA will receive nominations for the 2010 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards; during January, EPA staff and interns will read all of the nominations, write a brief review of each nomination, discuss the nominated technologies in multidisciplinary group meetings, and prepare the nominations for the judging panel convened by the American Chemical Society.  Because the work is highly technical, interns need to have a strong science background including at least one year of organic chemistry.  For general information about the program and summaries of previous nominations, visit www.epa.gov/greenchemistry.  If you have questions or would like to be considered for an internship, please send email to greenchemistry@epa.gov

Clarify whether students will be supported should they choose to receive credit for the experience

The position is a volunteer one, but the two senior PhD chemists who work in EPA’s Green Chemistry Program have worked with a number of summer and January interns previously and can provide educational support.  One of these chemists has college-level teaching experience. 

Qualifications
  • Sophomore, Junior, or Senior with strong academic record in science.
  • At least one year of organic chemistry; majors might include chemistry, biochemistry, biology, pre-med, but other majors will be considered.
  • Strong analytical abilities, ability to extend knowledge and skills to a very broad range of cutting-edge technologies related to chemistry.
  • Evidence of effectiveness working independently; demonstrated self-starter.

Other Useful skills:
  • Ability to learn quickly
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to interact well with all kinds of people
  • Understanding of and respect for diversity

Compensation
This is an unpaid internship. 

Application Materials (apply by email to greenchemistry@epa.gov)
Cover letter including a statement of interest in this internship
Resume
Transcript listing science courses and grades (does not have to be official)
Contact information (phone and email) for 2-3 references

Application Deadline and Process 
EPA is making this opportunity available to college students who are available during January (i.e., students at schools with J-terms, interim January terms, etc.).  We have up to four openings and will consider applicants as we receive them.  Students will get the most from the internship if they are at EPA for the four weeks between January 4 and January 29.  Internships with different start and end dates may be considered.

Deadline:  As appropriate for January term applications at your institution or November 13, whichever is earlier.  The Program may make an “early decision” and offer positions to exceptionally qualified candidates prior to the deadline.

Questions
Please send email to greenchemistry@epa.gov

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