USFS Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Livestock Rangeland Management
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A complete application package consists of:
- An application
- Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Selected candidate must provide proof of completion of the degree before the appointment can start. Proof must be sent to ORISE directly from the academic institution including graduation date and degree awarded. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation.
- A current resume/CV
- Two educational or professional recommendations
If you have questions, send an email to USForestService@orise.orau.gov. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A postdoctoral research fellowship opportunity is available with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Northwest Climate Hub, which is based in the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station. The USDA Northwest Climate Hub serves Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington by delivering science-based, region-specific technologies and practical information for climate-informed decision making. Working with partners is a key part of the Hub’s mission to create actionable science and community-focused solutions. This position will also collaborate with a team of scientists from across the PNW Research Station and land managers.
Nationwide livestock grazing is permitted on half of National Forest System (NFS) land and grazing represents one of the dominant land uses in the Western US. Climate change is intensifying the challenges of rangeland management, which requires greater coordination between managers, ranchers, and researchers. Many tools, including decision support systems (DSS), have been developed to convey the latest science-based information to support decision making by land managers in relation to sustainable livestock grazing. However with the diversity and number of tools developed, it is not always clear which are the most appropriate. To address this issue and support the mission of the Northwest Climate Hub, the participant will collaborate with Hub staff to develop a compendium of existing rangeland management tools for land managers and ranchers, particularly focusing on tools currently available for Idaho, Oregon and Washington. This compendium will include explanations of when and where to best use each tool, appropriate scale of application, if it is easily incorporated into federal land management planning and National Environmental Policy Act processes, if it includes climate change projections, and limitations of the tool. Also, the participant will assist Hub staff in developing a synthesis on the state of our understanding of climate change impacts to rangeland management specific to the Northwest Climate Hub region. This synthesis may include aspects of socioeconomics, organizational structure, and/or biophysical sciences.
The Northwest Climate Hub is staffed with a vibrant, dedicated team. With guidance from a mentor, the participant will gain experience in collaborating with USDA agencies, particularly the Forest Service, in understanding needs of land managers, assessing available tools for rangelands land managers and ranchers, as well as synthesizing scientific publications for natural resources managers, private land owners, and policy makers. The participant will learn to enhance their science communication skills with scientists and land managers. Additional information about the USDA Northwest Climate Hub is available at https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northwest.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: October/November 2020
This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and USFS. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed for an additional year upon recommendation of USFS and is contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a yearly stipend of $55,204-$68,309 depending on duty station. There is no relocation allowance. There will be money allocated for travel to conduct research, if it can be conducted safely and is possible given COVID-19 considerations. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be provided as needed. The appointment is full-time. The participant will be located in La Grande, Oregon or Wenatchee, Washington (preferred locations) along with Pacific Northwest Research Station and/or USDA Northwest Climate Hub staff. Duty stations of Corvallis, Oregon; Portland, Oregon; and Olympia, Washington may also be considered. Participants do not become employees of USDA, USFS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
For more information about the USFS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.
The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree and will reach completion by the start date of the appointment. Degree must have been received no more than five years before the appointment start date.
Preferred Skills:
- Expertise in relevant range ecology and/or social science research methods for collecting and analyzing data to develop decision support tools and/or human uses of natural resources and other wildlands and the benefits of nature and public lands to individuals and human communities.
- Ability to use statistics, simulation modeling, database development and management, spatial data, social media data, and/or field data to compile and compare tools, as well as understand the dynamics that shape how people respond to climatic events, and changes in land management policies.
- Ability to synthesize existing research and communicate it to diverse audiences.
- Ability to write science and technical publications in the field of natural resources management or the role of public lands or other protected areas in social and ecological systems.
- Familiarity with facilitation and co-production of research concepts.
- Experience working with ranchers on public lands.
- Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 9/30/2020 11:59:00 PM.
- Discipline(s):
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