Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!

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.  Click Here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV
• Two educational or professional recommendations. At least one recommendation must be submitted in order for the mentor to view your application.

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USFS Office/Lab and Location: This fellowship is available at the Forest Sciences Lab with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service's (USFS) Rocky Mountain Research Station, located in Fort Collins, Colorado. (https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/rmrs). The selected candidate will be co-located with multiple Forest Service research scientists.

At the heart of the U.S. Forest Service's mission is their purpose. Everything they do is intended to help sustain forests and grasslands for present and future generations. Why? Because their stewardship work supports nature in sustaining life. This is the purpose that drives the agency’s mission and motivates their work across the agency. It’s been there from the agency’s very beginning, and it still drives them. To advance the mission and serve their purpose, the U.S. Forest Service balances the short and long-term needs of people and nature by: working in collaboration with communities and our partners; providing access to resources and experiences that promote economic, ecological, and social vitality; connecting people to the land and one another; and delivering world-class science, technology and land management.

Research Project: The ORISE fellow will participate in communicating and applying climate adaptation related science generated by RMRS and its partners to stakeholders of the USDA Climate Northern Plains Hub. The ORISE fellow will interact with USDA Climate Hub staff to assess science needs and opportunities, communicate current RMRS research activities and application of climate adaptation, and strengthen connection between RMRS scientists and USDA Climate Hub. Within the scope of this research, the ORISE fellow will assist in the development and dissemination of a National-level synthesis related to climate change, wildfire, and dry conifer forests. The ORISE fellow will aid in the development of an outline, recruitment of pertinent authors, performing a systematic literature review, and synthesizing the information into a range of scientific dissemination products. In addition, the ORISE fellow will have the opportunity to engage in other climate change adaptation research including data collection, data analysis, and dissemination.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this fellowship, the ORISE participant will have gained workforce training in the scientific process for the fields of forestry, silviculture, and climate change adaptation strategies under the RMRS mentor. The participant will gain experience in project development, interaction with land managers and scientists, data quality assurance, data interpretation and analysis, and oral/written communication. In addition, the ability to contribute to a scientific publication will aid in the career development of the ORISE participant. 

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Michael Battaglia (michael.battaglia@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: As soon as a qualified candidate is identified; start date is flexible.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for two years but may be extended upon recommendation of USFS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full-time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The current stipend for this opportunity is equal to $6000 a month with a medical insurance stipend also provided.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE Information: 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. Participants do not become employees of USDA, USFS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE.

Questions: Please visit our Program Website. After reading, if you have additional questions about the application process please email ORISE.USFS.RMRS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (e.g. Forestry, Ecology, Fire Ecology, Natural Resources), or be currently pursuing the degree with completion before December 31, 2023. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred Skills:

• Highly Preferred qualifications -
  • Understanding of forest management, climate impacts to forests, effects of wildfire in the Interior Western US and some appreciation for the diversity of forested ecosystems in the region.
  • Experience writing and/or designing public-facing communications for a broad audience (e.g., newsletters, blogs, etc.)
  • Experience and/or coursework in reading and synthesizing scientific research (i.e., peer-reviewed articles, government reports)
  • Outstanding interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities
• Preferred qualifications
  • Demonstrated publication record
  • Research experience and knowledge in forestry and reforestation techniques, climate data analysis, and qualitative data analysis
  • Research experience and knowledge in fire ecology, climate change, and disturbance ecology
  • Practical experience working on multi-disciplinary projects and/or with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise
  • Experience facilitating stakeholder engagements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 12/31/2023 11:59:00 PM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Communications and Graphics Design (1 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (1 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (5 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (2 )