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, with priority given to applications received by March 24.

USFS Office/Lab and Location: A fellowship opportunity is available with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS) within the Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS located in Missoula, Montana.

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.

This opportunity is with the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory in Missoula, Montana. The Program conducts national and international cutting-edge work in wildland fire research. The Program’s scientists, technicians, and support staff continue a 60+ year legacy of proactively conducting the research we need tomorrow and into the future. By improving  fundamental understanding of wildland fire and developing tools and applications, the Fire Sciences Laboratory's research increases the safety and effectiveness of fire, fuel, and smoke management and helps increase the health of our wildlands.

Research Project: This research opportunity will support projects to increase understanding of fire-caused small tree mortality to foster successful prescribed burning and identify burning considerations to meet tree mortality-related objectives. Fuel treatments and prescribed burning are increasingly used to reduce the risk of high intensity fires and to restore ecosystems dependent on fire. These treatments can impact several ecosystem components, including vegetation and fuels. Research is needed to better understand how different treatments affect plant responses, fuel treatment longevity, and the ability of trees to survive subsequent disturbances and climatic stress. The specific objectives are:

• Investigate how climate influences post-fire mortality in small trees;
• Develop fire resistance guidelines for small trees;
• Investigate how fire resistance changes with phenology to influence post-fire tree mortality; and
• Develop predictive mortality models that incorporate drought and season of burn in fire effects decision support systems

The fellow will collaborate with a field crew in field data collection and contribute to data management, sample processing, data analysis, and manuscript writing. Field data collection will involve assessing fire effects, measuring trees, and collecting general forest stand information across sites in Montana, Idaho, eastern Washington, and potentially other areas. Lab-based opportunities over the winter will involve learning and applying dendrochronological methods to samples collected over the summer and gaining experience in data management and analysis. This opportunity requires long days spent outside in sometimes hot, cold, or wet conditions with a team of 2-3 people. The experience is a combination of camping (30-50%) and day trips from Missoula, MT.  

Learning Objectives: As a result of this training, the participant will improve their knowledge and skills related to forest ecology, forestry, dendroecology, data management, and applied fire ecology and fuels management.

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Sharon Hood (sharon.hood@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: April 1, 2024. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year and six months, 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. This stipend is $50,000 - $60,000/year depending on experience, plus health insurance.

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 be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's in the one of the relevant fields (e.g. forestry, ecology and/or environmental science). Degree must have been received within the past five years or is anticipated to be received by 5/17/2024.

Preferred skills:

• A background in forestry, ecology and/or environmental science with an interest in applied ecology and natural resource management.
• The ideal candidate will have experience conducting field research for ecological data collection.
• A familiarity with forestry and fire effects field methods, crew leader experience, and data management.

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or anticipated to be received by 5/17/2024 12:00:00 AM.
• Overall GPA: 3.20
• Discipline(s):
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (5 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (6 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age
• Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).