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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.  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: A research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service's (USFS) Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS), located in either Boulder, Denver, or Fort Collins, Colorado (https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/rmrs).

The Front Range Urban Field Station is is a collaborative research and practice group rooted in place-based research throughout the Colorado Front Range. It facilitates opportunities to explore connections between people and nature in semi-arid cities, mountain towns, and developing regions. The station represents part of an active and highly-connected local, regional, and national network of public, non-profit, and private sector partners. Science producers and users come together to define research questions, integrate data, and co-produce shared stewardship solutions to issues in urban social and ecological systems, from urban cores to the wildland-urban interface (WUI). 

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 fellowship program brings together scholars, managers, and NGOs across the Colorado Front Range to address urban sustainability issues. Current research projects can be found on the Urban Field Station website. Topics are broad, but under the guidance of the mentor, the research might include aspects of the following: 

• Effects of extreme heat and climate change on communities and the role of vegetation in mitigating those effects
• Values of ecosystem services and nature's role in local economies
• Defining equitable outcomes for access to nature
• Building social networks for environmental stewardship, and
• The role of art and humanities in understanding the natural world. 

Learning Objectives: A key feature of the fellowship program is the integration of the fellow's science with the needs of local community partners. Fellows will identify a major topic of interest, but final selection of the research will be decided jointly with the fellow and a local community partner. The fellow and the partner will be paired for the length of the fellowship to accomplish mutually beneficial goals. 

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Travis Warziniack (travis.w.warziniack@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

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

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

Level of Participation: The appointment is part time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. 

Citizenship Requirements: 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.

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 master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (11 )
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (30 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age