USFS Regional Threat Assessment and Management Techniques for Mature and Old Growth Forests Fellowship

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USFS Office/Lab and Location: A fellowship opportunity is available with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS) within the Forest Service Northern Research Station located in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

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 incumbent will compile a synthesis that identifies the current social and ecological threats and risks to existing old growth systems and the management of mature forests as they continue along a successional trajectory toward old growth - including disturbance-dependent systems and those threatened by housing development in the east.

The ORISE Fellow will:

• Identify potential threats and risks associated with maintaining existing old growth and the transition of mature forests to old growth.
• Enhance collaborative skills by participating as a member of a multidisciplinary team of research scientists, land managers, and natural resource specialists from federal and state agencies, universities, and non-profit organizations.
• Strengthen their research, analysis, and writing skills in spatial analysis, science synthesis, and assessments of forest assets and conditions.
• Collaborate on developing presentations and reports.

Learning Objectives: The incumbent will have the opportunity to:

• Learn how existing and emerging native and invasive plants, pathogens, and insects will impact mature and old growth forest systems across the region.
• Enhance collaborative skills by participating as a member of a multidisciplinary team of research scientists, land managers, and natural resource specialists from federal and state agencies, universities, and non-profit organizations.
• Strengthen their research, analysis, and writing skills in spatial analysis, science synthesis, and assessments of forest assets and conditions.
• Enhance their communication skills through participating in workshops and creating presentations for local and national conferences.

Mentor: The mentors for this opportunity are Christel Kern (christel.c.kern@usda.gov) and Jacob Fraser (jacob.fraser@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentors.

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

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. 

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) 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.NRS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a doctoral degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years, or anticipated to be received by 6/1/2024.

Preferred skills:

• Preference will be given to applicants with experience with Tribes and/or indigenous communities, Traditional Ecological Knowledge / Indigenous knowledge, Native American ethnobotany, qualitative data analysis and database management skills.
• Prior experience related to grassland ecology, natural resource management, and/or plant-pollinator ecology.
• An aptitude for research, oral and written scientific communication, attention to detail, and ability to research independently and as a team.