Postdoctoral Research Opportunity in Forest Ecology

A research opportunity is currently available with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Southern Research Station located in Asheville, North Carolina.

Altered disturbance regimes coupled with contemporary forest management practices and 20th century climate patterns have facilitated the growth and development of shade-tolerant, mesic tree species in a variety of forest cover types across the eastern US. Although recent broad scale analyses that describe changes in forest composition are useful in identifying trends, they do little to inform the drivers of mesophication at scales more meaningful to management (e.g., stand or watershed-scale). Without ecologically-informed forest management practices, the positive feedback loop associated with the mesophication process will continue, and in many instances, accelerate. The development of site- or condition-based management practices will depend on understanding the nuances associated with mesophication. This project will focus on using Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) data from across the eastern US to quantify and understand the fine-scale variability in mesophication in efforts to identify and prioritize portions of the landscape most at risk to mesophication and develop treatments that will most effectively and efficiently slow or reverse mesophication in forests throughout the eastern US.

The research participant will interact and collaborate with scientists and forest management professionals from within and outside the FS to develop, perform, and deliver applied landscape ecological analyses and models of forest dynamics across the eastern US. The research will include integrating and analyzing large field-based datasets, such as FIA data, with environmental datasets into predictive and/or explanatory models that explain mesophication across multiple spatial scales. Under the guidance of mentors, the participant will have opportunities to develop original research within the context of the project as well as be presented opportunities to provide input and guidance on existing research projects. The participant will have opportunities to be involved in all aspects of the project – from developing and testing hypothesis driven models to science delivery activities.

The research participant will gain an understanding of forest, landscape, and disturbance ecology in addition to gaining or improving upon analytical abilities through model development and application. The research participant will gain valuable experience in managing large and complex datasets that include datasets describing temporal changes in forest structure and composition along with large, environmental datasets. The participant may present their findings through publishing (as first author or co-author) in refereed journals or technical publications as well as through scientific presentations.

The research participant will gain an understanding of the role of government research in sustainably managing the Nation’s forests resource. The participant will be presented with daily opportunities to interact and learn from forest ecologists, biometricians, landscape ecologists, and silviculturists within the FS and partners from surrounding universities.

This research opportunity is jointly associated with the USFS Southern Research Station’s Upland Hardwood Ecology and Management Research Work Unit (RWU-4157) and the Forest Inventory and Analysis Research Work Unit (RWU-4801). The goal of RWU-4157 is to foster resilient and adaptive ecosystems in the upland hardwood region of the southern US. Scientists within RWU-4157 engage in a broad portfolio of research, including research related to the management and restoration of hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood ecosystems, wildlife and wildlife-habitat relationships, and the restoration and genetic conservation of imperiled upland tree species. The research opportunity will focus on the RWU-4157’s objective of improving the ability to manage southern upland hardwood region forests for an array of ecosystem services and predict the effects of disturbances, both natural and anthropogenic, across broad edaphoclimatic gradients to meet restoration and management goals. The participant will collaborate closely with the Forest Inventory and Analysis research work unit (RWU-4801) and be expected to sign a FIA plot confidentiality agreement.

This program, administered by ORAU through its contract with the U.S. Department of Energy to manage the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, was established through an interagency agreement between DOE and the USFS. The initial appointment is for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of USFS contingent on the availability of funds. The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. A travel allowance will also be provided, to support occasional overnight travel. Proof of health insurance is required for participation in this program. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. The appointment is full-time at USFS in the Asheville, North Carolina, area. Participants do not become employees of USFS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.

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 within five years of the appointment start date.

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.

If you have questions, send an email to USForestService@orise.orau.gov. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (USDA-USFS-2020-0108) in your email.