USFS Bioinformatics Specialist Research Opportunity
*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
USFS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), U.S. Forest Service (USFS) located in Washington, D.C. The applicant will be assisting a team of USFS managers, researchers, and university partners that are located across the country. Virtual/remote work will be considered for this opportunity.
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: This project is to utilize existing data concerning air quality and lichens on federal lands and develop a website with tools that can be used by federal agencies, universities, and the public to access and use the information. This project will provide a learning opportunity for the participant with these skills to collaborate with university and federal scientists working in the field of air pollution and helping to create a product that will assist in science delivery.
Learning Objectives: The learning objectives for the participant will be:
- Gain experience in the practical application of digital scientific data, display, and analysis tools,
- Participate on a team of scientists engaged in collecting, archiving, analyzing, and sharing biological information relevant to understanding air pollution, and climate change effects on natural ecosystems using lichen indicators of pollution, biodiversity, and forest health.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Linda Geiser (linda.geiser@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: April 3, 2023; start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for six months but may be extended upon recommendation of USFS and is contingent on the availability of funds.
Level of Participation: The appointment is part-time (15 hours per week).
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 USForestService@orise.orau.gov and include the reference code for this opportunity.