USFS Fellowship for Predicting Timber Production Through Imagery Analysis
*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 (USFS), Southern Research Station located in Knoxville, Tennessee. This opportunity will be remote.
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 project involves the use of imagery to gather information from primary wood processing facilities and their woodyard areas. Guided by the mentor, the fellow will digitize and collect selected area measurements across the southern region, which will later be used, along with other mill and county data, in an econometric model to evaluate potential to predict expected level of timber consumption given observed characteristics.
Learning Objectives: The fellow will participate in the data collection phase, and will collaborate in the econometric model's development, evaluation and analysis phases as well. Based on interest, the fellow might also be involved in the publication process, collaborating in manuscript writing and preparation as well as in results delivery, attending one or more professional meeting to present research results.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Consuelo Brandeis (consuelo.brandeis@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 5, 2023. 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 (20 hours per week), or full-time, and is negotiable based on the selected fellow's availability.
Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience. The current stipend for this opportunity is within the range of $4,760 - $4,950 per month.
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.SRS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields.