USDA-FS Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory Science Support Fellowship

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USDA Forest Service Office/Lab and Location: A fellowship opportunity is available with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (FS) within the Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) located in Missoula, Montana. Specifically, with the Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Sciences program at the Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory (Fire Lab).

The Fire Lab has been at the forefront of wildland fire research since its inception in 1960.  Our research focuses on improving fundamental understanding of wildland fire and developing tools and applications that increase the safety and effectiveness of fire, fuel, and smoke management and increase the health of our wildlands.

At the heart of the USDA 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 USDA 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 opportunity is for a current college/university student or a recent bachelor’s degree graduate.  The participant will be integrated as a fellow in the Fire, Fuel, and Smoke Science Program in the US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station.  This person will contribute to projects involving foundational wildland fire research and development.  Many projects are national and international in scope and ultimately lead to the development of systems and applications that are used by land managers and the wildland fire community.  Projects include data management, experimental support, and science delivery. The participant will have the opportunity to be a part of one or more research projects in the areas of fire behavior, fire ecology, wildfire smoke, fire management system development, or science delivery.

Learning Objectives: This opportunity will allow the participant to gain experience working for a high-exposure research facility on projects with national and international implications.  Specific learning objectives include:

• Learn about the experimental process in a federal research environment.
• Gain exposure to the diversity of skillsets required in a fire research environment.
• Gain knowledge on experimental design and equipment development.
• Expand skills working with scientific data.
• Learn different science delivery methodologies to promote research findings.

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Thomas Dzomba (thomas.dzomba@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: November 8, 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 USDA Forest Service and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is part time (20 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 USDA Forest Service. Participants do not become employees of USDA, USDA Forest Service, 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.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past one year and eight months, or anticipated to be received by 5/29/2026.

Preferred skills:

• Background in working with scientific data and basic statistics.

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree received within the last 20 months or anticipated to be received by 5/29/2026 12:00:00 AM.