USDA FS Fish and Freshwater Responses to Fire

*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 Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS)  located in Corvallis, Oregon.

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: The Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNW) serves as a next step in professional development of scientists in natural resources. The fellow will become a part of a group of highly-trained scientists and technicians in Corvallis, OR that are looking to understand effects of fire on fish and freshwater ecosystems at the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, in the Pacific Northwest, and globally. The fellow will have opportunities to develop their skills, continue their research training with a mentor, and engage in critical thinking while learning more about the effects of fire on fish and freshwaters.

Learning Objectives: With guidance from a mentor, the fellow may be involved in any or all of the following training activities: 

• Help in laboratory and field sampling related to fish and freshwaters
• Compile and summarize scientific information from peer-reviewed literature
• Curate a database that will help managers prioritize decisions that they have to make on their landscapes post-fire affecting fish and freshwater resources
• Analyze experimental data and generate tables, figures, and summaries of results
• Conduct statistical analyses, including regression-based approaches and multivariate approaches
• Present results of studies and contribute to written reports and journal articles

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Brooke Penaluna (brooke.penaluna@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: January 2025.  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 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 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 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.PNWRS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a master's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been earned within the past five years or be anticipated to be received by 1/10/2025.

Preferred skills:

• Strong organizational and computer skills, including use of excel, word, and R.
• Pay attention to detail and time management.
• Proficiency in reading scientific papers and deriving information from it.
• Proficiency in data management, analyses, and interpretation is highly desired.

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Master's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
• Overall GPA: 3.00