To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.

A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcript(s) – For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Click here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, relevant experiences, and publication list
• Two educational or professional recommendations. 

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

Connect with ORISE...on the GO!  Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!”

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USGS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) located in Tacoma, Washington.

The USGS mission is to monitor, analyze, and predict current and evolving dynamics of complex human and natural Earth-system interactions and to deliver actionable intelligence at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers. As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides science about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. 

Research Project: The USGS and EPA Region 10 have a growing partnership to address a relatively recent amendment to the Clean Water Act, Amendment 123, with directs the US EPA to develop a geographically based program aimed at monitoring and reducing Toxics in the Columbia River Basin (https://www.epa.gov/columbiariver/epas-role-protecting-basin#crbrp).  This new program seeks to design and implement a long-term monitoring program across the Columbia River Basin, focused on Toxics in fish, sediment and water, that utilizes both historical data and current, on-the-ground activities by many member organizations.  The Draft Columbia River Basin Toxics Monitoring Strategy has 2-yr, 5-yr, and 20-yr goals, a high degree of local support, and several early activities identified that the USGS is leading implementation of.     

The primary activity for this initial, summertime, opportunity is to consolidate, review, summarize and begin analysis of the historical toxics monitoring data in fish, sediment and water of the Columbia River Basin.  Multiple Datasets currently exist that need review, consolidation, summary and early analysis of, under guidance with the Principal Investigators involved.  Additional learning opportunities may also include; collecting or processing samples for shipment to analytical laboratories, planning the collection and processing of fish and fish tissue samples for analysis at an analytical lab, and being a part of other projects in the Washington Water Science Center, such as the Stormwater Action Monitoring stream surveys, or the Upper Columbia River sand and slag movement study.

Learning Objectives: You will gain exposure and familiarity with freshwater toxics monitoring information, methods, approaches, regional staff and best management practices.  You will learn current approaches for managing pollution data and decision frameworks for how to prioritize chemical exposures and strategies on which stories to tell from the data and why.  You will also be exposed to a variety of field approaches, SOPs, and techniques related to monitored toxics in freshwater systems and stream and river ecology. 

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Patrick Moran (pwmoran@usgs.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s). 

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: July 1, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 10 weeks, but may be renewed upon recommendation of DOI and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is full time.

Participant Stipend: Stipend rates may vary based on numerous factors, including opportunity, location, education, and experience. If you are interviewed, you can inquire about the exact stipend rate at that time and if selected, your appointment offer will include the monthly stipend rate.

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 USGS. Participants do not become employees of USGS, 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: If you have questions about the application process please email USGS@orau.org  and include the reference code for this opportunity.

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a bachelor's or master's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past four years, or anticipated to be received by 6/1/2029.

• Degree: Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree received within the last 48 months or anticipated to be received by 6/1/2029 12:00:00 AM.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (29 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (51 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )