USDA-ARS California Climate Hub Forest Science and Management Fellowship
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!
- An application
- 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.
*Applications may be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
ARS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Climate Hubs located in Davis, California.
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency with a mission to find solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans every day from field to table. ARS will deliver cutting-edge, scientific tools and innovative solutions for American farmers, producers, industry, and communities to support the nourishment and well-being of all people; sustain our nation’s agroecosystems and natural resources; and ensure the economic competitiveness and excellence of our agriculture. The vision of the agency is to provide global leadership in agricultural discoveries through scientific excellence.
The mission of the USDA Climate Hubs is to develop and deliver science-based, region-specific information and technologies, with USDA agencies and partners for agricultural, forestry and natural resource managers that support climate-informed decision-making.
Research Project: In the last decade, California has experienced large fires, drought, and insect outbreaks that have severely impacted the health and resilience of forests and shrublands across the state. These and other disturbances are a result of, or exacerbated by, climate change. In response, the California Climate Hub is working closely with federal and state agencies, the Governor of CA’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force, technical assistance providers, and academic researchers, on several distinct but interrelated efforts.
The selected fellow will focus on efforts to integrate climate science into reforestation and to support end-users’ application of science products to increasing wildfire resilience. The Fellow will collaborate closely with the Hub’s program managers and director, as well as key partners.
Specifically, the fellow will contribute to:
- Designing and delivering expert and stakeholder engagement workshops
- Synthesizing and communicating existing research to help managers and landowners respond to climate change
- Developing regionally-focused trainings on data and decision-support tools for socio ecological resilience to wildfire and climate change
Learning Objectives: This fellowship offers an excellent opportunity to contribute to efforts addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing California’s communities and ecosystems. Over the course of the fellowship, the participant will gain firsthand experience in science delivery, stakeholder engagement, and applying scientific research to management issues. The Fellow will collaborate with state and federal agency scientists and managers, academic researchers, and stakeholder groups, and can expect to gain knowledge in diverse disciplines, including ecology, climate change, and forest and fire sciences. There may be opportunities for professional development, including training and travel for field visits.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Steven Ostoja (smostoja@ucdavis.edu). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 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 renewed upon recommendation of ARS 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. The current stipend range for this opportunity is $6,400 – $7,600 per month.
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 ARS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, ARS, 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.ARS.PacificWest@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received a master's or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields.
ORISE GO
The ORISE GO mobile app helps you stay engaged, connected and informed during your ORISE experience – from application, to offer, through your appointment and even as an ORISE alum!
