USDA-FS Support of Research at the Marcell Experimental Forest
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. At least one recommendation must be submitted in order for the mentor to view your application.
All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.
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*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 Forest Service Northern Research Station (NRS) located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Grand Rapids is located among the forests, lakes, and headwater streams of the Mississippi River in rural, north-central Minnesota. The Northern Research Forestry Sciences Laboratory supports forest, ecology, aquatics, and hydrological research throughout the region, including research at the Marcell, Cutfoot, and Pike Bay Experimental Forests. The participant will report in-person to the facility up to 5 days a week, with no possibility for remote participation.
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 will support a fellow to receive hands-on experience that complements their educational and career goals. The fellows will support long-term hydrological and ecosystems studies, while helping to advance the NRS-07 mission to provide a sound scientific understanding of factors that govern forest productivity and health. The fellow will participate in basic research measurements in the field associated with the Marcell Experimental Forest (MEF) and data recording, entry, and compilation in an office. Field aspects of the opportunity involve various outdoor conditions requiring moderate exertion and traversing the landscape of the MEF. Additionally, the fellow will experientially learn about and participate in the Forest Service Research and Development environment and be exposed to day-to-day operations including troubleshooting and upkeep of research sites, instruments, and infrastructure, which provides essential knowledge of how research happens at long-running research sites.
The fellow will be exposed to both research and research operations support, which are both germane to gaining insight of routine stages of many different science support positions within research institutions, whether in a federal government research agency, academia, or the commercial sector. Importantly, fellows will have opportunities to interact with other technical staff, scientists, or cooperating partners in the field, laboratory or office associated with the NRS-07 Grand Rapids office research program that is inclusive of research on forest ecology, aquatic ecology, watershed hydrology, and soil science.
Learning Objectives: The fellow will be guided by a Forest Service professional, with mentoring by a hydrologist/project leader (supervisor of all staff within the local research unit). The fellow will:
- Gain experience with basic environmental monitoring and research operations at the MEF.
- Gain knowledge of the performance environment in field and general office settings.
- Gain familiarity with science support positions in Forest Service Research and Development.
- Learn general skills that are so fundamental that the lessons learned will provide important baseline information to any fellow who pursues a career in field-based or laboratory-based research.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Stephen Sebestyen (stephen.sebestyen@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 2025. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for five months 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. The anticipated stipend is $2,720 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. Foreign national candidates may have a mandatory in-person requirement depending on visa status.
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.NRS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received an associate's or bachelor's degree in the one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past one year, or currently pursuing.
Driving is required for aspects of the opportunity. A fellow is expected to have and carry a valid drivers license, provide evidence of being self-insured and maintain that insurance, take all required drivers trainings, and maintain a record of safe driving.
- Attention to detail
- Good interpersonal communication skills
- Licensed, qualified, and competent to safely drive passenger vehicles and pickups.
- Ability to follow and adhere to protocols
- Willingness to perform research that requires moderate physical exertion and under a range of environmental conditions
- Willing to take any required Forest Service trainings.
- Degree: Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
- Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00
- Discipline(s):
- Age: Must be 18 years of age
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