USDA-FS Invasive Plant Ecology Field Fellowship
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 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.
Forest Service Research and Development (R&D) is at the forefront of science to improve the health and use of our Nation's forests and grasslands. The Pacific Northwest Research Station is one of five geographically based research stations within the US Forest Service.
Research Project: The fellow will collaborate with scientists and land managers conducting field research about plant invasions in forests. This fellowship will focus on field sampling for projects investigating plant invasive in forests and other research projects involving vegetation sampling. Under the guidance of a mentor. the fellow will be provided a unique opportunity to measure vegetation in the field while also learning about the scientific process and field sampling. The fellowship will take place in the Siuslaw, Colville, and Willamette National Forest. The fellowship is based out of Corvallis, OR. This fellowship is primarily field research and will require travel. The fellow should be comfortable staying in hotels, being in remote locations all day, and possibly camping. Travel costs will be covered through post-travel reimbursement of lodging and/or per diem (fixed daily rate).
Learning Objectives: The primary areas of learning covered in these projects that the fellow will gain experience in include restoration, disturbance, invasion, fire, and vegetation ecology, botany, and natural resource management.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Becky Kerns (becky.kerns@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for three 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 range is $3,000 - $4,000 monthly.
Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) 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.
The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years or be currently pursuing.
Preferred skills:
- Experience conducting ecological field research in forested or rangeland ecosystems
- An understanding of or willingness to learn local Pacific Northwest flora and land management practices
- Ability to be on uneven, remote terrain in potentially adverse weather for multiple days at a time
- Experience in field-based experimental design and statistical analysis
- Understanding of ecology, fire and invasion ecology, disturbance ecology and understanding of ecological principles, methods, including forest vegetation treatments (prescribed fire, thinning, invasive plant treatments)
- Organizational skills
- Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
- Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 months or currently pursuing.
- Discipline(s):
- Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).
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