USFS Postdoctoral Fellowship in Biodiversity and Climate Resilience

Organization
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Reference Code
USDA-USFS-2022-0235
How to Apply

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A complete application package 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
  • Two educational or professional recommendations. Applications need at least one recommendation submitted in order to be viewed by the mentor.

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

Application Deadline
6/23/2022 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USFS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is available at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS), located in Placerville, California. 

At the heart of the U.S. 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 U.S. 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 ProjectThe project spans three scales. At the largest scale, the selected fellow will be collaborating with a team of scientists to develop metrics of biodiversity for the purposes of informing land management planning and restoration across large landscapes within the Sierra Nevada. At the smallest scale, the fellow will be collaborating with another team of scientists to design a monitoring system for upland ecosystems (terrestrial and aquatic) across the Lake Tahoe basin, as well as within sentinel watersheds with the intention of developing a reliable and informative system of environmental monitoring to inform management and enhance conservation in a changing climate. The intermediate scale is the central Sierra, where the research at the Sierra-wide scale and basin scale can be integrated as part of the ongoing research of the Tahoe Central Sierra Initiative. The fellow will collaborate with others to produce a proposed monitoring design for the Lake Tahoe basin, and provide support in developing metrics of biodiversity across the Sierra Nevada. 

Learning ObjectivesAs a result of this training, the participant will improve their skills in large-scale interdisciplinary environmental sampling and monitoring design, the development of metrics as environmental standards to inform management and policy, and the application of metrics as environmental indicators across large geographic areas to inform and motivate management and policy.   

MentorThe mentor for this opportunity is Pat Manley (pat.manley@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: June 2022.  Start date is flexible and negotiable, and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment LengthThe appointment will initially be for two years, but may be extended upon recommendation of USFS and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of ParticipationThe appointment is full-time.

Participant StipendThe participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and experience.

Citizenship RequirementsThis opportunity is available to U.S. citizens only.

ORISE InformationThis 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 USFS. Participants do not become employees of USDA, USFS, 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 USForestService@orise.orau.gov and include the reference code for this opportunity. 

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields, or be currently pursuing the degree with completion by July 1, 2022.

Preferred skills:

  • Experience in sampling wildlife species and communities, sampling forest vegetation, analyzing wildlife survey and wildland vegetation data, statistical expertise in occupancy analysis and power analysis 
  • Data management skills 
  • Strong team member and leadership skills, ability to work well with others and to work independently
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
Eligibility Requirements
  • Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
  • Degree: Doctoral Degree.
  • Discipline(s):
    • Environmental and Marine Sciences (6 )
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