Summer Postgraduate Opportunity in Quantitative Ecology & Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment
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. Selected candidate must provide proof of completion of the degree before the appointment can start. Proof must be sent to ORISE directly from the academic institution including graduation date and degree awarded. All transcripts must be in English or include an official English translation. Click Here for detailed information about acceptable transcripts.
- A current resume/CV
- Two references – While two references are requested, applications will be considered without reference information. It is preferred that a complete application package contains a minimum of one reference.
If you have questions, send an email to USForestService@orise.orau.gov. Please include the reference code for this opportunity in your email.
A summer postgraduate research opportunity in quantitative ecology and climate change vulnerability assessment is available to join Dr.’s Becky Kerns' and John Kim’s research group with Corvallis Forestry Sciences Laboratory, part of the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS). PNWRS conducts research that serves the forest land managers and society, and advances science and management goals. The participant will perform, under mentorship of experts, analysis of past and future projected climate datasets for several national forests in the Pacific Northwest. The participant will also manipulate, summarize and analyze output from a complex vegetation for the same area; produce charts and maps for publication; and participate in co-authoring reports and manuscripts.
Specific activities may include:
- Analyze large datasets on a Linux platform using Bash, netCDF Operators (NCO), and/or R.
- Make charts for publication in R, SigmaPlot and/or Excel.
- Make maps for publication in ArcGIS.
- Co-authorship of Forest Service general technical report (GTR) chapters.
- Opportunities to be trained and participate in designing climate data analysis.
- Opportunities to be trained and participate in designing vegetation data analysis.
The appointment is full-time for three months with an anticipated start date of June 1, 2018. Additional months may be possible depending on the availability of funding. The participant will be located with a Forest Service mentor at one of the following locations: Corvallis,OR; Portland; OR; Eureka, CA; and/or Missoula, MT.
A competitive stipend is offered. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. If the participant selects coverage under the ORISE policy, a supplement to the stipend may be provided to offset a portion of this expense. A travel allowance will be awarded to use for attending meetings.
The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, USDA, USFS, or any other office or agency. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.
This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR).
For more information about the USFS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.
Applicants must have at least a MS degree in the field of ecology, forestry, landscape ecology, geographic information systems (GIS), environmental science or any relevant earth science.
It is highly preferred that applicants have previous experience in analyzing datasets using a scripting system/language on a Linux platform; and demonstrated ability to make publication-quality charts and maps.
Preferred Skills:
- Demonstrated skills in data analysis using a scripting system/language on a Linux platform (e.g., R).
- A background in forest ecology, plant physiology, and fire ecology.
- Familiarity with using ecological model outputs.
- Familiarity with IPCC reports and scenarios.
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!
