USDA FS Streamflow Permanence Research Fellowship

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USDA Forest Service Office/Lab and Location: Two fellowship opportunities are available with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (FS) within the Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS). 

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: The fellows in these appointments will be involved in our team’s flow permanence project. Their learning will involve the full cycle of research: starting with navigating in the field to collect observations using the FLOw PERmanence (FLOwPER) app, then conducting research on quality control (QC) for archiving of those data and input of data to analytical models. QC includes anomaly detections, geospatial processing and analyses using ArcGIS pro. Depending on interest and availability, fellows may also have the opportunity to learn R and Python software for data analysis and modeling.

Learning Objectives: Over the course of the fellowship, the fellows will gain experience with field data collecting with the FLOwPER application, using mobile GIS, assessing local geomorphic conditions, and coordinating activities with professional field staff from the local national forest.  

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Jonathan Burnett (jonathan.burnett@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: July 2024.  Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for 9 weeks, but may be extended upon recommendation of USFS 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. 

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens 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 USFS. 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.

Qualifications

The qualified applicants must have received, or be currently pursuing a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, Degree must have been received within the past 3 years.