USFS Landscape Conservation Postdoctoral Fellowship
USFS Office/Lab and Location: A postdoctoral research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Rocky Mountain Research Station National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation, located in Missoula, Montana.
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 Project: Under the guidance of a mentor, the participant will contribute to a Department of Defense-funded project using environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to survey for rare species on, and surrounding, military installations in the western United States.
Research activities will include:
- Implementing research on rare species relevant to western land managers,
- Discussing and coordinating research objectives with relevant resource managers
- Collaboratively analyze data and write peer-reviewed publications
Learning Objectives: Learning objectives for the participant include:
- Gain experience collaborating with land management agencies on applied conservation science
- Develop molecular laboratory and bioinformatic analysis skills
- Improve ability to design, interpret, and communicate applied ecological studies
For more information on the Rocky Mountain Research Station National Genomics Center for Wildlife and Fish Conservation, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/rmrs/ngc.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Taylor Wilcox (taylor.wilcox@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: February 6, 2023. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The 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 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, 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 to be received by May 26, 2023.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience working with diverse, non-technical partners including natural resource professionals working in state and Federal government, non-governmental organizations, and tribal governments
- Training in ecological study design and statistical analysis
- Some familiarity with molecular tools such as amplicon sequencing, population genetics, and environmental DNA sampling would be useful