USDA-FS Post-fire Forest Vegetation Dynamics Research Fellow
Organization
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Reference Code
USDA-FS-PNWRS-2026-0263
How To Apply
To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.
A Complete Application Consists Of
Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!
Application Deadline
8/28/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description
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.
The PNW Research Station’s mission is to generate and communicate knowledge to help people understand and make informed choices about natural resource management and sustainability. Research priorities include generating science to 1) mitigate risks to people, property, and forests, 2) manage for forest resilience and ecosystem services, and 3) monitor and predict land stewardship and disturbance impacts. Wenatchee Forestry Sciences Laboratory scientists conduct multidisciplinary research in the fields of dry forest restoration, fire ecology, post-fire forest management, and climate adaptation. This opportunity is with the Disturbance and Restoration Ecology (DARE) Team located at the Wenatchee Forestry Sciences Laboratory.
Research Project: You will participate in research that provides information about vegetation and coarse woody debris dynamics following wildfires and facilitates the planning and implementation of post-fire forest management strategies and activities within dry coniferous forest landscapes of the interior Pacific Northwest. You will also gain experience sharing research findings through the development of scientific publications and presentations and through direct meetings with forest management practitioners. Current DARE Team research themes include:
Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will have the opportunity to learn to: (a) conduct scientific writing and dissemination of research, (b) describe forest and fire ecology theory and field methods; and (c) apply data management and analysis skills.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is David Peterson (David.Peterson1@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year 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 $75,000 to $90,000 per year.
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 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.
Qualifications
The fellow should have received a doctoral degree in a natural resources field (preferably forestry, natural resources, plant sciences, ecology, botany, or related). Applicants holding a completed master's degree (in one of the above fields) may also be considered.
Preferred Skills And Experience Include
$75,000.00 – $90,000.00 Yearly
Point of Contact
Michele
Eligibility Requirements">5 )
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Reference Code
USDA-FS-PNWRS-2026-0263
How To Apply
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.
Connect with ORISE...on the GO! Download the new ORISE GO mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to help you stay engaged, connected, and informed during your ORISE experience and beyond!
Application Deadline
8/28/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone
Description
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
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.
The PNW Research Station’s mission is to generate and communicate knowledge to help people understand and make informed choices about natural resource management and sustainability. Research priorities include generating science to 1) mitigate risks to people, property, and forests, 2) manage for forest resilience and ecosystem services, and 3) monitor and predict land stewardship and disturbance impacts. Wenatchee Forestry Sciences Laboratory scientists conduct multidisciplinary research in the fields of dry forest restoration, fire ecology, post-fire forest management, and climate adaptation. This opportunity is with the Disturbance and Restoration Ecology (DARE) Team located at the Wenatchee Forestry Sciences Laboratory.
Research Project: You will participate in research that provides information about vegetation and coarse woody debris dynamics following wildfires and facilitates the planning and implementation of post-fire forest management strategies and activities within dry coniferous forest landscapes of the interior Pacific Northwest. You will also gain experience sharing research findings through the development of scientific publications and presentations and through direct meetings with forest management practitioners. Current DARE Team research themes include:
- Patterns and drivers of post-fire snag decomposition and woody fuels deposition;
- Post-fire vegetation recovery and succession;
- Tree growth responses to disturbances, including restoration treatments and wildfires; and
- Fuel treatment longevity and effectiveness during and after wildfires.
Learning Objectives: Under the guidance of a mentor, you will have the opportunity to learn to: (a) conduct scientific writing and dissemination of research, (b) describe forest and fire ecology theory and field methods; and (c) apply data management and analysis skills.
Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is David Peterson (David.Peterson1@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.
Anticipated Appointment Start Date: September 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.
Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year 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 $75,000 to $90,000 per year.
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 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.
Qualifications
The fellow should have received a doctoral degree in a natural resources field (preferably forestry, natural resources, plant sciences, ecology, botany, or related). Applicants holding a completed master's degree (in one of the above fields) may also be considered.
Preferred Skills And Experience Include
- Written and oral communication skills and success writing and publishing scientific reports
- Experience with forest ecology and management research including, but not limited to, silviculture, forest ecology, forest restoration, fuels management, wildland fire science, and quantitative plant community ecology.
- Experience analyzing large data sets with statistical programs such as R or SAS or geospatial programs such as ArcGIS Pro.
- Ability to complete research activities within project deadlines
- Experience with forest ecology field datasets, including forest stand structure measurements, surface fuel surveys, and understory vegetation surveys.
$75,000.00 – $90,000.00 Yearly
Point of Contact
Michele
Eligibility Requirements">5 )
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree.
- Discipline(s):
- Environmental and Marine Sciences (<a href="#" data-bs-toggle="popover" tabindex="0" role="button" data-bs-title="Environmental and Marine Sciences" data-bs-content="
- Environmental Sciences
- Forest Resources and Science
- Forestry Sciences
- Natural Resources
- Soil Science
- Life Health and Medical Sciences (4 )
- Mathematics and Statistics (2 )
- Age: Must be 18 years of age
- Mathematics and Statistics (2 )