USDA-FS Invasive Plant Ecology Field Fellowship

Overview

Organization: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS), Corvallis, Oregon. This opportunity is a fellowship focused on field research related to plant invasions in forests and vegetation sampling. The fellowship is field‑or‑basis with travel and potential lodging arrangements.

• Collaborate with scientists and land managers conducting field research on plant invasions in forests.
• Perform field sampling to measure vegetation and support projects involving vegetation ecology and related research.
• Work under the guidance of a mentor and learn the scientific process and field sampling techniques.
• Travel as needed for field work; stay in hotels or remote locations and possibly camp during assignments. Travel costs are covered via post-travel reimbursement of lodging and/or per diem.

Research Project: The fellow will focus on field sampling for projects investigating plant invasions in forests and other vegetation sampling activities.

Locations: Siuslaw, Colville, and Willamette National Forests; fellowship based in Corvallis, OR.

Learning Objectives: Restoration, disturbance, invasion, fire, vegetation ecology, botany, and natural resource management.

• Anticipated
  
  Start Date:
  
  May 2026 (flexible).
• Appointment Length:
  Initially three months; may be extended based on USDA Forest Service approval and funding availability.
• Level of Participation:
  Full time.

• Stipend: $3,000 – $4,000 monthly, commensurate with educational level and experience.

• Citizenship Requirements: U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) only.
• Discipline/
  
  Education:
  
  Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree received within the last five years or currently pursuing.
• Required/Preferred Background:
  Experience or willingness to conduct ecological field research in forested or rangeland ecosystems; ability to work on uneven terrain in variable weather; familiarity with or willingness to learn local Pacific Northwest flora and land management practices.
• Additional
  
  Skills:
  
  Field-based experimental design, statistical analysis; knowledge of ecology, fire and invasion ecology, disturbance ecology, and forest vegetation treatments (prescribed fire, thinning, invasive plant treatments).

• Mentor:
  Becky Kerns (becky.kerns). For questions about the research, contact the mentor.
• Program/Administration: ORISE information governs program administration; participants are not USDA/DOE employees.

Reasonable application process details are described in the original description; to maintain job-content focus, this section is not expanded here. Applicants should refer to the program’s official channels for submission and reference code.