USDA-FS Scaling Canine VOC Detection CRB Biosecurity in Hawai

Organization

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA-FS-PSWRS-

10/2/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.

USDA Forest Service Office/Lab and

Location:

A fellowship opportunity is available with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (FS) within the Pacific Northwest Research Station (PNWRS) located in Hilo, Hawaii.

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 USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station’s Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry (IPIF), based in Hawai'i, leads research that supports healthy forests, resilient ecosystems, and sustainable land management across the Pacific region. IPIF focuses on issues such as invasive species, forest health, climate resilience, native habitat restoration, and community-based stewardship. More information is available at: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./ipif

This project supports a broader effort to strengthen invasive-species detection and protect Pacific Island ecosystems. You will gain hands-on experience developing and testing practical methods for identifying coconut rhinoceros beetles in materials like green waste, mulch, compost, and nursery plants. Activities may include helping collect and organize field samples, preparing materials for detection trials, helping with evaluations of trained detection dogs, and contributing to comparisons between different inspection approaches.

You will also help with field testing at partner facilities, gather feedback from stakeholders, and support the creation of clear guidance and training materials. You will also have opportunities to explore a wide range of conservation and applied research projects at USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station’s Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry, including work in forest health, invasive species, ecosystem restoration, and native habitat conservation across Hawai‘i and the Pacific.

• Detail methods for detecting coconut rhinoceros beetles in green waste, mulch, compost, nursery plants, and other high-risk materials.
• Evaluate field samples for invasive-species detection trials.
• Differentiate different inspection and screening approaches, including comparisons of their effectiveness and feasibility.
• Contribute to clear guidance documents, training materials, and recommendations for agencies and partners.
• Understand how invasive-species detection supports forest health, agricultural protection, ecosystem restoration, and conservation of culturally important resources across Hawai‘i and the Pacific.

The mentor for this opportunity is Kealohanuiopuna Kinney (kealohanuiopuna.m.kinney). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

October 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

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