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Research Opportunity in Global Forest Monitoring Protocols

*Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
A research opportunity in global forest monitoring protocols is available with the US Forest Service (USFS), Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry (IPIF) in Hilo, Hawaii.
The Hawaii Permanent Plot Network, known as HIPPNET (www.hippnet.hawaii.edu), is a long-term ecosystem and climate monitoring project, conducting vegetation re-measurements every 5 years for monitoring ecosystem plots on Hawaii Island's windward (wet) and leeward (dry) sides. The HIPPNET forest monitoring plots are part of the Smithsonian Institution’s global forest monitoring network known as the Forest Global Earth Observatory (ForestGEO, https://forestgeo.si.edu/). The standardized protocols utilized in the HIPPNET project were developed by the Smithsonian’s Center for Tropical Forest Science (CTFS) and are the same as those used by the ForestGEO sites around the world. The HIPPNET plots provide a natural outdoor classroom for hands-on training in these global forest monitoring field techniques utilized in ForestGEO and the computer software and hardware technology currently being used.
The participant will be mentored as part of a larger field team to learn the field protocols for the vegetation measurements within the 2 permanent forest plots of HIPPNET. Field work in the 4 hectare forest plots will involve collecting information for every tree that is greater than 1 cm diameter in size and specifically will involve tree identification, tagging and marking new trees, mapping new trees into the geo-referenced database, collecting tree diameter data, collecting growth habit data, and estimating abundance of herbaceous vegetation. The 2 HIPPNET sites are within different forest types thus providing experience in both tropical wet and dry forests and the opportunity to learn the vegetation communities of these two forest types on Hawaii Island.
The participant will also gain experience in the quality assurance and quality control protocols used by HIPPNET in the field and with the larger dataset. The participant will have the opportunity to learn about how the data is analyzed to answer research questions related to forest dynamics if there is interest by the participant. The opportunity will be primarily field based and out of the USDA Forest Service – Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry office in Hilo, HI. Field work will involve hiking steep and rough terrain and standing for long durations. Field conditions can be cold, hot, wet, windy, and/or dry.
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 the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The initial appointment is full-time for two and a half to three months, but may be renewed upon recommendation of USFS contingent on the availability of funds. The selected applicant will receive a monthly stipend in the amount of $2,000 as support for their living and other expenses during this appointment. Stipend rates are determined by USFS officials, and are based on the applicant’s academic and professional background. No relocation, travel or training allowance will be provided. The participant must show proof of health and medical insurance. Health insurance can be obtained through ORISE. Participants do not become employees of USFS, DOE or the program administrator, and there are no employment-related benefits.
For more information about the USFS Research Participation Program, please visit the Program Website.
Qualifications
The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing or have received an associate's, bachelor's or master's degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within five years of the appointment start date. A degree in a field related to Ecology, Environmental Geography, Forestry, or the Biological Sciences is preferred. A basic background in the Biological Sciences, including either completed credit hours in Botany, Biology, Ecology, Environmental science or related coursework, or previous experience in the field and/or laboratory collecting biological data is strongly preferred.
This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and foreign nationals. Non-U.S. citizen applicants should refer to the Guidelines for Non-U.S. Citizens Details page of the program website for information about the valid immigration statuses that are acceptable for program participation.
If you have questions, send an email to USForestService@orise.orau.gov. Please include the reference code for this opportunity (USDA-USFS-2020-0114) in your email.