USDA-FS Tracking Changes in Soil Frost and Implications for Forest Operations

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education; Grand Rapids (MN); On-site; USD 20,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) invites applications for a part-time fellowship with the USDA Forest Service, Northern Research Station in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

The appointment runs 32 weeks, with a stipend of $1,750–$2,000 per month. Applicants must be pursuing or have a doctoral degree in engineering or hydrological sciences, with strong modeling and publication experience.

Qualifications

• The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (engineering or the hydrological sciences).
• Experience with cryogenic processes.
• Record of publications and presentations.
• Experience with numerical modeling.

Skills

Cryogenic processes

Publications & presentations

Numerical modeling

Education

Doctoral degree in engineering or hydrological sciences

Job description

• 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. At least one recommendation must be submitted in order for the mentor to view your application.

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. At least one recommendation must be submitted in order for the mentor to view your application.

All documents must be in English or include an official English translation.

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Application Deadline

12/4/2026 3:00:00 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

• Applications are reviewed on a rolling-basis and applications may close before the deadline.

USDA Forest Service Office/Lab and Location:

A fellowship opportunity is available with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (FS) within the Forest Service Northern Research Station (NRS) located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

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.

Research Project:

Knowledge of soil frost and consequent effects on water availability over time is important to forest management, timber operations, and water supply for rural communities. Despite overall warmer annual air temperature, northern Minnesota forest soils are freezing longer and deeper, with expected effects on ecosystem water availability related to forest cover and soil type. Cumulative effects have strong implications for forest management throughout the year, particularly during winter when considerable harvesting and removal of merchantable timber occurs, but also during summer when water availability to support tree growth depends on prior winter conditions. You will be a part of research on soil conditions that differ from past decades and consequences for forest operations and ecosystem productivity as winter weather changes in northern Minnesota. You will gain experience with and knowledge of analyzing empirical data from long-term field studies and implementing models to simulate soil frost formation under a range of scenarios. You will be mentored by a Forest Service Research Hydrologist and engage with scientists and colleagues inside and outside the USDA Forest Service.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe soil frost formation and dissipation, and the relevance to forest hydrology and landscape level water availability;


• Evaluate and interpret long-term ecosystem data sets;


• Analyze data through model development/implementation and interpretation of results.


• Apply steps to disseminate research through the preparation of a manuscript for journal publication.

Mentor:

The mentor for this opportunity is Stephen Sebestyen ([e-mail]). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: 2026.

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

Appointment Length:

The appointment will initially be for 32 weeks but may be extended upon recommendation of USDA Forest Service and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation:

The appointment is part time.

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 [e-mail] and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received or be currently pursuing a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields (engineering or the hydrological sciences).

Preferred Skills

• Experience with cryogenic processes.


• Record of publications and presentations.


• Experience with numerical modeling.

Stipend

$1,750.00 – $2,000.00 Monthly

Point of Contact

Michele

Eligibility Requirements

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only


• Degree: Doctoral Degree.


• Discipline(s):
  
  
  
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (
  
  
  • Analytical Chemistry
  
  
  • Bio-inorganic Chemistry
  
  
  • Bio-organic Chemistry
  
  
  • Biophysical Chemistry
  
  
  • Chemistry (General)
  
  
  • Environmental Chemistry
  
  
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  
  
  • Materials Sciences
  
  
  • Organic Chemistry
  
  
  • Physical Chemistry
  
  
  • Polymer Chemistry
  
  
  • Theoretical Chemistry
  
  
  
  


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