USDA-FS Forestry Greenhouse and Field Research for Ohia Disease Resistance Studies

Zintellect is offering a fellowship with the USDA Forest Service in Hilo, HI, focused on Ohia Disease Resistance Studies. The role involves training in plant propagation and conducting research on combating Rapid Ohia Death. The position is full-time for post-graduates, with a flexible start date in May 2025, and includes a stipend based on experience. U.S. citizenship or lawful residency is required.
• 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 Southwest Research Station (PSWRS) 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.

Research Project: The selected candidate will be trained at the US Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry in Hilo (HI) as part of the Ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) Disease Resistance Program, a research initiative focused on combating Rapid Ohia Death, a fungal disease threatening Hawaii's iconic Ohia trees. This ORISE opportunity involves training and an opportunity to learn practical skills in plant propagation, silviculture, and nursery production to generate, grow and maintain plant material needed for Rapid Ohia Death disease resistance trials. These research trials include greenhouse inoculation trials, field durability trials, and experimental restorations trials.

Learning Objectives:
• Learn about and participate in Ohia plant propagation and develop targeted studies to increase silviculture capacity.
• Learn greenhouse, nursery and field operations for developing a disease resistance program of a Hawaiian tree species.
• Aspects of field conservation restoration and out-planting studies.
• Aspects of Rapid Ohia Death plant pathology and tree disease resistance.

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Marc Hughes (marc.hughes@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: May 2025. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for four months 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 for post-graduates but can be changed to part-time for enrolled students during the academic year.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a stipend commensurate with experience.

Citizenship Requirements: This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR), 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.

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.PSWRS@orau.org and include the reference code for this opportunity.