USGS Strategies to Support Energy Development, Invasive Species Control, and Resilient Rangelands

Organization

U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI)

Reference Code

DOI-USGS-2026-67

How To Apply

To submit your application, scroll to the bottom of this opportunity and click APPLY.

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.
• A copy of an abstract or reprint of an article
  
  

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

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Application Deadline

8/24/2026 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

Description

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling-basis.
  
  

USGS Office/Lab and Location: A research opportunity is currently available with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) located in Flagstaff, Arizona. This opportunity may also be remote.

The USGS mission is to monitor, analyze, and predict current and evolving dynamics of complex human and natural Earth-system interactions and to deliver actionable intelligence at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers. As the Nation's largest water, earth, and biological science and civilian mapping agency, USGS collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides science about natural resource conditions, issues, and problems.

Research Project: You will train with the USGS Southwest Biological Science Center, which provides sound science, specialized expertise, and objective and timely tools to Federal and State agencies and the public to inform land management decision-making, and support thriving landscapes for the Southwest’s abundant natural resources and vast public lands. This research helps those who manage, conserve, and rehabilitate rivers and arid regions of the nation. Read more: https://www.usgs.gov/centers/southwest-biological-science-center

A Ph.D. degreed participant is sought to gain experience with research aimed at strategies that support energy development, reduce invasive species, and help maintain productive and resilient rangelands. Rangelands make-up over 400 million acres in the U.S. and primarily occur on federally managed lands that provide multiple uses for the American public. As the need to unleash American energy continues to grow on these lands (Executive Order 14154, Secretarial Order 3418), increased focus on innovative strategies that improve the supply of energy and minerals can benefit our Nation. The activities will seek to support energy producers and land managers by understanding opportunities to improve outcomes and efficiency of energy development, including studies that: help streamline and reduce regulatory burden, understand how energy development can thrive while promoting conservation of productive lands, and find successful methods to reclaim land after energy production is complete. The provisioning of natural resources on rangelands faces a large economic and ecological threat of invasive species, including flammable non-native grasses that increase risk to public health and safety. You will train to determine the effect of invasive species on the condition of natural resources and new treatment strategies to reduce their abundance and encourage the recovery of native rangeland conditions.

You will train with a supportive science team to create actionable information for supporting decisions related to energy development, invasive species, and rangeland condition for land managers, energy producers, and ranchers by using field surveys and experiments, remote sensing, literature reviews, and meta-analysis. These approaches will be used to develop information and tools that support energy development and the conservation of rangeland natural resources. You will collaborate to publish findings with mentor in peer-reviewed scientific journals and information briefs intended for science end-users. You will meet regularly with the mentor, science team, and other project participants and present findings at meetings and conferences on what they have learned.

Learning Objectives

• Gain confidence in critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and conducting applied science to conserve and improve land condition to provision natural resources.
• Develop research into scientific journal articles and presentations that effectively communicate and interpret study findings.
• Regularly meet with other scientists, post-docs, students, and technicians associated with project to engage in a scientific community on project goals and objectives.
• Gain experience engaging land managers, energy producers, ranchers, restoration practitioners, and other science end-users and learn to enhance communication skills and perform outreach on science findings.
• Participate in lab group meetings and Science Center seminars to learn collaboration skills and gain insight into new approaches and results applicable to project.
• Attend weekly check-ins with mentor to have clear guidance, and to go over the experience and potential ways to improve future training.
  
  

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is Seth Munson ([email protected]). If you have questions about the nature of the research please contact the mentor(s).

Anticipated Appointment Start Date: November 1, 2026. Start date is flexible and will depend on a variety of factors.

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for one year, but may be renewed upon recommendation of DOI and is contingent on the availability of funds.

Level of Participation: The appointment is part time or full time participation.

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 USGS. Participants do not become employees of USGS, 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: If you have questions about the application process please email [email protected] and include the reference code for this opportunity.

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should have received a doctoral degree in one of the relevant fields. Degree must have been received within the past five years.

Preferred Skills

• Demonstrate a background in a related area, including ecology, earth science, natural resources, biology, botany, rangeland science, or similar fields.
• Research experience in southwestern U.S. rangelands and past activities to engage land management partners in these systems is preferred.
• Able to travel and be outside, which may involve navigating to field sites in backcountry terrain, inclement weather and changing field conditions.
  
  

Stipend

$82,080.00 – $102,048.00 Yearly

Point of Contact

Rachel

Eligibility Requirements">1 )

• Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
• Degree: Doctoral Degree received within the last 60 month(s).
• Discipline(s):
• Earth and Geosciences (<a href="#" data-bs-toggle="popover" tabindex="0" role="button" data-bs-title="Earth and Geosciences" data-bs-content="
  • Earth Sciences
• Environmental and Marine Sciences (1 )
  
  
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (3 )