*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 Rocky Mountain Research Station located in Roanoke, Virginia.

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: This opportunity links undergraduate interns with cutting edge Virtual Reality research, in a unique partnership between the USDA Forest Service Fire Sciences Lab in Missoula, MT, and Computer Science faculty at Roanoke College, Virginia. Under this opportunity, our team is seeking two undergraduate interns to engage in projects and activities related to the development of virtual reality modules for training forest firefighters. 

Learning Objectives: Each intern will receive training, mentoring, and additional support to effectively accomplish appointment goals. Appointments will involve projects focused on specific software platforms, e.g., AFrame, Unity, Unreal Engine, etc., towards the implementation of appropriate training modules.

Mentor: The mentor for this opportunity is (russell.a.parsons@usda.gov). If you have questions about the nature of the research, please contact the mentor.

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

Appointment Length: The appointment will initially be for seven 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 part time.

Participant Stipend: The participant will receive a monthly stipend commensurate with educational level and 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. Foreign national candidates may have a mandatory in-person requirement depending on visa status.

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

Qualifications

The qualified candidate should be currently pursuing an associate's or bachelor's as a full time undergraduate student during the Spring 2025 semester in a computer, information and data science field.

Preferred skills:

• Experience in java programing, visualization and/or game engines is desirable.