Director of Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, and to creating solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

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The initiatives and research centers at Stanford University’s Precourt Institute for Energy fund research at Stanford with the potential to solve the toughest energy challenges from science and engineering to policy and economics. The Precourt Institute’s Explore Energy program sponsors several courses and supports Stanford students interested in energy, and its postdoctoral program enables early-career researchers to further develop their skills and knowledge. The Precourt Institute works with industry, entrepreneurs, and policymakers for the deployment of Stanford solutions, and it engages stakeholders at events like the Global Energy Forum.

The Precourt Institute for Energy is seeking a Program Director to lead its Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship Program and its Summer Undergraduate Program on Energy Research.

The Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship is a new research program at Stanford University organized by the university’s Precourt Institute for Energy in support with the TomKat Center for Sustainable Energy, Bits & Watts Initiative and StorageX Initiative. The goal of the fellowship is to bring new talent or new areas of research to Stanford. The annual budget will be about $5 million to support a community of up to 30 of the brightest minds in sustainable energy from around the world.

The program director to lead our effort to build the best postdoc energy research program in the world:

• The program director will plan and develop the program beyond its initial implementation in August 2022. The program director will work closely with Stanford faculty members to help determine research goals and work for postdoctoral scholars. The vision of the Stanford entities sponsoring the program – and the university generally on energy – is sustainable, affordable, and secure energy for all people.
• The program director will lead recruitment of exemplary candidates; create a productive community for the fellows and faculty co-hosts; nurture a globally reputation; and create a fruitful network of alumni of the Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship.
• The position requires a sound, broad understanding of energy research, from science to economics, engineering to policy. Preferably, the candidate for this position will hold an advanced degree in a relevant field. The candidate will work closely with the institute’s leadership team, especially faculty directors of the sponsoring organizations.
• The program director will enable faculty members to form strong research collaborations, working with them to identify research interests shared by two faculty members, or one faculty member and a staff scientist or engineer at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory with Stanford status as principal investigators.
• The program director will plan, manage, and lead the program from concept to full scale: continuously re-evaluating and redesigning for the program’s growth and success. The program director will create guidelines, implement processes, and follow university research and postdoctoral policies.
• The program director will manage and improve the candidate application system, create panel applicant reviews, work with Stanford’s Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, and oversee program communication and marketing.
• The program director will engage faculty in energy research across all Stanford schools, as well as SLAC Pi-status researchers in energy. The program director will work with the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, of which the four sponsoring organizations are part, to connect the program with the new school.
• This position will work with the Precourt Institute director to establish objectives and key results; aid the development plan for funding; engage with top-tier energy research universities around the world; and plan meetings and networking opportunities to build a Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship community.
• The program director will create opportunities to present research and support placement of fellows. The program director will create and promote a high-touch, credible program among Stanford faculty and PhD students around the world.
• The program director will oversee or supervise staff in the development and implementation of the program.

* – The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Principal areas of focus for the Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship Program include:

• Leadership
  • Build a program that helps create sustainable, affordable, and secure energy for all
  • Build the best postdoc energy research program in the world
  • Build a Stanford Energy fellows community
• Faculty Engagement
  • Work with faculty members and SLAC researchers with PI status to identify research interests and understand expectations
  • Fulfill those expectations
• Fellows Community Building
  • Provide network opportunities for fellows
  • Promote opportunities for fellows to present research findings
  • Build an alumni network
• Program Management
  • Manage application processes, panel meetings, interviews, etc.
  • Shepherd fellows’ placement in their desired next positions, such as tenure-track faculty appointments or as researchers in national labs
• Communication and Outreach
  • Plan, analyze and oversee a marketing/communication strategy, branding, and outreach to Stanford faculty and top-tier energy research universities around the world
  • Strategize to promote key advances in fellows’ research The Precourt Institute for Energy’s Summer Undergraduate Program on Energy Research (SUPER) internships provide undergraduates with opportunities to work on faculty-mentored, individualized energy research. The program is designed to inspire students to consider energy as a field of study at Stanford and to prepare them to engage as professionals in solving this real-world challenge.

The program director will also lead this program to:

• Recruit faculty to participate in the SUPER program
• Work with faculty on student selection process
• Support recruitment of guest speakers from industry
• Hold regular casual gatherings (e.g., coffee breaks) with students
• Manage student concerns and matters serving as an advisor
• Coordinate with faculty as needed for endorsements

The ideal candidate will have the ability to work well with faculty, engage with our postdoctoral fellows and undergraduates, and build a thriving community.

To be successful in this position, you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree and eight years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to influence and motivate constituencies which could span multiple organizational boundaries.
• Demonstrated excellent planning, organizational and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound business decisions using good business judgment and innovative and creative problem-solving.
• Demonstrated ability to manage financial, organizational and staff resources.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills with the ability to cultivate professional and business partnerships.
• Relevant subject matter expertise.

* – Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

How to Apply

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Stanford welcomes applications from all who would bring additional dimensions to the University’s research, teaching and clinical missions.