White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Clean Energy Transition Fellowship

As laid out in President Biden’s letter to OSTP Director Dr. Eric Lander, science and technology is at the core of so many of the country’s most pressing issues. This is especially relevant for the transition to a clean and equitable energy system, and science and technology are essential to achieving the President’s goal of a net zero greenhouse gases economy no later than 2050.

Achieving net zero emissions no later than 2050 requires massive-scale deployment of clean energy technologies, much of which exist today, but advances in technology are still needed. Reaching net zero emissions requires technologies that are currently in various stages of development. Some are ready or nearly ready and need policies to pull them to market, while some are still in the lab. Developing a National Net-Zero Innovation Plan will accelerate the integration of existing technologies and deliver the remaining solutions needed to get the job done.

OSTP’s National Net-Zero Innovation Plan will map out the science-based approaches to deliver net zero emissions, identify gaps and make the case for critical support for R&D to accelerate deployment of clean energy technologies now, make sure the new technologies are available when they’re needed, and invest in the future to make sure America leads the world in clean energy technologies for the 21st century. OSTP Clean Energy Transition Fellows will play a critical role in developing these analyses, as well as help rethink what energy science and technology should look like for the next 75 years, including by creating an energy science and technology ecosystem that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable.

Responsibilities

To advance the Administration’s agenda, OSTP Clean Energy Transition Fellows will

• Conduct substantive research, modeling, and analysis; prepare reports, briefings, talking points, and correspondences.
• Maintain awareness of national and international issues and White House positions on energy topics affecting the Fellow’s area of expertise in order to provide timely and informed advice and analysis to OSTP and senior White House officials. The work involves the development of policy plans and approaches, socializing those concepts and incorporating feedback, and working with parties inside and outside the government to advance policy objectives.
• Synthesize data from a wide variety of sources, including stakeholders outside the U.S. government, and presenting their analysis of this information and recommendations to members of the Administration.
• Work both independently and closely as a member or leader of a team in a deadline-oriented environment.
• Assist in staffing events and perform other duties, as assigned.

Specific Tasks and Objectives

Work closely with OSTP Energy Division senior officials, other OSTP officials, and other Federal agencies to develop national science and technology clean energyinnovation plans and will provide other support to include:

• Technical modeling, analysis, and support for OSTP's National Net-Zero Innovation Plan and other activities that OSTP participates in related to the Administration’s clean energy initiatives.
• Research, analyze, and develop written materials (briefings, memos, visuals, etc.) on various policy topics.
• Coordination, where appropriate, across Executive Office of the President components with responsibilities in science and technology relevant to OSTP’s goals and priorities.
• Other tasks, as assigned, to support and collaborate with OSTP staff to advance specific policy goals, projects, and initiatives.

Potential Mentors

• Dr. Sally Benson, Deputy Director for Energy and Chief Strategist for the Energy Transition
• Dr. Costa Samaras, Principal Assistant Director for Energy and Chief Advisor for Energy Policy

Fellowship Timeline

This is a 10-week long fellowship. You may be one of two Stanford fellows placed at OSTP. If you're the only Stanford fellow selected for the fellowship there is the possibility of renewal for another 10 weeks.

OSTP has a strong preference for the selected fellow(s) to start as soon as possible once the onboarding process, which can take 6 weeks - 2 months (additional details below), is complete.

Depending on when the fellowship begins, this opportunity may be part of the Shultz Energy Fellowships program.