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Climate Change Research Fellow - Energy Transition - Center for Law, Energy & Environment - School of Law

Position overview

Position title: Climate Change Research Fellow
Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See the following table(s) for the current salary scale(s) for this position: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2024-25/july-2024-scales/t24-b.pdf. The current base salary range for this position is $61,300 - $124,000. "Off-scale" salaries, which yield compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Summer 2025

Position duration: One-year term position, with the possibility of renewal.

Application Window
Open date: April 18, 2025

Next review date: Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Monday, May 19, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

At Berkeley Law, we are committed to excellence in education and scholarship, as well as equality of opportunity. We believe we have a responsibility to use our substantial intellectual capital to help solve real-world problems and to create a more just society through clinics, research, and policy engagement. We believe that a Berkeley Law degree is a tool for change, both locally and globally, and that we should be educating the leaders of tomorrow. We maintain an environment that nurtures academic and personal growth, respects a diversity of ideas, and stimulates independent thought and critical reasoning.

The Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) is based at the UC Berkeley School of Law, which benefits from one of the leading environmental law programs in the nation. Building on UC Berkeley's history of and commitment to research and public service, CLEE leverages the intellectual resources of Berkeley faculty and students in furtherance of applied research in a variety of environmental and energy law and policy areas. CLEE's research priorities include combating climate change, advancing sustainable energy, addressing water allocation and management challenges, and sustaining healthy oceans, among other pressing environmental and energy challenges.

The Climate Change Research Fellow-Energy Transition will conduct research on future pathways for the oil and gas industry. This work will be conducted through an interdisciplinary partnership with other researchers on campus and external experts. The project will include engagement with regulators, communities, and industry experts to develop solutions that consider the economic, political and social needs of diverse stakeholders. The project will evaluate business models and technology pathways for the oil and gas industry, policy pathways for government, and governance structures to support local communities, workers, and other stakeholders. The Fellow will lead research and analysis of technological options for the future of oil and gas, conduct interviews with industry experts and stakeholders, and regularly engage with project partners and consultants. The Fellow will support project execution, cohesion, and progress by hosting project meetings, establishing regular project communications, and using of project management tools. The Fellow will work regularly with other CLEE research staff and experts on campus.

Primary Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Climate Change Research Fellow, Energy Transition will include:

• Conduct research on future pathways for the oil and gas industry, including:
  • Review of business and financial analysis of current and future industry practices, risks, and opportunities.
  • Map current oil and gas industry assets and liabilities.
  • Assess and summarize opportunities, risks, and uncertainties associated with emerging technology options for the oil and gas industry, including carbon capture and removal, biofuels, hydrogen, and other technology pathways.
  • Identify research gaps and additional analysis needs.
  • Engage with diverse stakeholders, including community organizations, industry, and others, through interviews, high-level convenings, and other channels.
• Organize and host convenings industry experts, community stakeholders, policy makers, and other relevant groups to identify and assess technology options, transition opportunities and additional analytic and research needs.
• Work with project partners to ensure cohesiveness across project activities, including on-campus partners and external consultants. This may include:
  • Organizing, hosting, and developing agendas for general project team meetings and special topic meetings.
  • Maintaining and organizing project files to ensure that they are accessible to all project team members.
  • Supporting development of a project workplan and timeline.
• Engage with other climate research fellows and staff at CLEE to make connections across projects, provide and receive project input, and
• Identify funding opportunities to expand CLEE's research portfolio on energy transition and provide input and support on proposal development.
• Represent CLEE to diverse audiences including policymakers, the media, and partner organizations.
• Support CLEE's communication and outreach activities across a range of media and work products, including drafting op-eds and blog posts; materials for the CLEE website; contributing to newsletters, annual reports, and other organizational materials.

Form More Information: https://www.law.berkeley.edu/research/clee/

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application)
Candidate must hold an advanced degree

Preferred qualifications

• JD or MA/S degree with at least 3 years of professional experience
• Experience working in the oil, gas, or energy industry.
• Demonstrated experience working at the intersections of law, policy, climate change, and equity
• Record of successful outputs, including policy-relevant publications based on research and analysis
• Ability to work with people from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and policy perspectives
• Ability to prioritize and function both independently and collaboratively
• Demonstrated ability to finish projects and deliver on commitments
• Willingness to plunge into unfamiliar disciplines
• Willingness to take risks by exploring and testing new ideas
• Experience working with state and local policy makers, environmental organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders in California
• Excitement and commitment to CLEE's mission and environmental sustainability, more generally.

Application Requirements

Document requirements
Additional materials may be requested of applicants.

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Writing Sample - Writing Sample - A legal or policy memo or excerpt from legal or policy writing (5 pages maximum)

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04902

Help contact: academicpositions@law.berkeley.edu

About UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Job location
Berkeley, CA


To apply, visit https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04902