Energy Fellowship

Organization: Environmental Defense Fund

Location: Austin, TX

Salary: commensurate with experience

Description

With world attention focused on both the environment and the economy, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is where policymakers and business leaders turn for win-win solutions. This leading green group, with programs from Boston to Beijing, has tripled in size over the past decade by focusing on strong science, uncommon partnerships and market-based approaches. You can be part of a vibrant workplace that welcomes diverse perspectives, talents and contributions, where innovation and a focus on results are a way of life.

Overview

The Energy Program at Environmental Defense Fund seeks candidates with advanced scientific degrees to lead work on advancing the characterization of air emissions from the natural gas industry. The Fellow will also work collaboratively with other EDF scientists and policy experts to help develop and advocate for science-based, economically sound policies to minimize these emissions.

Project Background

One of EDF’s Energy Program goals is to reduce the impact of natural gas and coal on human health and the environment. With growing political pressure to produce more energy domestically and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, natural gas is increasingly seen as the fossil fuel of choice for the United States. As a lower-carbon, domestically produced fossil fuel it is also seen as having the potential to economically meet U.S. energy needs until renewable energy can be scaled up. However, factoring in methane leakage during the production and distribution of natural gas can significantly affect the net climate benefits of natural gas relative to other fuels. Yet there are no reliable data on the cumulative leakage rates in the natural gas system. It is critical to determine the actual rates of natural gas leakage as quickly as possible

Key Responsibilities

• Gather, analyze and synthesize available data on methane emissions from natural gas systems, both independently and in collaboration with other experts.
• Identify key uncertainties and research gaps and propose rapid research efforts to fill those gaps.
  Organize one or more workshops with leading science and policy thinkers to define tangible scientific efforts to quickly resolve key uncertainties.
• Author one or more scientific papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals to disseminate lessons learned and broaden engagement of scientific community to address key research needs.
• Design and direct targeted field measurement campaigns to make progress on key research needs identified above (subject to funding availability).
• Become familiar with and keep up-to-date on the scientific, economic and/or policy literature relevant to emissions from natural gas systems in order to synthesize and disseminate that information for EDF scientists, economists, lawyers and policy specialists.
• Participate in developing reports, fact sheets, and blog posts for general audiences on the topic of focus.
• In addition, the Fellow may be asked to support other “rapid response” and/or project development efforts on an as-needed basis.

Qualifications

• A recent Ph.D. in the natural sciences, engineering, or environmental science is preferred; candidates with an M.S. in those fields and with other relevant scientific training and experience will be considered;
• Strong analytical skills and experience in performing rigorous analysis in support of highly visible work;
• A passion for environmental protection, creativity (and a dose of pragmatism) in the real-world application of scientific theory to practice, and knowledge of relevant environmental policy issues;
• Exceptional personal organization and attention to detail;
• Results-oriented, self-starter with the ability to think strategically and carry out responsibilities in a timely and effective manner with minimal supervision;
• Ability to work both independently and as a member of small teams in a dynamic and creative environment with colleagues and partners of varied background and experience;
• Ablity to communicate complex ideas to a general audience in writing and orally;
• Proficiency in the use of PCs and the Microsoft Office suite of software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); ability to use database software is a plus;
• On-the-job training will be provided to familiarize the successful candidate with specific issues, media and policy work; and
• Willingness to travel.

Location: Austin, TX

Term: 12-month term position to start ASAP, with possibility of renewal.

Hours: Full-time (35 hrs/wk)

Compensation: Competitive; based on experience.

How To Apply

Qualified applicants should forward their cover letter, resume/CV and names and contact info for three references to [email protected]. Please specify “Energy Post-Doctorate Fellowship” in the email subject line. Applications will be reviewed until suitable candidates are found.

Due to the volume of employment applications and queries received, EDF is unable to respond to each application individually. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected as a candidate. No phone calls, please.

Environmental Defense Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer.