To apply click on Apply at the bottom of this page. 

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Science, Technology, and Policy (STP) Program is seeking to develop future leaders in energy efficiency and renewable energy policy. These EERE STP Program appointments provide an opportunity for highly talented scientists, engineers, and technical professionals (e.g. business analysts, graphic designers, informaticians) to participate in policy-related projects at EERE offices in Washington, DC. The Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) drives research, manufacturing, and market solutions to make the abundant solar energy resources in the United States more affordable and accessible for Americans.

Applicants selected to participate will join the SETO team responsible for carrying out activities critical to the office's mission. SETO applications are reviewed (and offers are made) two times per year with an application deadline for this opportunity on July 15, 2024. All recommendations must be received by July 18, 2024 for your application to be considered. The application review process takes approximately 3-4 months. This Fellowship is typically offered as an initial one year appointment with a second year offer to extend the appointment, contingent on an annual review. There is potential to extend the appointment for additional years under certain circumstances. All appointment extensions are made at the discretion of the sponsoring office. Your learning opportunities may include:

• Collaborating with the active project management of SETO awards
• Engaging with stakeholders across industry, national labs, universities, and more
• Participating in strategic planning for SETO and other DOE initiatives
• Analysis and generating reports on current topics within the solar industry

These activities may be carried out in collaboration with teams of multi-level federal employees, other participants, support service contractors, and experts from national laboratories.

In particular, SETO is seeking Fellows with background in the following areas, but may consider additional relevant backgrounds:

• Photovoltaic technologies
• Concentrating solar-thermal power technologies
• Grid systems integration technologies
• Solar siting, permitting, interconnection, and market analysis
• Manufacturing and technology transfer
• Energy and environmental justice
• Access to financing, capacity building, and technical assistance
• Workforce development
• Scaling and accelerating deployment with meaningful benefits
• Communications, graphic design, and stakeholder engagement

Stipend and Benefits

SETO offers a competitive stipend for participation in this program. While exact stipends can vary based upon academic and professional background, SETO anticipates candidates will start their Fellowship at the following stipend rates: Bachelor's at $65,000; Master's at $72,000; Ph.D. at $95,000. For those with significant academic background and/or professional experience following their degree, stipends will be determined on an individual basis.

This Fellowship also offers a range of additional benefits including: medical, dental, and vision insurance, a local transportation stipend and federal holidays. A one-time allowance of $5,000 will be issued to offset expenses incurred in relocating from current address to Washington, D.C. (if more than 50 miles from the address shown on the application). Participants will receive a travel and research allowance of $10,000 per appointment year to cover expenses for scientific and professional development activities. Fellows may be offered a second-year extension with an increase in stipend and cost of living adjustment. Past Fellows have gone on to take a wide range of permanent positions in industry, academia, and government.

For more information about Fellowships with SETO in the EERE Science, Technology and Policy Program, please visit https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/fellowships-and-research-opportunities.

Appointment Location

Washington, D.C.

Nature of Appointment

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, DOE, or any other office or agency.  Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE letter of appointment and Terms of Appointment. The initial appointment period will be for one year, with the possibility to extend the appoint for additional years at discretion of the mentor and sponsoring office.

• You must be currently pursing, or have completed requirements for, a Bachelor's, Master’s, or Doctoral degree.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR).

Direct background in solar is not required for this opportunity, but strong candidates will have skill sets that can directly transfer to the mission of SETO and have an interest in developing a career in the solar industry beyond the Fellowship. SETO is interested in candidates with backgrounds including, but not limited to: physical and natural sciences, social science, engineering, policy, entrepreneurship, community and equity work. 

While not required, SETO is interested in bilingual candidates.

How to Apply:

A complete application consists of:

• An application
• Transcript(s) - For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Selected candidates may be required to provide proof of completion of the degree before the appointment can start.
• A current resume/curriculum vitae (CV)
• 1 Letter of Recommendation

The resume/CV must include the following:

• Basic applicant Information:  Name, address, phone, email, and other contact information.
• Work & Research Experience:  List all relevant work and research experiences beginning with current or most recent. Include the name of the employer, location, position held, and time period involved.
• Leadership Experience:  List experiences (e.g., work, civic, volunteer, research) that demonstrate your leadership skills. Detail your role, type of experience, organization, location, and duration.
• Educational History:  List all institutions from which you received or expect to receive a degree, beginning with current or most recent institution. Include the name of the academic institution, degree awarded or expected, date of awarded or expected degree, and academic discipline.
• Honors & Awards:  List in chronological order (most recent first) any awards or public recognitions. Include the name of awarding institution, title of the award or honor, and date of award or honor.

If you have questions, please send an email to DOE-RPP@orise.orau.gov and list the reference code [DOE-EERE-STP-SETO-2024-2100]  in the subject line of your email.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree.
• Discipline(s):
  • Business (11 )
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (6 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Other Non-Science & Engineering (13 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age