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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Science, Technology, and Policy Program is designed to provide opportunities for students, postgraduates, established scientists, and faculty to participate in programs, projects, and activities at the Department. Fellows will receive hands-on experience that provides an understanding of the mission, operations, and culture of DOE. As a result, fellows will gain deep insight into the federal government's role in the creation and implementation of energy technology policies; apply your scientific, policy and technical knowledge to the development of solutions to issues of importance to the DOE, and continue your education and involvement in areas that support the DOE mission either in a technical or policy-related role. 

About the Office of Technology Transitions

The mission of OTT is to expand the commercial impact of the research investments of the DOE and to focus on commercializing technologies that support the missions of the Department, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. OTT provides the necessary coordination, oversight, and funding programs to facilitate the commercialization of impactful energy technologies throughout the Department. OTT works closely with the Department’s numerous energy technology offices as well as a range of private organizations relevant to commercialization (business incubators, large corporations, investors, national labs, etc.) to develop and implement activities that increase the number of innovative and impactful energy technologies transitioning to the marketplace. These activities expand the commercial impact of DOE’s research, enhance the economic growth of the US, and improve the health of the planet. Read more: https://www.energy.gov/technologytransitions/officetechnology-transitions

About the Fellowship

The fellowship is offering candidates the opportunity to learn about the federal government and its role in commercializing energy technology with the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in Washington, D.C. You will participate in projects and activities in support of commercialization goals across the research, development, demonstration, and deployment continuum by learning to guide strategy, conduct analysis, and design and implement funding programs in the following areas:

• Commercialization Programs
  • National Lab Commercialization Programs
    • Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF) Base
    • Energy I-Corps
    • Technology Commercialization Internship Program
    • EnergyTech University Prize
  • Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) TCF
  • Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIA)
  • Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation (FESI)

• Technology Transfer Policy
• Market Analysis

As part of the Commercialization Programs Team, you may participate in developing and implementing funding programs that utilize prize authorities, financial assistance authority, national lab agreements, and partnerships with private organizations like business incubators. The team's portfolio spans a range of technology maturation programs and activities, including those that support regional energy innovation systems; provide small business vouchers; encourage students, energy researchers, and national laboratory employees to develop entrepreneurial skill sets and engage in entrepreneurial opportunities; and enable partnerships between the National Laboratories and private companies/individuals.

As part of the Policy Team, you may participate in support of the Director for Policy and Practice in policy planning, development, and implementation activities for OTT, including the development and objective analysis of technology transfer policy, programs, partnerships, and projects. This involves multi-method approaches to collect information and data, qualitatively and quantitatively analyze topics, develop, and implement evidence-based recommendations, and liaise with internal Federal and DOE stakeholders, including the White House, Congress, other Departments and Agencies, DOE and National Labs, as well as external stakeholders, including industry, small businesses, innovators, and State and local governments. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate closely with policymakers within DOE and across the Federal Government.

As part of the Market Analysis team, you may participate in designing, conducting, and socializing analysis work products to better understand the commercial opportunity for a given technology category. Activities within the Market Analysis team could include analysis of new markets, updates to existing market analyses, and identification and integration of market data and metrics to existing workflows and knowledge bases. Ultimately, these projects will inform departmental commercialization strategy and activities. You may have the opportunity to collaborate closely with subject matter experts and market analysts from within OTT, across DOE headquarters, and the broader DOE lab complex.

OTT has the responsibility to interface with the DOE applied research offices and private entities that need energy technology solutions to facilitate a smooth technology transfer process. Applicants should have a deep interest in energy technologies, commercialization strategies, and various pathways for overcoming market and regulatory barriers for the adoption of new technologies. The combination of technical expertise, enthusiasm, and determination will enable fellows to make rewarding contributions. OTT’s mandate is clear and the potential for impact is immense. We need bright minds and creative thinkers to help maximize outcomes over the next year and beyond.

Objectives

Throughout the appointment, you will develop a broad understanding of the energy industry, the technical needs and opportunities for energy technologies, and the commercialization impacts of various programs, policies, and regulatory decisions. You will have an opportunity to collaborate with experts at the DOE, national labs, and industry leaders across the energy value chain to help analyze and overcome key commercialization barriers to various energy technologies. You will help shape the OTT's agenda and enable collaborations across the Commercialization Programs team. You will also support the development of the OTT's strategic plan and other programmatic activities.

What Will I Be Doing?

With guidance from a mentor, you may have an opportunity to:

• Deepen your understanding of clean energy technologies and markets both through direct engagement as well as through attendance at various brown bags, briefings, or other meetings.
• Participate in the development of new programs leveraging prize and other funding mechanisms to maximize the positive commercial outcomes of OTT’s budget.
• Collaborate with numerous technical leads from multiple DOE technology offices to learn to facilitate policy and program execution, identifying ways OTT can address challenges, fill gaps, and facilitate efficient and effective policy and program execution.
• Participate in expert, external reviews of funding applications and help develop selection recommendations for office leadership.
• Collaborate on the development of white papers on various energy technology commercialization-related topics.
• Learn to prepare and present briefings to upper management, external offices, or Congressional staff.
• Develop analysis projects related to tracking the commercialization impacts of OTT and other commercialization programming within DOE.
• Contribute to OTT’s efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) across its efforts and programs.
• Participate in various energy technology commercialization conferences and workshops.
• Propose new initiatives or program improvements to enhance office decision-making or otherwise advance the OTT mission of energy technology commercialization.

Nature of the Appointment

The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, the DOE, or any other office or agency. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.

Applicants must have:

• A superior academic performance
• Strong analytical, research and communication (oral and written) skills
• Demonstrated capacity for creative thinking
• A strong technical background
• Interest in being part of a multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment, focused on energy technology transfer and commercialization

Direct experience and knowledge in technology transfer and commercialization and in a scientific- or energy-technology-related field is desirable, but not required.

Level 3: Doctorate or Master's degree and more than 3 years of experience in a scientific or energy-relevant, technical subject area. If more than five years since receipt of graduate degree, applicant must have at least three years of post-degree experience in a technical position in a field related to scientific and energy innovation.

Level 2: Ph.D. or master's degree and no more than 3 years of experience in a scientific- or energy-relevant, technical subject area.

Level 1: Bachelor's degree received in a scientific- or energy-relevant, technical subject area within the past five years.

How to Apply
A complete application consists of:

• Zintellect Profile and responses to opportunity-specific questions
• A current resume/CV, including academic history, employment history, and relevant experiences.
• Academic Records - For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of the student's academic records printed by the applicant or by academic advisors from internal institution systems may be submitted. Selected candidate may be required to provide proof of completion of the degree before the appointment can start.
• [Optional] Writing Sample(s) - Applicants can submit a writing sample(s) that can speak to their ability to communicate analyses and findings on a topic of their choice. This can include, but is not limited to, manuscripts, opinion pieces, or reports.
• Letter of Recommendation: Applicants are required to provide contact information for one recommendation in order to submit the application. Applicants are encouraged to request recommendations before submission as this may help reviewers have a better understanding of the applicant’s qualifications and interests.  Recommendations must be submitted on your behalf through Zintellect before an offer is made. Applicants are encouraged to request a recommendation from professionals who can speak to your abilities and potential for success as well as your scientific capabilities and personal characteristics. Recommendation requests must be sent through the Zintellect application system. Recommenders will be asked to complete a recommendation in Zintellect. Letters of recommendation submitted via email will not be accepted.

All documents must be submitted via Zintellect in order to be considered and must be in English or include an official English translation. Submitted documents must have all social security numbers, student identification numbers, and/or dates of birth removed (blanked out, blackened out, made illegible, etc.) prior to uploading into the application system.

If you have questions, send an email to DOE-RPP@orau.org. Please include the reference code DOE-STP-OTT-2024 for this opportunity in your email.

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