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

The Climate Change Research Fellow - Energy Transition at UC Berkeley's Center for Law, Energy & Environment will conduct interdisciplinary research on the oil and gas industry's future pathways. Responsibilities include analyzing business models, engaging with stakeholders, and evaluating technological options. The role emphasizes collaboration with campus researchers and external experts to address climate change and promote sustainable energy solutions. This position is based in Berkeley, CA.
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.