Assistant Director Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Program

This position is based on Stanford’s main campus with consideration given to the option for a hybrid work schedule (partially onsite and offsite), subject to operational need. Interested candidates must include a resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment VISA.

About Us 
The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability strives to create a future when humans and nature thrive in concert and in perpetuity. The school is made up of a three-part structure to drive global impact: Our academic departments and programs educate students and create new knowledge across areas of research that are crucial for advancing the long-term prosperity of the planet and people; Institutes bridge scholarship at Stanford and beyond, bringing multiple viewpoints to bear on urgent challenges; The Sustainability Accelerator drives new policy and technology solutions through a worldwide network of partners who work with our teams to develop solutions at a global scale. The school is dedicated to creating and supporting a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, and to creating solutions that benefit all people, particularly those most affected by environmental damage and climate change.

For more information on the school, click here .

Precourt Institute for Energy
As part of the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability , the Precourt Institute for Energy concentrates the talents of the University on energy research and education, from basic science and technology to policy and business. Our mission is to spark the creativity, collaboration, learning, and leadership needed for the global energy transformation. The initiatives, research centers, and educational programs of the Precourt Institute connect across campus in all seven of Stanford’s schools supporting work with the potential to solve the toughest energy challenges from science and engineering to policy and economics. We also build collaborations globally with industry, other research institutions, government, and civic organizations in pursuit of sustainable, affordable, secure energy for all people.

Stanford Energy Fellowships
One of Precourt Institute for Energy’s newest initiatives, the Stanford Energy Fellowships program was established to bring together the brightest minds in energy from around the world to tackle the challenge of developing a new energy system that is affordable, reliable, and available to all people. The initiative supports two programs: the newly established Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Summer Undergraduate Program on Energy Research.

Seeking an Assistant Director, Stanford Energy Fellowships
The Precourt Institute for Energy is seeking exceptional candidates to serve as an Assistant Director for its Stanford Energy Fellowships program, working closely with and reporting directly to the Director of Stanford Energy Fellowships.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Assistant Director for Stanford Energy Fellowships will play an integral role in shaping the new Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship program (50% FTE), manage the day-to-day operations of the Summer Undergraduate Program on Energy Research (25% FTE), and provide programmatic management for the Precourt Institute for Energy (25% FTE). The Assistant Director will need to work as part of a team in supporting postdoc and undergraduate experiences in these programs, partnering closely with the Director of Stanford Energy Fellowships and the Program Manager for Stanford Energy Fellowships. The role includes budget management and budget forecasting, communications, inclusive community building, project management, and strategic analysis. The Assistant Director will work to define success metrics for the program and review strategic progress reports and metrics, as well as synthesize learnings and identify opportunities for improvement. This role will manage changes and interventions to ensure program goals are met, in collaboration with various partners and team members.   

Your responsibilities will include:

• Independently manage all aspects of the Summer Undergraduate Program on Energy Research, including: administering the competitions process and evaluations; developing and refining curricular programming; and strategic planning and analysis.
• Strategize and develop programs, workshops, professional development opportunities, and other content that support the goals and mission of the Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship program, the Summer Undergraduate Program on Energy Research, and other Precourt activities.
• Develop and maintain university partnerships that grow and enrich the Summer Undergraduate Program on Energy Research.
• Develop, manage, and track budgets for the Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship and Summer Undergraduate Program on Energy Research. Manage finances including monitoring, analyzing, forecasting, and reporting.
• Create, manage, evaluate, optimize, and execute on an outreach strategy for engaging with energy fellows through a variety of communication platforms (newsletter, email, slack, website).
• Represent Precourt within the school, the university, and externally. Build community among Precourt stakeholders, including the postdoc and student populations. Be the point person for individual communications with the postdoc fellows (20 postdocs, growing to 30) and student (15 students) cohorts.
• Define programmatic success metrics for the Stanford Energy Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Summer Undergraduate Program on Energy Research.
• Evaluate and analyze program metrics. Identify issues and areas of improvement, develop solutions, and implement changes to programming, policies, and/or procedures that help to achieve the goals of the programs.

To be successful in this position, you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree and five years of relevant experience, or combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, manage shifting priorities, and handle numerous time-sensitive projects with multiple deadlines.
• Ability to accomplish goals working through formal and informal channels, with diplomacy and tactfulness.
• Demonstrated creativity, problem solving, critical analysis, initiative, judgment, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and meet budget goals.
• Demonstrated solid planning and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
• Strong relevant subject matter knowledge.

In addition, our preferred requirements include:

• PhD in science, engineering, environment, sustainability, or related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with a diverse set of actors within and outside the organization, including academia, nonprofits, private, and public sectors.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership of projects.
• Experience designing and convening workshops.
• Knowledge of and experience with project management techniques and tools.
• Familiarity with strategic planning approaches and ability to connect objectives with measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive working relationships with faculty and fellows in a university setting.
• Experience in higher education as a graduate student or postdoc or in supporting graduate students or postdocs.
• Proactive communicator with excellent written, visual, and oral communication skills.
• Flexible, open-minded, and collaborative mindset with the ability to ideate, implement, and iterate.

Work Environment
Precourt Institute for Energy is a teamwork-focused and collaborative work environment. The Assistant Director reports to and works primarily with the Director of Stanford Energy Fellowships. In addition, the Assistant Director collaborates with colleagues on the Explore Energy team (Precourt’s student engagement program), including monthly meetings and annual offsites. The Assistant Director will also connect and collaborate with other program managers, staff, and directors at various Precourt and Doerr School meetings, check-ins, and social events.

At Stanford and at Precourt, we encourage and support skill and knowledge training courses, work-life balance including the BeWell program, IDEAL objectives and incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusion, and personalized career development. The Assistant Director will work with the Director to personalize their goals and career path. We prioritize transparency and support for our team members.

The expected pay range for this position is $73,000 to $141,000 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards ) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

How to Apply
We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the “Apply for Job” button.

Why Stanford is for You
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or course auditing. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at [email protected] . For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form .

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.