New: Alaska Embedded Fellowship with the Water Power Technologies Office

Join the team for the Water Power Technologies Office within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy as an ORISE Fellow! Applications are open now to have an Alaska-based fellowship to work on water-power topics within the 49th State along with the Arctic Energy Office.

Apply today for an Alaska-based fellowship for a year. To see the full Fellowship description and apply, visit the Zintellect website. 

The Fellow will, by being embedded in the state of Alaska (either Anchorage or Fairbanks) learn how the Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) and Arctic Energy Office carry out their work on water-power related topics within the state of Alaska. The Fellow will also gain hands-on experience by applying their knowledge within specific fields of expertise aligned with the Offices' work areas, especially as it pertains to Alaska energy issues and needs. This will include engaging in both marine (tidal and riverine hydrokinetic) technologies, as well as conventional hydropower.

Under guidance of a mentor, learning opportunities and professional development activities may include:

• Learning to collaborate in a dynamic team setting to understand key technological, ecological, regulatory and socio-economic issues and best practices for environmentally sustainable water power technologies development;
• Participating in research necessary to understand water power's role in the evolution of the Alaska electric grid, the capability and constraints associated with that role, and identifying the new technologies necessary to ensure that water power provides the necessary future grid services
• Learning to identify local stakeholders and rights-holders including relevant environmental agencies, as well as grid and non-grid activities that may present a barrier or opportunity for marine energy integration
• Learning how to map community engagement organizations that would help Alaskans learn about marine energies and their uses
• Learning how to identify best potential Alaska communities that would be interested in exploring marine energy, hydrokinetic, hydropower, and pumped storage hydro solutions in the future
• Interacting with local Alaska communities, including tribal entities, as well as with industry, owners, operators and other power providers, and environmental groups to understand how these groups determine their highest priorities for future research
• Observing, interacting with, and analyzing activities of the other DOE renewable energy technology offices and other federal agencies, state and local governments, and other non-governmental organizations with equities in Alaska energy issues
• Participating in the creation and learning how to manage an engineering field-research program for marine energy technologies

WPTO offers a competitive monthly stipend for participation in this program determined on an individual basis. This Fellowship also offers a range of additional benefits including: medical, dental, and vision insurance, and Federal holidays. Relocation expenses incurred in relocating from current address to Alaska will be reimbursed in a one-time, lump sum payment of $7,500 (if host facility more than 50 miles from the address shown on the application). Fellows will also 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 an extension for additional years 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.

To be eligible for this opportunity, applicants must:

• Be currently pursuing, or have completed requirements, for a Bachelor's degree, Master’s, or Doctoral degree.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States (LPR).

Desired candidate qualifications are:

• Knowledge of or experience in or with Alaska energy issues, policies, or organizations.

• Understanding of advanced concepts, principles, and practices of energy efficiency and renewable energy systems and technologies in the assigned program area.

• Expert knowledge of energy technologies in order to recognize realistic opportunities for renewable energy efficiency or alternative energy technologies based on practical considerations and cost/benefit potentials.

• Extensive knowledge of the Energy Policy Act of 1992; National Energy Conservation Policy Act; Title IV, Part B of the Energy Conservation and Production Act; Energy Policy and Conservation Act; Energy Security Act; and the DOE Financial Assistance Regulations.

• Knowledge of policy analysis and evaluation.