Kendall Fellowship: Electric Vehicles and Solar Photovoltaics

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Kendall Fellowship: Electric Vehicles and Solar Photovoltaics

Energy and Clean Vehicles Programs
Location: Cambridge, MA (preferred) or Washington, DC Office

The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), the leading science-based organization at the center of today’s most exciting and important policy debates, seeks outstanding candidates for the Kendall Science Fellows program. This up to two-year fellowship is open to candidates who will have completed their Ph.D. before spring 2015. The fellow will work with UCS staff to develop policy recommendations based on the findings and will present this work to media, policymakers, and the public and share findings at technical meetings. Candidates must have a strong background in electric power systems or electric vehicles, and excellent written and oral communication skills.

The Union of Concerned Scientists puts rigorous, independent science to work to solve our planet's most pressing problems. Joining with citizens across the country, we combine technical analysis and effective advocacy to create innovative, practical solutions for a healthy, safe, and sustainable future. Our members understand that scientific analysis—not political calculations or corporate hype—should guide our efforts to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices, and consumer choices. The Kendall Science Fellows Program was established to honor Nobel Prize winning physicist Henry Kendall who was with UCS from our beginnings and was the long-time chair of our board.  Dr. Kendall was known for his unique ability to shake up the status quo and catalyze new thinking, and UCS looks to Kendall Fellows to do the same. Priority will be given to innovative and forward-looking proposals that are primarily scientific, technical, or analytic in nature but also show interest in the application of science to policy. Fellows will benefit from the opportunity to learn from the UCS approach to science and policy, and UCS will benefit from the new approaches and expertise of the Kendall Fellows.

Responsibilities

The Kendall Fellow will spend up to two years conducting original analysis and evaluating existing research in order to comprehensively assess the operational and emissions effects of solar power and electric vehicles, and the financial impacts of rooftop solar power and electric vehicles on the electric utility industry. At the end of the fellowship, the Fellow should be able to answer some or all of the following questions:

• How are electric system modelers handling   electric vehicles and how should they be modeled?
• What technical and policy barriers affect how mid-day electricity generation from solar affect can be used for charging electric vehicles?
• What are the impacts on utility industry revenues from the projected adoption of electric vehicles and PV by retail customers?
• How do resulting operational and financial assessments of electric vehicle compare with the conventional wisdom regarding high rates of solar deployment?

• What modeling results can be applied to reducing barriers to the effective integration of EV and PV and maximizing EV and PV deployment?

• What policies could be put in place to address any of the above issues?

In fulfilling this role, the Fellow will:

• generate written reports and scholarly articles on the fellowship topics;
• develop quantitative assessments of vehicle charging patterns, PV deployment, technology adoption, and emission reductions;
• monitor and assess current and ongoing research and trends;
• communicate findings within UCS and to experts in the field, media, policymakers, and the public;
• serve as a spokesperson for the Kendall Fellows program;
• assist in developing policy and regulatory campaigns on key renewable and transportation-related issues.

Qualifications and experience

The Kendall Fellow should have knowledge and technical experience with either or both integration of renewable electricity generation in power systems and electric vehicles. Ideally, they would also have familiarity with advanced electric technologies such as batteries, inverters, and solar PV. They should have experience analyzing and distilling large amounts of data, and be proficient in office technology, including word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software, familiarity with computer operating systems and electronic communication systems. Modeling and computer programming skills are also preferred. They should have strong written and verbal skills.

A Ph.D. in a related scientific, engineering, energy, or economic field is required.

UCS is an equal opportunity employer continually seeking to diversify its staff, particularly to broaden opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy.

Compensation, Hours and Location: This is a full-time, up to two-year position based in either UCS’s Cambridge (preferred) or Washington, DC office. Fellowship will begin spring 2015 or later in 2015. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. Learn more about our Clean Vehicles Program.

To Apply: Please submit a short application, including a statement of interest (up to 2 pages, including relevant background and experience, a brief description of a research idea in the selected area, and interest in working with UCS), curriculum vitae, and two references to jobs@ucsusa.org including “Kendall Fellowship” and “EV-PV” in the subject line.  Email materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls please. Deadline: November 5, 2014 or until filled.

Review of initial applications will begin Nov. 7 2014. Following an initial screening, top candidates will co-write a more specific fellowship proposal in coordination with UCS staff for submission to the Kendall Science Fellows Program Advisory Committee by January 6, 2015. Final decisions on the award of this competitive fellowship will be made by late January, 2015.