Geothermal Fellows Program (GFP)

To apply click on Apply at the bottom of this page.

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE) Science, Technology, and Policy (STP) Program serves as a next step in the educational and professional development of scientists and engineers by providing opportunities to participate in policy-related projects in Washington, D.C. Participants will become part of a group of highly-trained scientists and engineers with the education, background, and experience to be part of the workforce that supports the DOE's mission in the future.

The Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) is committed to reduce costs and risks associated with geothermal development by supporting innovative technologies that address key technical and operational challenges. The GTO portfolio includes research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) activities spanning geothermal power, heating and cooling technologies such as district heating and geothermal heat pumps, and thermal energy storage. There is also a key focus within GTO on integrating energy equity and environmental justice, workforce development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities into individual awards and overarching initiatives.

The Geothermal Technologies Office seeks talented and innovative individuals to engage in innovation and collaboration in clean energy initiatives. This Fellowship will last one year, with the opportunity to renew for additional years at the discretion of the sponsoring office. As a Geothermal Fellow, you will have the opportunity to engage with one of GTO’s Four Subprograms:

• Data, Modeling, and Analysis (DMA)Team:
  • DMA takes a holistic analytical approach across the GTO’s technology portfolio with the aim of enabling further deployment of geothermal resources. The goal of the DMA subprogram is to identify and address barriers to geothermal adoption in the U.S. and validate and assess technical progress across the geothermal sector to inform the direction and prioritization of GTO RDD&D.
  • Projects may include:
    • Identifying strategies for overcoming the policy and regulatory barriers to deploying more geothermal power in the U.S.
    • Research and design implementation strategies for quantifying the value of geothermal energy through engagement with stakeholders such as electric and gas utilities.
    • Expand the depth and breadth of geothermal representation and contributions to a variety of DOE techno-economic, performance, and grid models.
• Hydrothermal Team:
  • The Hydrothermal subprogram supports R&D that can lower cost and risk throughout the lifecycle of a hydrothermal project to bring more hydrothermal power online, from exploration and resource confirmation, to drilling and field development, to reservoir management over multi-decadal timescales. The subprogram also supports R&D for extracting critical materials or other strategic minerals from geothermal brines to maximize the ancillary benefits of geothermal resources.
• EGS Team:
  • The focus of the EGS subprogram is to gain an evidence-based understanding of basic and applied science challenges surrounding long-term subsurface heat flow, permeability enhancement, and stress evolution to enable development of sustainable, human-made heat exchangers. In the long term, strengthening the body of EGS knowledge through RD&D will enable industry to develop a baseload energy resource as shown in the GeoVision report.
• Low Temperature Team:
  • The Low Temperature subprogram supports R&D on the direct use of thermal resources for process and space heating applications, geothermal heat pumps, district-scale geothermal heating and cooling systems, and deep direct use geothermal resource development.

Location
Washington, D.C. or Golden, CO

Participant Benefits
Selected candidates will receive a competitive stipend. Stipend rates are determined by DOE officials, and are based on the candidate’s academic and professional background. Candidates will also be eligible to receive a stipend supplement to offset the cost of health insurance premiums and relocation of up to $5,000. A travel and research allowance of $10,000 will also be available to participants for each appointment year. Extension of the appointment beyond the first year will be subject to satisfactory progress toward completion of the project assignments, and availability of funds.

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

For more information on the EERE Science, Technology, and Policy Program please visit: https://www.energy.gov/eere/education/energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy-science-technology-and-policy-program.

A completed application consists of:

• Profile Information
• Application Questions (goals, experiences, and skills relevant to the opportunity)
• Transcript(s) - An unofficial transcript or copy of the student 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.
• A current resume/CV
• One Letter of recommendation - While a letter of recommendation is not required to be considered, applicants are required to provide contact information for one recommendation in order to submit the application. Applicants are encouraged to request a letter of recommendation before submission as this may help reviewers have a better understanding of the applicant’s qualifications and interests. The letter of recommendation must be submitted on your behalf before selections are completed and offers are made.

CV must include the following:

• Applicant Information
• Education History. List all institutions from which you received or expect to receive a degree, beginning with current or most recent institution. Include the name of the academic institution, degree awarded or expected, date of awarded or expected degree, and academic discipline.
• Work and Research Experience. List all work and research experiences beginning with current or most recent. Include the name of the employer, location, position held, and time period involved.
• Leadership Experience. List experiences (e.g., work, civic, volunteer, research) that demonstrate your leadership skills. Detail your role, type of experience, organization, location, and duration.
• Honors and Awards. List in chronological order (most recent first) any awards or public recognitions. Include the name of awarding institution, title of the award or honor, and date of award or honor.
• Publications. List publications in the following order: 1) referee journals; 2) books; 3) published proceedings; 4) non-refereed articles; and 5) patents. Citations must include a) authors; b) year of publication; c) title; d) full name of journal; e) volume number; and f) page number(s).

If you have questions, please send an email to DOE-RPP@orise.orau.gov. Please list the reference code DOE-EERE-STP-GTO-2023-1400 for this opportunity in the subject line of your email.

• Be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
• Be currently pursing, or have completed requirements for, a Master’s or Doctoral Degree.

An ideal applicant will be enthusiastic about learning how to accelerate geothermal energy deployment in the U.S. - preferably with related experiences to geothermal energy. An ideal candidate will have superior academic performance and publication record, strong analytical, research and communication (oral and written) skills and demonstrated capacity for creative thinking, a strong technical background and expertise in an energy-technology-related field, and be interested in being part of a multi-disciplinary, fast-paced environment, focused on energy technology research and development. Experience in one or more EERE technology area (e.g., renewable energy, clean transportation, storage technologies) is helpful, but enthusiasm and willingness to develop new skills are paramount.

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree.
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (28 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age