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The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability (SDDS) Dean’s Sustainability Leaders Postdoctoral Fellowship Program represents a new step in attracting and fostering a broad range of experiences, interests, perspectives, and methodologies to the field of sustainability and to our community of scholars.

As part of advancing Stanford University’s IDEAL vision and commitment to diversity (broadly defined) among its faculty, students, and staff, this fellowship will support outstanding scholars in the fields of Earth, oceans, energy, and civil and & environmental engineering, as well as other emerging fields under the umbrella of sustainability, including research fields that intersect with societal issues and lead to global impact, who aspire to contribute to the professoriate with teaching and/or research. We are looking for academic leaders who advance new topics in sustainability as well as bring new ideas, methodologies, and perspectives to the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, and whose professional engagement with the scientific community and mentorship/teaching of undergraduate and graduate students will continue to foster inclusion within our academic community.

The Dean’s Sustainability Leaders Postdoctoral fellows will receive fellowship support and faculty mentoring and will participate in professional development programs as part of the school community. The fellowship carries an annual stipend of $85,000 for up to two years and includes a research stipend of $10,000/year. This is a two-year fellowship with the Fellow starting in September 2025 and concluding the summer of 2027.

How to Apply

Please apply through the application portal below. Candidates are encouraged to reach out to potential faculty mentors in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability whose research aligns with their interests (see Doerr School faculty directory). Nomination letters from Stanford faculty are not considered nor necessary as part of the application; however, we encourage you to let potential Stanford faculty advisors know that you are applying to this fellowship. Here are some questions to consider when approaching a potential faculty mentor.

We are looking for Fellows who:

• Explore emerging topics in sustainability
• Exemplify inclusive leadership in STEM/Academia
• Have plans to continue career in the professoriate

We provide professional development for Fellows:

• Fellows participate in the intellectual life of their departments and programs across the university
• Professional development programming
• PI mentorship to prepare for professoriate
• Take part in postdoc fellows symposium and seminars

Please apply through our SlideRoom application portal here. Applications are due on Monday, November 11th at 11:59pm.

If you have any questions about any other postdoc opportunities at Stanford, we encourage you to contact the individual PI about opportunities and also visit the Stanford Postdoctoral Affairs webpage for latest opportunities. If candidates have any questions, please feel free to contact us at lupec@stanford.edu.

All are welcome to apply, and candidates will be evaluated based their research excellence, inclusive leadership, as well as a faculty mentor’s ability to support the candidates’ research and professional goals. We especially seek to attract applications from promising scholars from underrepresented perspectives in STEM as well as those who are in emerging areas related to Earth sciences, oceans, energy, civil & environmental engineering, and the broader field of sustainability.

About Application Materials

The cover letter (2-page maximum) should provide the committee with an overview of why the applicant would be a great fit for the Dean's Sustainability Leaders Postdoctoral Fellowship program, and how it would help the candidate in their aspirations for pursuing a career in teaching and research, as well as in developing their leadership in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and in their respective field. The cover letter should provide an overview of the applicant's past experiences and accomplishments, as well as future goals and directions, that demonstrate a dedication to research excellence and diversity within the broader field of sustainability.

The research statement (2-page maximum) should describe research/academic accomplishments, current work, future research direction, and impacts of work with a potential Stanford Doerr school faculty mentor.

Inclusive Leadership statement (2-page maximum) should expand upon the applicant’s experiences with bringing diverse perspectives and inclusive best practices in their research, teaching, mentorship and/or leadership service. Applicants can also speak to their potential to continue their inclusive leadership and commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and access in the sciences and in academia.

Eligibility

The Dean's Sustainability Leaders Postdoctoral Fellowship is open to individuals who:

• Will have been awarded their PhD within the last three years. The PhD must be conferred by the start of the award term.
• Will have no more than two years of prior postdoctoral experience by the start of the award term (not including additional months in their Ph.D. lab post-conferral).
• Citizenship is not a selection factor. However, non-U.S. scholars must be eligible for a J-1 visa, (with sponsorship from Stanford). Exceptions must be discussed with program administration.
• Stanford PhDs, as well as postdoctoral scholars already working at Stanford who meet the eligibility and qualifications can apply, and their applications will be considered. Keep in mind, one of the main goals of the fellowship is to bring new talent or new areas of research to Stanford.

The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability deeply appreciates the value of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and defines diversity broadly to include (among other things) diversity of genders, cultures, physical and learning differences, sexual orientations and identities, veteran status, and work and life experiences. The school welcomes all who would bring diversity of perspective to the school's research and teaching missions. Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and consistent with its obligations under the law prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable law.