The Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program seeks to attract and foster a broad range of experiences, interests, perspectives, and methodologies within the field of sustainability and our community of scholars.
The Dean’s postdoctoral fellowship will support outstanding scholars in the fields of Earth, planetary, oceans, and energy sciences, as well as environmental social sciences and civil & environmental engineering. We also seek researchers from emerging fields under the umbrella of sustainability, including fields that intersect with societal issues and lead to global impact. We seek future academic leaders who aspire to contribute to the professoriate by advancing new topics and bringing innovative methodologies to the field of sustainability and the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. Scholars who have experience engaging their scientific communities through mentorship and teaching, and who are committed to fostering an educational environment that values a range of perspectives and experiences are encouraged to apply.
The Dean’s Postdoctoral fellows will receive fellowship support, faculty mentoring, and will participate in professional development programs as part of the school community. The fellowship offers an annual salary of $85,000 for up to two years, and a $10,000/year in supplemental funds to support research and professional development. This is a two-year fellowship with postdoc benefits, including health care coverage. The application is due on Monday, November 30, 2026.
How to Apply
Please apply through the application portal. Candidates are encouraged to reach out to potential faculty mentors in the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability whose research aligns with their interests (see faculty directory). Nomination letters from Stanford faculty are not considered nor necessary as part of the application. We encourage you to let potential Stanford faculty advisors know that you are applying to this fellowship. However, an applicant does not need to have confirmed placement with a faculty mentor to apply.
About Application Materials
The cover letter (2-page maximum) should provide the committee with an overview of why the applicant is a strong fit for the Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship and how the fellowship would support their career aspirations in research and teaching. The cover letter should highlight relevant past experiences and accomplishments, as well as future goals and directions, that demonstrate the applicant’s potential to contribute to research excellence and commitment to expanding educational pathways within the broader field of sustainability.
The Research Statement (2-page maximum) should describe the applicant's research and academic accomplishments, current research, and future research directions. Applicants should discuss the potential contributions and broader impacts of their research and how their interests align with the work of a potential Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability faculty mentor.
The Leadership and Engagement Statement (2-page maximum) should describe how the applicant’s perspectives, experiences, and/or values have shaped their approach to research, leadership, teaching, mentorship, and/or service. Applicants should discuss how they engage with different perspectives and contribute to their academic, professional, or broader communities.
Two letters of recommendation from a professor, advisor, or researcher who has worked closely with the applicant and can speak to their research potential, leadership, and engagement.
