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At Berkeley Law, we are committed to excellence in education and scholarship, as well as equality of opportunity. We believe we have a responsibility to use our substantial intellectual capital to help solve real-world problems and to create a more just society through clinics, research, and policy engagement. We believe that a Berkeley Law degree is a tool for change, both locally and globally, and that we should be educating the leaders of tomorrow. We maintain an environment that nurtures academic and personal growth, respects a diversity of ideas, and stimulates independent thought and critical reasoning.

The Center for Law, Energy & the Environment (CLEE) is based at the UC Berkeley School of Law, which benefits from one of the leading environmental law programs in the nation. Building on UC Berkeley’s history of and commitment to research and public service, CLEE leverages the intellectual resources of Berkeley faculty and students in furtherance of applied research in a variety of environmental and energy law and policy areas. CLEE’s research priorities include combating climate change, advancing sustainable energy, addressing water allocation and management challenges, and sustaining healthy oceans, among other pressing environmental and energy challenges.

The Climate Change and Methane Policy Research Fellow will focus on multiple aspects of methane emissions reduction at the local, state, national, and international level, with the intent to move solutions to policy and scale, including with the Subnational Methane Action Coalition (SMAC). The fellow will conduct research and work with government and NGO partners to identify barriers to implementation of solutions, including political, technological, regulatory, and educational. The fellow will work closely with CLEE climate program leads on methane emission reduction actions in multiple sectors. Tasks may include development of frameworks and protocols for methane emission reduction for coal, oil and gas, landfill, and agriculture; methane emission inventories and data transparency (including satellite data); promotion of international agreements, including legal research, work with partners, and drafting; creation and maintenance of website with best practices and clearinghouse of methane information; developing strategies for increased visibility of methane action; drafting legislation; convening experts; promoting pilot projects; and industry outreach. The fellow may also work on other climate issues, time permitting. The exact responsibilities will vary based on the evolution of various initiatives, the expertise and experience of the selected research fellow, and in response to the ongoing evolution of the field.

Primary Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of the Climate Change and Methane Policy fellow will include:

• Engaging in a variety of activities to support the ongoing project research and implementation, particularly in conjunction with SMAC;
• Conducting research on methane emission issues and solutions, including policy, science, law, and technology, under the direction of and in collaboration with CLEE team members, affiliates, and other experts in relevant fields, and in conjunction with SMAC;
• Developing projects and initiatives in collaboration with CLEE team members;
• Drafting outputs in a variety of possible formats, ranging from framing papers to blog posts to social media posts, and providing website updates;
• Working with CLEE climate program leads in organizing and facilitating meetings, workshops, and other convenings with subject matter experts, particularly in conjunction with SMAC;
• Reports, etc. to sponsors, media, and nongovernmental, governmental, academic, and/or stakeholder communities as needed;
• Assisting with other miscellaneous aspects of project activities as appropriate;
• Working closely with staff from the State of California focused on methane emissions;
• Some work with AI as applicable.

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The excellence of the institution requires an environment in which the diverse community of faculty, students, and staff are welcome and included. Successful candidates will demonstrate knowledge and skill related to ensuring equity and inclusion in the activities of their academic position (e.g., teaching, research, and service, as applicable).

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

Please refer to the University of California’s Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California’s Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment