The fellowship is offering four (4) candidates the opportunity to learn about the federal government and its role in commercializing energy technology with the Office of Technology Transitions (OTT) at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in Washington, D.C. You will participate in projects and activities in support of commercialization goals across the research, development, demonstration, and deployment continuum by guiding strategy, conducting analysis and designing and implementing funding programs in the following areas:
- Commercialization Programs
- Technology Transfer Policy
- Market Analysis
As part of the Commercialization Programs team, you will help to develop, and implement, funding programs that utilize prize authorities, financial assistance authority, national lab agreements, and partnerships with private organizations like business incubators. The team's portfolio spans a range of technology maturation programs and activities, including those that support regional energy innovation systems; provide small business vouchers; encourage students, energy researchers, and national laboratory employees to develop entrepreneurial skill sets and engage in entrepreneurial opportunities; and enable partnerships between the National Laboratories and private companies/individuals.
As part of the Technology Transfer Policy team, you will support the Senior Policy Analyst in policy planning, development, and implementation activities for OTT, including the development and objective analysis of new technology transfer policy, programs, partnerships, and projects. This involves multi-method approaches to collect information and data, qualitatively and quantitatively analyze topics, develop and implement evidence-based recommendations, and liaise with internal Federal and DOE stakeholders, including the White House, Congress, other Departments and Agencies, DOE and National Labs, as well as external stakeholders, including industry, small businesses, innovators, and State and local governments. You may also have the opportunity to collaborate closely with high-level policy-makers within DOE and across the Federal Government.
As part of the Market Analysis team, you will design, conduct, and socialize analysis work products to better understand the commercial opportunity for a given technology category. Activities within the Market Analysis team could include: analysis of new markets, updates to existing market analyses, and identification and integration of market data and metrics to existing workflows and knowledge bases. Ultimately, these projects will inform departmental commercialization strategy and activities. You may have the opportunity to collaborate closely with subject matter experts and market analysts from within OTT, across DOE headquarters, and the broader DOE lab complex.
OTT has the responsibility to interface with the DOE applied research offices and private entities that need energy technology solutions to facilitate a smooth technology transfer process. Applicants should have a deep interest in energy technologies, commercialization strategies, and various pathways for overcoming market and regulatory barriers for the adoption of new technologies. The combination of technical expertise, enthusiasm, and determination will enable fellows to make rewarding contributions. OTT’s mandate is clear and the potential for impact is immense. We need bright minds and creative thinkers to help maximize outcomes over the next year and beyond.
Objectives
Throughout the appointment, you will develop a broad understanding of the energy industry, the technical needs and opportunities for energy technologies, and the commercialization impacts of various program, policy, and regulatory decisions. You will have an opportunity to collaborate with experts at the DOE, national labs, and industry leaders across the energy value chain to help analyze and overcome key commercialization barriers to various energy technologies. You will help shape the OTT's agenda and enable collaborations across the Commercialization Programs, Technology Transfer Policy, and Market Analysis teams. You will also support the development of the OTT's strategic plan and other programmatic activities.
What Will I Be Doing?
With guidance from a mentor, you may have an opportunity to:
- Deepen your understanding of clean energy technologies and markets both through direct engagement as well as through attendance at various brown bags, briefings, or other meetings.
- Support the development of new programs leveraging prize and other funding mechanisms to maximize the positive commercial outcomes of OTT’s budget.
- Collaborate with numerous technical leads from multiple DOE technology offices to facilitate policy and program execution, identifying ways OTT can address challenges, fill gaps, and facilitate efficient and effective policy and program execution.
- Participate in expert, external reviews of funding applications and help develop selection recommendations to office leadership.
- Collaborate on the development of white papers on various energy technology commercialization-related topics.
- Prepare and present briefings to upper management, external offices, or Congressional staff.
- Develop analysis projects related to tracking the commercialization impacts of OTT and other commercialization programming within DOE.
- Contribute to OTT’s efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) across its efforts and programs.
- Participate in various energy technology commercialization conferences and workshops.
- Propose new initiatives or program improvements to enhance office decision-making or otherwise advance the OTT mission of energy technology commercialization.
About the Office of Technology Transitions
The mission of OTT is to expand the commercial impact of the research investments of the DOE and to focus on commercializing technologies that support the missions of the Department, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. OTT provides the necessary coordination, oversight, and funding programs to facilitate the commercialization of impactful energy technologies throughout the Department. OTT works closely with the Department’s numerous energy technology offices as well as a range of private organizations relevant to commercialization (business incubators, large corporations, investors, national labs, etc.) to develop and implement activities that increase the number of innovative and impactful energy technologies transitioning to the marketplace. These activities expand the commercial impact of DOE’s research, enhance the economic growth of the US, and improve the health of the planet. Read more: https://www.energy.gov/technologytransitions/office-technology-transitions
Nature of the Appointment
The participant will not enter into an employee/employer relationship with ORISE, ORAU, the DOE, or any other office or agency. Instead, the participant will be affiliated with ORISE for the administration of the appointment through the ORISE appointment letter and Terms of Appointment.