Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Dean's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

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 November 30, 2026 .

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 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. Here are some questions to consider when approaching a potential faculty mentor.

We are looking for Fellows who:

• Explore emerging topics in sustainability
• Demonstrate engagement through leadership, mentorship, teaching and service
• Have plans to pursue a career in the professoriate

Fellows receive: 

• $85,000 for up to two years
• $10,000 research funds/year
• Immersion into the intellectual life of their departments and programs across the university
• Professional development programming
• PI mentorship to prepare for a professoriate career
• Opportunity to engage in postdoc fellows symposium and seminars

Apply here:

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 about the Doerr School Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship, please feel free to contact us at View email address on us.fitly.work . 

All are welcome to apply. Candidates will be evaluated based on research excellence, leadership and engagement, and the potential for a faculty mentor to support the candidate’s research and professional goals.

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.