In order to spur innovation in solar energy, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is now accepting applications for postdoctoral researchers in solar energy to participate in the EERE Postdoctoral Research Awards. The EERE Postdoctoral Research Awards support research on energy efficiency and renewable energy to help solve our nation’s energy challenges. This year, this exciting program will offer up to five recent Ph.D. recipients the opportunity to conduct applied research projects to advance breakthrough solar energy technologies at universities, national laboratories and other research facilities. Former recipients of the EERE Postdoctoral Research Awards are now faculty and staff scientists at major research institutions and national laboratories.
This research will contribute to the SunShot Initiative goal to make solar energy technologies cost-competitive with traditional energy sources by 2020. Reducing the total installed cost for utility‐scale solar electricity by approximately 75%, from the 2010 baseline, to roughly $0.06 per kWh without subsidies will enable rapid, large‐scale adoption of solar electricity across the United States.

Potential research topics for these awards include behavioral and data science to lower solar electricity cost, systems integration, concentrating solar power, and photovoltaic cells, modules, and materials. The awards will provide a highly competitive two-year stipend with health insurance as well as allowance for travel, relocation, and research expenses. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, complete all requirements for their Ph.D. by May 31, 2015, and have a Ph.D. for no more than five years.
The application period for the EERE Postdoctoral Research Awards closes on May 7, 2015. The awards will be announced in July 2015 for the projects to start in September 2015. Apply today and learn more about former awardees.
Thank you,
Martha Payne, EERE Postdoctoral Research Awards
eerepostdocs@orise.orau.gov