Fellowship Title: Hydrogen Shot Fellow

Open Period: Currently open. Open until filled.

Term Length: Up to five years (undergraduate or graduate student participation does not count toward this five-year limit).

Description/Duties:

In 2021 the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the Energy Earthshots Initiative aimed at accelerating breakthroughs of more abundant, affordable, and reliable clean energy solutions within the decade. The first Energy Earthshot—Hydrogen Shot—seeks to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen by 80% to $1 per 1 kilogram in 1 decade ("1 1 1"). Achieving the Hydrogen Shot's cost goal will create more clean energy jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and position America to compete in the clean energy market on a global scale.

As the lead coordinating across the DOE Hydrogen Program, EERE's Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) will play a key role in this effort and is launching a Hydrogen Shot Opportunity to recruit diverse talent that can contribute to achieve Hydrogen Shot. HFTO funds research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies across multiple sectors enabling innovation, a strong domestic economy, and a clean, equitable energy future. Research programs within HFTO include Hydrogen Technologies, Fuel Cell Technologies, Technology Acceleration, and Systems Analysis. The Hydrogen Shot Fellows will engage with one or more programs or functional areas (e.g., operations, communications, stakeholder engagement) within HFTO and focus on activities to tackle key challenges and to make the Hydrogen Shot a reality. HFTO plans to bring in 1–2 Hydrogen Shot Fellows per fiscal year, depending on needs and funding available from individual HFTO programs or functional areas. 

Details of programmatic areas in search of a fellow include:

• Hydrogen Technologies Program: HFTO's Hydrogen Technologies Program is looking for Hydrogen Shot Fellows to focus on clean hydrogen production and infrastructure technologies research and development. Key areas of RDD&D within the Hydrogen Production subprogram include various electrolysis technologies, as well as solar thermochemical, photoelectrochemical, and biological processes. Key areas of RDD&D within the Infrastructure subprogram include materials compatibility with hydrogen, hydrogen liquefaction, pipelines, tube trailers, physical and materials-based hydrogen storage, and technologies used at hydrogen fueling stations, such as compressors, storage vessels, dispensers, and cryopumps. There is a strong interest in candidates with experience in electrolysis for hydrogen production, as low-cost hydrogen from electrolysis will be key to meeting the Hydrogen Shot goal of $1/kg in one decade.
• Fuel Cell Technologies Program: HFTO's Fuel Cell Technologies Program is looking for a Hydrogen Shot Fellow to focus on reversible fuel cells for power generation and energy storage applications, as well as polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells for medium- and heavy-duty transportation applications. There is a strong interest in candidates with experience in fuel cell materials, components, stacks, and systems.
• Technology Acceleration Program: HFTO's Technology Acceleration Program is looking for a Hydrogen Shot Fellow that will be engaged in the roll-out and management of hydrogen and fuel cell technology demonstration efforts. This fellow's work will also involve collaborating on efforts in component manufacturing and safety, codes, and standards. These technology demonstrations will span a wide range of hydrogen end uses, including (1) grid energy storage and power generation; (2) transportation and hydrogen fueling demonstrations, such as heavy-duty trucks and marine vessels; and (3) decarbonizing chemical and industrial processes, such as steel and ammonia production, by integrating green hydrogen.
• Systems Analysis Program: HFTO's Systems Analysis Program is looking for a Hydrogen Shot Fellow to engage in critical review of analyses; stakeholder engagement to inform analysis priorities; development of briefing materials; and coordination of analysis efforts across HFTO and with other DOE offices. Systems Analysis funds cross-cutting analyses that inform RDD&D priorities by characterizing the value proposition of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies in emerging applications (e.g., steelmaking, chemicals, energy storage, and heavy-duty transportation) and by assessing the life cycle emissions and technical and cost barriers to market adoption for various applications.

General Activities include:

Hydrogen Shot Fellows will learn about and engage in critical aspects of HFTO’s mission while supporting Hydrogen Shot-related activities, which may include:

• Conducting technical reviews of Hydrogen Shot projects funded by HFTO
• Drafting documents summarizing program strategy and accomplishments
• Organizing workshops and conferences to solicit feedback from expert stakeholders
• Identifying priority areas of research for future program activities
• Giving presentations at conferences and events to solicit stakeholder feedback on program activities.

Fellows will learn how to manage projects, including monitoring progress and milestones, reviewing and analyzing progress reports and other technical reports, and communicating with researchers to address questions and issues that arise.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Required to Perform the Work/Specialized Experience:

View program eligibility requirements.

Three levels of participation provide opportunities to a range of experience levels from recent graduates to experienced scientists and engineers to participate in the program.

Additional Details:

Selected fellows will receive a stipend as support for their living and other expenses during this appointment. Stipend rates are determined by EERE officials and are based on the candidate's academic and professional background. Relocation expenses (not to exceed $5,000) may be reimbursed if the address shown on the application is more than 50 miles from Washington, D.C. Participants will receive a travel allowance of up to $10,000 per appointment year to cover travel-related expenses to scientific and professional development activities. This opportunity is available to U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR).

Learn more about the EERE Science, Technology and Policy Program.

Fellows will not enter 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.