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Research Attorney Oil Refineries, School of Law

School of Law, Stanford, California, United States

New

Administration

Post Date 8 hours ago

Requisition # 106959

NOTE: This position has been deemed critical/has specific funding, has been approved by the Law School for posting, and is exempt from the hiring freeze.

Research Attorney for Oil Refineries Transition Team

The Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Program (ENRLP) of Stanford Law School and the Climate and Energy Policy Program (CEPP) at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment within the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability invite applications for a Research Attorney to join our Oil Refineries Transition project team. The attorney will become part of a thriving community of policy scholars, researchers, and postdocs based in the Law School, reporting to ENRLP and CEPP leadership. This position reports to faculty leadership from both Programs.

This full-time position is crafted for attorneys with a strong interest in the implications of climate and energy policy design and implementation for environmental justice, energy affordability, and climate resilience during the transition to a decarbonized energy system. It offers a hands-on opportunity to apply your legal skills and expertise to address active climate and energy policy challenges in California and beyond. This work will build on Stanford’s track record of policy engagement on these issues and deepen partnerships with policy stakeholders.

The Research Attorney will lead legal and policy analysis to support constructive solutions to (1) the changing need for refinery infrastructure in a context of transportation electrification, (2) the impacts of refineries operations and their unfunded closure and cleanup costs on neighboring communities, (3) the need for options for planned phasedown of legacy downstream oil infrastructure and redevelopment of sites currently occupied by the industry. This work is fast-paced and evolving rapidly as refineries announce their transition plans and as state and local policymakers respond in real time to these developments.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter who can work independently and also collaborate well with interdisciplinary project teams. We regularly engage with policymakers, community groups, and other external partners to ensure our products are maximally relevant to active policy processes. The Research Attorney will produce whitepapers or other reports analyzing policy options and recommendations and, as appropriate, present findings to external partners and the public through webinars. We also anticipate that the Research Attorney will assist in organizing and teaching multidisciplinary Policy Practicums for law, graduate, and undergraduate students; oversee work by student research assistants; and aid with funding proposals where appropriate.

General Core Duties:

+ Oversee and administer research and policy analysis and make recommendations for potential collaborations and how to prioritize research initiatives.

+ Collect, track and evaluate policy developments at the state and federal level, formulate and evaluate solutions and recommendations. Produce white papers or other reports analyzing policy.

+ May teach policy labs/practicums or deliver lectures and webinars.

+ Represent the program as a key contact and subject matter expert and develop communications for internal and external constituencies. Organize and/or participate in outreach activities such as events, partnerships, training, and conferences. Assist with the development of research grants or funding proposals.

+ Oversee legal or research assistants.

Applicants should have:

+ A J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school(with membership in the California bar strongly preferred)

+ At least two years (but preferably 3 or more) of post-JD working experience in the legal profession or policy space

+ Demonstrated oral, written, and analytical skills

+ Strong academic credentials, excellent writing and editing abilities, interpersonal and teamwork skills, and a collaborative spirit

+ A commitment to community engagement and service

+ Strong organizational/management skills, attention to detail, self-motivation, and aptitude for working with students and diverse policy stakeholders

+ Sound judgment and exceptional ethical standards in serving as a trusted source for evidence-based analysis and policy engagement.

Applicants should submit a cover letter summarizing their interest in these positions and relevant experience, a resume, a writing sample, a list of three professional references, and a transcript through http://stanfordcareers.stanford.edu/, referencing job number106959. Applications should be submitted as soon as possible and will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Applicants must be available to start no later than October 1, 2025.

**This position is for a one-year fixed term** , with the possibility for extension subject to funding availability.The attorney is expected to work primarily in person at Stanford Law School in order to interact with team members and graduate students.

The expected pay range for this position is $88,861 to $102,254 per annum.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website ( **https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards** ) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Stanford seeks to hire the best talent and to promote a safe and secure environment for all members of the university community and its property. To that end, new staff hires must successfully pass a background check prior to starting work at the University.

Additional Information

+ **Schedule: Full-time**

+ **Job Code: 4111**

+ **Employee Status: Fixed-Term**

+ **Grade: H**

+ **Requisition ID: 106959**

+ **Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible**