Job Details

Overview

Joint position for the USU JQL Institute for Land, Water, and Air and the Utah Governor's Office of Energy Development (OED). The position of of Energy Policy and Research Strategist (Gigawatt Fellow) is a temporary, two-year position, with the possibility of extending for one more year, contingent on funding. The JQL Institute for Land, Water, and Air is unable to offer a visa sponsorship. Must be authorized to work in the U.S for the duration of employment.

Utah's energy future depends on responsibly managing the tradeoffs of each electricity generation source, rather than prescribing a single scenario. The Gigawatt Fellow will further Utah's any-of-the-above electricity strategy by approaching generation with a technology-neutral assessment of potential reliability, affordability, cleanliness, and security tradeoffs. The primary goal of this position is to take the Energy Tradeoffs Matrix in ILWAs 2025 Report to the Governor and substantially expand it in rigor, scope, and data-driven depth. This work will contribute to the larger national energy conversation, setting the standard for how states responsibly evaluate energy development in an era of growth and system transformation.

The ideal candidate brings expertise and proven experience from fields such as energy development and production, policy analysis, and environmental science along with strategic judgement, excellent interpersonal skills, and ability to navigate complex issues. This job requires an ability to interpret highly technical information and data, then translate it into practical, visually compelling, and relatable briefs, papers, and presentations to a legislative audience. This position is eligible for hybrid work within the state of Utah.

Responsibilities

Research and Analysis (50%)

• Expand the ILWA Energy Tradeoffs Matrix by:
  
  • Incorporating quantitative metrics, uncertainty ranges and explanations, and lifecycle considerations into the matrix.
  • Creating and implementing transparent analytical methodologies for assessing each generation resource.
  • Applying Utah-specific geographic, transmission, water use, and regulatory context.
  • Integrating with existing OED efforts in energy planning and system modeling to expand the matrix into the foundation for state energy planning and policy development.
• Provide in-depth analysis of electricity generation tradeoffs including:
  
  • Land use and siting constraints.
  • Water use, hydrologic impacts, and water quality.
  • Air emissions and environmental impact.
  • Cost structure (operational, capital, and systemic).
  • Generation capability, reliability assessments, and grid impact.
  • System infrastructure requirement and transmission implications.
• Reinforce all assessments with academically defensible analysis, drawing on peer-reviewed literature, university and national lab partners, and primary industry data where appropriate.

Policy Engagement and Relationship Building (40%)

• Co-produce two year-end Reports to the Governor with OED and ILWA, summarizing key findings across the matrix dimensions.
• Develop a series of interim policy briefs that distill ongoing insights for legislators, state officials, and stakeholders.
• Present and participate in public-facing events to share findings, including presenting on the annual reports during an annual presentation.
• Serve as the keystone of increased collaboration between OED, ILWA, and USU through:
  
  • Monthly coordination meetings alternating between Logan and Salt Lake City locations.
  • Engagement with USU's academic departments including the College of Engineering, Center for Anticipatory Intelligence, and others as needed.

Project Management (10%)

• Operate with a high degree of autonomy, initiating and managing research projects from conception to delivery with minimal supervision. Be a self-starter and finisher.
• Support an annual research agenda strategically aligned with anticipated legislative cycles and for emerging energy policy needs in the state of Utah.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in energy systems, engineering, environmental science, public policy, energy economics, or a related field and 8 years of progressively responsible experience in energy policy analysis, legislative research, and/or regulatory affairs OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience conducting energy, environmental or infrastructure analysis.
• Demonstrated experience producing whitepapers, journal articles or literature reviews.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering engaging and informative presentations to the general public and/or policy maker audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with lifecycle assessments, comparative infrastructure assessments, or techno-economic analysis.
• Demonstrated experience translating academic research for policymakers and the public.
• Demonstrated energy modeling or systems modeling expertise.
• Demonstrated familiarity with electricity generation technologies.
• Demonstrated familiarity with electrical grid operations.
• Demonstrated familiarity with electricity markets, including developing markets in the western United States.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilites

• Expert written and verbal communication skills, including comfort working across a range of stakeholders from academic to legislative to industry.
• Ability to synthesize technical, economic and policy considerations in analytical frameworks.
• Knowledge of Utah water constraints and land-use considerations.
• Knowledge of Utah air emissions considerations and regulations.

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under "Resume/CV".

2. Names and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile. Letters of Recommendation will be collected for finalist candidates.

3. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary

Minimum $110,000 commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits

ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah's premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State's 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies' long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women's volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women's soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university's ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) ###-#### or ...@usu.edu.

*updated 12/2025

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU's non-discrimination policies:

Matthew Pinner

Executive Director

Civil Rights & Title IX Office

...@usu.edu

435-###-#### | Old Main Rm. 401D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

Cody Carmichael

Title IX Coordinator

...@usu.edu

435-###-#### | Old Main Rm. 402D

1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-###-####| ...@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-###-#### | ...@ed.gov

*updated 10/2025