Original posting: Earth System Interventions Fellowship in Environmental Law and Policy 2026-2028 (JPF10747) - UCLA Academic RECRUIT

Position overview

Position title: Earth System Interventions Fellow in Environmental Law and Policy 2026-2028Salary range: See Table 13B at https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t13-b.pdf for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $93,400 per yearApplication Window

Open date: December 3, 2025

Next review date: Sunday, Feb 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Feb 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

UCLA School of Law’s Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment is now accepting applications for the Earth System Interventions Fellowship in Environmental Law and Policy for the academic years 2026-2028. This is a full-time two-year fellowship beginning as soon as July 2026. Within the Emmett Institute’s project on the law and policy of earth system interventions, the fellow will conduct research and analysis on international and domestic legal and policy issues related to proposed climate-altering interventions such as solar radiation modification (SRM). The fellow will also assist with project and Institute activities such as conferences, workshops, and expert working groups.

The Institute

The Emmett Institute is among the leading environmental law programs in the country, with faculty members renowned for their public service, teaching excellence, and scholarship in state, federal, and international law. The Emmett Institute educates future leaders and develops solutions to urgent environmental and environmental justice challenges. Through groundbreaking research and public interest initiatives, the Emmett Institute helps shape climate change and environmental law and policy in California, the United States, and jurisdictions around the world. For more information about the Emmett Institute, please visit https://law.ucla.edu/academics/centers/emmett-institute-climate-change-environment/

The Fellowship

Emmett Fellows work on issues relating to environmental law and policy and will generate policy-oriented publications and other products for the Institute, in collaboration with other UCLA Law faculty.

For 2026, the Emmett Institute is seeking a Fellow to conduct research and legal and policy analysis relevant to proposed active interventions in the Earth and climate systems, including modifications of the Earth’s radiation balance, large-scale removal of atmospheric greenhouse gases, and other interventions such as measures to preserve ice sheets and sea ice or large-scale interventions in ocean processes.

The fellow’s duties will consist principally of individual and collaborative research and writing, with some expected contribution to Emmett Institute projects such as conferences, workshops, and publications, and possible opportunities to teach. This may include:

(i) supporting the development and execution of workshops with policymakers from Latin America and/or other regions;

(ii) supporting working groups of senior experts on cross-cutting research areas, and

(iii) research, writing, and analysis on specific questions of policy import established in conjunction with project faculty.

The specific configuration of responsibilities for the successful candidate will be developed in consultation with Professor Edward Parson and Project Director Nico Esguerra.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess a J.D. or other equivalent degree (such as a Ph.D.) in a field relevant to environment and climate policy; two to five years of post-JD experience (or equivalent); a strong academic record; excellent analytical and writing skills; and demonstrated interest and background in Earth system and climate interventions, science-to-policy processes, climate technology, and/or other frontier climate policy areas informed by emerging science and technology.

UCLA School of Law has a special interest in enriching its intellectual environment through further diversifying the range of perspectives represented within the faculty.

This is a full-time, year-round, non-tenure track, academic position with an expected start date of July 1, 2026. This appointment is subject to the rules and regulations of the Regents of the University of California, which are mostly embodied in The UCLA CALL and the University of California Academic Personnel Manual. (See https://apo.ucla.edu/policies-forms/the-call/an-introduction-to-the-ucla-call; and https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/academic-personnel-policy/index.html).

See Table 13B at https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-july-2025-scales/t13-b.pdf for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $93,400 per year, plus a competitive benefits package.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

J.D. or Ph.D. or equivalent

Application RequirementsDocument requirements

• Cover Letter - A letter discussing your interest, qualifications and/or experience.
• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V. or resume
• Transcript - A transcript of studies
• Writing Sample - A writing sample of no more than ten pages.

UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.

The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows:

• Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles
• Expand our reach as a global university
• Enhance our research and creative activities
• Elevate how we teach
• Become a more effective institution

Prompt for candidates for recruitment:

Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service

Reference requirements

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Names and contact information for at least three professional references.

Apply link: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF10747

Help contact: douvan@law.ucla.edu