Emmett Institute Fellowship in Environmental Law and Policy 2026-2028

UCLA School of Law's Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment is now accepting applications for the UCLA Emmett/Frankel Fellowship in Environmental Law and Policy for the academic years 2026-2028. This is a full-time two-year fellowship beginning in the summer of 2026. The position involves research and writing in the law and policy of climate change and the environment; teaching; and assisting with Institute projects such as conferences and workshops.

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. Fellows typically work on projects related to climate change, natural resource conservation, environmental justice, pollution control, land use, international environmental governance, and other topics related to environmental law and policy. Fellows also assist the Institute's directors with projects that advance the Institute's work, including by organizing conferences, workshops, public education and outreach efforts, and other events. In addition to these responsibilities, which will continue year-round, Fellows sometimes take on teaching responsibilities.

The specific configuration of responsibilities for the successful candidate will be developed in consultation with UCLA Law faculty and the Emmett Institute's Executive Director.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess a J.D. earned within the past several years; a strong academic record; excellent analytical and writing skills; and demonstrated interest and background in environmental or energy law and policy. Previous experience in law practice or clinical instruction is helpful but not necessary. Scientific, technical, or economic skills related to public policy analysis are helpful but not necessary qualifications. 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, limited-term, 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.

Program: https://law.ucla.edu/academics/centers/emmett-institute-climate-change-environment/

J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school

• 3-5 required (contact information only)

Names and contact information for at least three professional references.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.
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  UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment