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Recent Graduate Opportunities

Advanced Short-Term Research Opportunity (ASTRO)

The ORNL Advanced Short-Term Research Opportunity Program is a highly selective program and offers challenging short-term research opportunities to recent recipients of master’s and doctoral degrees to conduct research in areas that support ORNL missions in the basic and applied sciences, energy, and environment. Appointments are available in all current research and development programs at the laboratory. There are no citizenship requirements. The program will accept applications at any time. Appointments are for six months and may be renewed one time for up to three months.

Higher Education Research Experiences (HERE) for Students

This program is open to both U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who have completed a BS within the past year. Applications are always accepted; however, the preferred dates are February 1 for summer, June 1 for fall, October 1 for winter/spring. Opportunities are available for 10 to 12 weeks during the summer term; some sabbatical appointments 6 to 12 months, plus some intermittent appointments.  The HERE program is also open to undergraduate, graduate students, and faculty.

Nuclear Engineering Science Laboratory Synthesis (NESLS)

This cooperative research initiative is geared toward students in physics and nuclear engineering. There are no citizenship requirements. Summer applications must be received by March1 for a 10-week appointment.

ORNL Postdoctoral and Post-Master’s Research Associates Program

This program allows recent doctoral and master’s graduates the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research with ORNL principal Investigators. Generally there is no citizenship requirement; however, each position has specific qualifications. Position-specific applications are accepted year-round. Positions are primarily for one-year appointments and may be renewed. A Ph.D. or master’s degree is required, and these positions are primarily for those within five years from their degree award.

Post-Bachelor’s Research Participation Program

This program allows recent bachelor’s degree graduates the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research with ORNL Principal Investigators. At this level, positions are limited to U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents only. Position-specific applications are accepted at any time. Positions are for one-year appointments and may be renewed for one additional year. A Bachelor’s degree is required, and these positions are for those within three years from completion of their degree.

University Radioactive Ion Beam (UNIRIB) Consortium

This program offers opportunities for basic research on rare, short-lived atomic nuclei. There are no citizenship requirements and applications are accepted throughout the year.