Apply

Apply for a Distinguished Staff Fellowship

ORNL accepts Distinguished Staff Fellowship applications during three cycles each year, generally in January, May, and September. Each application window lasts about one month. Review the eligibility and required materials before beginning your application.

Apply on ORNL Careers

Applications are currently closed. The next cycle is expected in open in January. Return to this page for the position announcement and confirmed deadline.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Have earned a PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a STEM field, or expect to complete all degree requirements before the fellowship begins.
  • Be no more than five years beyond receiving their highest terminal technical degree on the application date.
  • Demonstrate scientific excellence, leadership, the ability to develop new research directions, and alignment with ORNL’s mission.
  • Propose research that addresses an ORNL priority and relates to relevant laboratory programs.

Applicants who have not completed their PhD may apply if they expect to receive the degree within the period stated in the active position announcement. Current ORNL postdoctoral researchers and current ORNL employees are not eligible. Former ORNL interns, scholars, postdoctoral researchers, and employees may apply if they otherwise meet the requirements.

Confirm the final employee-eligibility wording with Human Resources. The September 2026 job posting says current or recent ORNL postdoctoral researchers are ineligible, while the program FAQ and fact sheet say current ORNL postdoctoral researchers.

Required application materials

Submit the following materials by the deadline in the position announcement:

1.  A cover letter addressed to the Distinguished Staff Fellowship Selection Committee.

2.  An unofficial PhD transcript.

3.  A CV or résumé that includes scholarly outputs and distinguishes refereed from nonrefereed work. Include other relevant scientific or technical achievements.

4.  Three letters of recommendation. Recommenders must send their letters directly to [email protected] during the application window and include the applicant’s name in the subject line.

5.  A one-paragraph abstract on a standalone cover page that describes the proposed research for a broad scientific audience.

6.  A research statement of no more than 1,500 words, excluding illustrations and references.

Research statement

Use the research statement to present a clear vision for addressing a major research challenge. Include:

  • The problem, need, or knowledge gap and why it matters
  • The current state of the field, with relevant citations
  • Specific research aims and the questions or steps associated with each aim
  • The approach for each aim, with enough detail for reviewers from different research areas to assess its novelty and suitability
  • The relationship between the proposed work and ORNL programs
  • Alignment with one or more current targeted research directions

Before you submit

  • Use a personal email address that you expect to retain throughout the review and hiring process.
  • Ask recommenders early. Only the first three letters received for an application will be accepted.
  • Submit no more than one proposal during an application cycle.
  • Confirm every requirement and the deadline in the active ORNL Jobs posting.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.