Learn more about the ORNL Distinguished Staff Fellowship program, including eligibility, application materials, selection timelines, mentorship, and the fellowship experience. Review these answers before applying, and consult the current position announcement for cycle-specific requirements and deadlines.
About the Program
Distinguished Staff Fellows join ORNL as independent, early-career research staff. Fellowship funding supports the first three years of employment and is intended to help fellows establish a research portfolio and prepare for a long-term career at ORNL. Continued employment beyond the fellowship period depends on mutual benefit to the fellow and the laboratory. A postdoctoral appointment is temporary.
No. Submit one application to the Distinguished Staff Fellowship program. ORNL assigns the Russell, Weinberg, or Wigner designation to selected candidates based on their research areas.
No. You do not need to name an ORNL mentor in your application. It can be helpful to identify relevant ORNL research groups and contact staff whose work aligns with your proposal. List pertinent research groups in the significance section of your research statement.
Eligibility
No. You may apply before completing your PhD, but you must complete all degree requirements before your start date. Follow the timing requirement in the active position announcement.
Applicants must hold, or be on track to receive, a PhD or equivalent terminal degree in a STEM field and must fall within the program’s five-year limit from the highest terminal technical degree. ORNL also considers scientific excellence, leadership, the ability to develop new research directions, and the strength and relevance of the proposed research.
Current ORNL postdoctoral researchers and current ORNL employees are not eligible. Former ORNL interns, graduate research participants, scholars, postdoctoral researchers, and employees may apply if they otherwise meet the program requirements.
Application Materials
When an application window is open, select Apply Now on the program website and submit your application through ORNL Jobs. The position announcement provides the controlling deadline and submission instructions.
Ask three recommenders to send their letters directly to [email protected] during the application window. Letters should be addressed to the Distinguished Staff Fellowship Selection Committee and use a subject line that includes your name. Only the first three letters received will be accepted. Letters from a previous ORNL application cannot be transferred to a new opening.
You may submit one proposal per application window. You may submit a different proposal during a later cycle.
Timing and selection
The program generally opens application windows during January, May, and September. Each cycle lasts about one month. Check the current position announcement for exact dates and the deadline time.
The selection process includes several levels of review and a full interview process for finalists. The program aims to notify candidates of their status within six weeks after the application window closes, but timing can vary.
ORNL negotiates start dates with successful candidates. Fellows are strongly encouraged to begin within six months of the offer date and must complete all degree requirements before starting.
Yes. You may apply independently for other appropriate research or postdoctoral positions at ORNL.
The fellowship experience
You will complete laboratory and research-organization orientation and begin meeting with your mentors and line managers. During the first month, fellows develop a separate proposal for Laboratory Directed Research and Development funding. During the second month, fellows work on agreed-upon division or group projects while that proposal is reviewed.
Many fellows continue at ORNL as research staff and later serve as principal investigators, technical contacts, group leaders, or section heads. Alumni also pursue leadership roles in government, research, and industry. The fellowship supports a possible long-term career at ORNL, but continued employment is not guaranteed.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.
