Graduate Research at ORNL (GRO) providesthesis- and dissertation-based graduate students with extended, mentored research appointments at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. These appointments directly support Department of Energy mission priorities.
Unlike term-based internship programs, GRO is structured for students who are actively enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program requiring original research and who seek to conduct a portion of that research in collaboration with ORNL scientists. Appointments are typically longer-term and may span multiple semesters or years, depending on research scope and funding availability.
At ORNL, GRO participants are embedded within research groups and user facilities where they contribute directly to publishable, mission-driven science that supports their thesis or dissertation objectives. The application process differs from that of other ORNL internships: a student must first identify and coordinate with an ORNL mentor and ensure alignment between their academic adviser and the laboratory research project before submitting materials through the GRO program. Participation requires active enrollment in a thesis- or dissertation-based graduate program, and research conducted at ORNL must directly support degree requirements. GRO provides a structured mechanism for integrating university graduate research with ORNL’s advanced facilities, large-scale computing resources, and multidisciplinary scientific teams.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. To begin the application process, you must first find an ORNL mentor.
For general questions about ORNL educational programs, email [email protected].
For questions about GRO eligibility or the application process, email [email protected].
ORNL participates in the SULI program, which is sponsored and managed by the DOE Office of Science Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists in collaboration with DOE national laboratories.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.
