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Postdoctoral Program

Launch an Exciting Career in Science and Engineering

For 80 years, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has helped shape our world with discoveries in advanced materials, clean energy, national security, neutron science, nuclear science and engineering, and supercomputing. ORNL hosts world-leading equipment and facilities that scientists from around the globe can use for their research. 

ORNL offers dedicated mentors, world-leading scientific resources, and professional development opportunities to well-qualified PhD students and outstanding early-career scientists or engineers. Appointment length is 24 months with the potential for extension.

Solve Big Problems with International Impact

As a postdoctoral researcher at ORNL, you’ll help create solutions in today’s most influential research areas.

Advanced Materials

Biology and Environment

Clean Energy

Isotopes

National Security

Nuclear Science

Neutron Science

Supercomputing

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$2.78B
in annual funding
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75+
nationalities represented in the ORNL workforce
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2,600+
scientific publications per year
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260+
postdocs in FY2023 across the lab
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2
Nobel prizes

See what our alumni are saying about their postdoc experience at ORNL:

Spano

"I enjoyed being a postdoc at ORNL because it is culturally diverse and located in a beautiful and affordable area with lots to do, and because I had the opportunity to learn from and collaborate with leading scientists and visiting researchers from around the world. Nowhere else could I spend my day shooting lasers and x-rays at uranium materials to gain new insights and solve challenging problems related to its fundamental chemistry while being exposed to new science, fresh ideas, and potential connections for my next career step."

—Tyler Spano, Nuclear Security Scientist, ORNL

Roy

"During my time as a postdoc at ORNL, I got the opportunity to work with some of the best minds in my field of research. Their curiosity in science and willingness to answer fundamental questions has driven me to understand research more profoundly. As the president of ORPA, I had a unique learning opportunity while interacting with my fellow postdoctoral colleagues, inside and outside the lab, and the ORNL administration."

—Indranil Roy, Lead Scientist, Materials Science and Engineering, General Electric Research

Talukdar

"My postdoc position at ORNL offered me the opportunity to build a strong network with a diverse group of scientists, which will help me in my long-term career in research. I enjoyed the positive working environment, collaboration opportunities, and the natural beauty of Tennessee."

—Biva Talukdar, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Lotshaw

As a postdoc at ORNL, I have contributed to research in a new field that is much different from my PhD experience and is a hot topic of current research. Through this experience, I have developed the expertise to contribute in this field and compete for jobs across the world."

—Phil Lotshaw, Research Scientist, ORNL

Aduloju

"My work as a postdoc in the Fusion Energy Division allowed me to work in multidisciplinary teams and afforded me the opportunity to learn from leading scientists and engineers. I gained new perspectives and developed new expertise to contribute to the design of safe and efficient nuclear fusion technologies."

—Sunday Aduloju, Blanket, Fuel Cycle, and Fusion Engineer, ORNL

Song

My work as a postdoc at Spallation Neutron Sources allowed me to apply powerful neutron techniques to study battery materials. This invaluable experience enhanced my skill set and really allowed me to find a job in industry, where I could apply my knowledge to solve real-world problems."

—Bohang Song, Senior Chemist, BASF Corporation