$2.78B

FY 2023 funding

6,500+

employees

3,200+

guest researchers 

annually

75+

nationalities

represented in

ORNL’s workforce

2

Nobel 

Prizes

2,600+

FY 2023 scientific

journal publications

260+

postdocs across 

the lab in FY2023

Contributed to the

discovery of

10

elements (61, 104–106, 

and 113–118)

Big Science. Big Opportunity.

Postdoctoral Program

OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY

Launch an Exciting Career in Science and Engineering

For 80 years, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has helped shape the world with discoveries in biology and environment, 

clean energy, fusion and fission, isotopes, materials, national security, neutron science, and supercomputing. ORNL offers 

dedicated mentors, world-leading scientific resources, and professional development opportunities to outstanding postdoctoral 

researchers, who work across the Laboratory in all our research directorates. 

Apply at jobs.ornl.gov
Spallation Neutron Source

and High Flux Isotope Reactor

Two of the world’s most intense neutron sources 

Solve Big Problems with International Impact

As a postdoctoral researcher at ORNL, you will have the opportunity to work with and be mentored by world-class scientists and 

engineers. You will work to solve today's tough scientific and engineering challenges while having an international impact.

World-Leading Equipment and Facilities

Frontier

The world’s most powerful supercomputer and the first to 

break the exascale barrier

Manufacturing

Demonstration Facility

A state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility where 

researchers can 3D-print almost anything

Materials: ORNL and university 

collaborators used neutron 

scattering and other advanced 

characterization techniques to 

study how a widely used catalyst 

enables the water–gas shift 

reaction to purify and generate 

hydrogen at an industrial scale.

Clean Energy: ORNL and 

Gate Precast demonstrated that 

3D-printed molds are more 

durable than traditional ones 

in producing precast concrete 

facades for a 42-story building at 

the Domino Sugar Factory site in 

New York.

Fusion and Fission: ORNL 

has developed MiniFuel, a 

miniature irradiation vehicle for 

rapid nuclear fuel experiments. 

Conventional fuel test pellets 

have volumes more than 1,000 

times the size of MiniFuel’s 

pinhead-size fuel kernels.

Biology and Environment: 

ORNL leads convergence 

research in biology, ecology, 

engineering, data discovery, 

physical sciences, and computing 

to advance US competitiveness in 

the global bioeconomy and Earth 

system sustainability.

Neutron Science: Using the 

Spallation Neutron Source, ORNL 

researchers observed crystalline 

ice phases, enabling them to 

challenge previous theories 

about supercooled water and 

noncrystalline ice and promote 

better understanding of various 

ice phases found in outer space. 

Supercomputing: Using 

ORNL's Summit supercomputer, 

scientists simulated the spread 

of aerosols throughout a model 

elementary school classroom 

layout to determine the best types 

of ventilation for such spaces and 

understand how social distancing 

requirements affect disease 

transmission indoors.

Isotopes: NASA's Perseverance 

rover, which started exploring 

the Mars in early 2021, is 

powered by ORNL-produced 

plutonium-238. The rover's 

radioisotope thermoelectric 

generator uses plutonium-238 

decay to generate heat, which is 

converted to electricity to power 

lithium-ion batteries

National Security: Using ORNL’s

Vehicle Security Laboratory, 

researchers are pioneering a set of

algorithms and technology that will

detect a cyberattack on a moving 

vehicle and alert the driver.
ORNL is a sustaining member of the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA), which entitles our postdocs to 

individual NPA membership. For more information, visit nationalpostdoc.org.

Total Rewards and Amenities

Combined with competitive salaries, ORNL offers employees and their families a comprehensive and valuable benefits 

program. ORNL also has numerous on-site amenities that make life more convenient. 

Competitive salaries

Bonuses and awards

Flexible work schedule

Professional society membership dues

Cell phone discount

Club ORNL discounts

HP discount

Apple discount

Employee club sports

Medical plan (dental, vision, HSA)

Educational assistance

Life insurance

Legal insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Generous vacation and holidays

Wellness programs

Disability benefits

Pet insurance

Medical clinic

Bank

Coffee shop

Cafeteria

Gym

Exercise classes

Walking/running trails

Pay & Perks Benefits Amenities

Learn More: www.ornl.gov/who-we-are

Ideal Location

Located near the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, ORNL’s campus is just 

1 hour away from the nation's most visited national park. Within a day’s drive 

of all major cities on the East Coast, ORNL provides the best of both worlds: 

proximity to the great outdoors and growing urban centers with diverse 

cultural attractions. The city of Oak Ridge has 150 miles of shoreline for water 

recreation, rowing, and boating. Nearby Knoxville is home to the thriving 

research campus of the University of Tennessee and a historic downtown 

known for its dining, theaters, shopping, and cultural and music festivals.

In addition, East Tennessee is affordable, with a cost of living 8% lower than the 

national average* and no state income tax. It is one of the safest areas in the 

United States and has excellent school systems. Oak Ridge Schools is a top 

rated school system in Tennessee and maintains various STEM certifications.

* According to data provided by erieri.com on 1/1/2023.

ORNL Postdoctoral Association

ORNL has an active postdoc association that fosters a sense of community among our postdoctoral 

research staff and connects our postdocs to the community outside ORNL. The Oak Ridge 

Postdoctoral Association (ORPA) advocates for the postdoctoral community with ORNL leadership; 

facilitates career development; plans well-being and social events; and creates opportunities, 

such as the annual postdoc research symposium, for postdocs and scientists across the 

Laboratory to interact and share information.

ORPA accomplishes its activities through an Executive Committee (ORPEX) whose 

members head the New Hire, Social, Outreach, and Research committees. ORPEX 

members also lead communication, advocacy, and cross-lab networking and collaboration 

initiatives and develop onboarding resources for postdocs. ORNL encourages all postdocs to 

be active in ORPA. To reach the current Executive Committee, email ORPEX@ornl.gov. 
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

Questions? Contact recruiting@ornl.gov

Apply at www.ornl.gov/postdoc

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

Find your Big Science Opportunity

with a postdoctoral appointment at ORNL!

22-G03107 October 2023

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified candidates, including individuals with 

disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. ORNL is an E-Verify employer.

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

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

My postdoc position at ORNL offered me 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

My work as a postdoc at Spallation Neutron Source 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