Diversity is Key

Scientific discovery is a team effort. Researchers, engineers, and technical and business professionals support achievements in science and technology by helping to manage and operate research projects and facilities. We believe the teams required to solve the nation's most pressing scientific challenges are those that combine a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.

Research Student Internships (RSI) Program Details

• Appointments are for 10-12 weeks during the summer, with the option for a 12 month appointment available for recent graduates. 
• Participants are expected to participate full-time each week. 
• Appointments will start on May 27, 2025. Appointments will end on August 1, 2025. Dates for individual appointments may be flexible to account for academic calendars. For participants with conflicts that are not academic calendar related, they may elect to start on June 2, 2025, and end on August 8, 2025.
• Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant.
• Appointments will be conducted on-site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 

A few helpful tips before you start an application:

• Review the science areas at ORNL to determine what best fits your career goals. You will find the eight science discipline areas by clicking 'Science Areas' at www.ornl.gov.
  • For example, if you choose Clean Energy, you will find a variety of news, current research highlights, and more. You can explore other research areas, or related links and organizations to identify your areas of interest and key words, important terminology, papers, etc. that can be used as you answer application questions or update your resume.
  • Type a key word about your research interests into the search box at the top right corner on www.ornl.gov and follow the links provided to identify key researchers at ORNL and/or the webpages of the related directorates or divisions.  For example, typing “Environmental Science” leads to the link for the Environmental Sciences Division.
  • You will find general contacts and can access many of the Division or User Facility pages under "Our People". 
• After you have completed your application, reach out via email to the researchers of interest you have identified (use the Contact - Find People - Staff Directory link at www.ornl.gov to enter a name and obtain an email address).
  • Tell them about your background and describe how your career objectives and interests relate to their research.
  • Include an updated resume/CV in the email and let them know which programs you have applied to at ORNL.
  • Showing initiative by reaching out to discuss your passion for science and research is a great way to introduce yourself to potential mentors. This personal connection can be the key to “standing out” from other applications. The RSI programs use "pool" based application postings where multiple mentors will consider candidates with a variety of interests for different educational project opportunities, so this can be a critical step for selection success.

Citizenship

Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) at the time of application.

Eligibility Requirements (Note: Postdoctoral students are not eligible for the RSI program)

To be considered for this opportunity, applicants must:

• Meet one of three criteria noted below:
  • Applicants may be currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in a degree-seeking program at an accredited college or university (including accredited community colleges) at the time of application. 
    • Applicants must have completed at least one semester (or academic quarter, if applicable) and at least 12 credit hours toward a degree at the time of application.
    • Graduate students must have completed at least one semester (or academic quarter, if applicable) and at least 12 credit hours toward their graduate degree at the time of application.
  • Applicants may also be a recent graduate (associate/bachelor/master) from an accredited institution. The time period between receipt of an undergraduate or graduate degree and starting the RSI appointment must be two years or less.
  • Applicants may be a veteran of the United States Armed Services who has received their DD-214 no more than four (4) years prior to the start date of the internship (to be verified with a DD Form 214 and a high school diploma or GED)
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale at the time of application (undergraduate and graduate combined OR graduate GPA alone) 
• Be at least 18 years of age

Application Review and Appointment Offer Process

• Applications are reviewed directly by ORNL researchers with an available project.
• Selections and appointment offers will be made on a rolling basis starting on or around March 6, 2025.
• Selected applicants must respond to their offer within seven (7) days of receipt of the offer.

During the Appointment

Appointments require a commitment to the research program at ORNL. The participant's research must be conducted in a manner and according to a time schedule that meets the overall research needs of ORNL.

• Participant Obligations
  • All RSI participants are required to submit an appointment reflection and develop a final presentation (poster or Powerpoint) at the end of the program.
  • Participants may also have the opportunity to collaborate on manuscripts and/or to join conferences, poster sessions, and other opportunities to present or publish their research.
• Stipend (paid biweekly) 
  • Participants receive a biweekly stipend. Stipend payments and housing allowances are taxable as an educational provision. There will be a delay after starting before you receive your first stipend. You should be prepared to cover all personal expenses for the first 30 days of your appointment.
    • $750 per week for undergraduate students, recent graduates (Associate's), or recently separated veterans with high school diploma/GED
    • $850 per week for recent graduates (Bachelor’s)
    • $950 per week for graduate students or recent graduates (Master’s)
• Housing Allowance (paid biweekly with stipend)
  • A housing allowance of $250 per week will be provided to participants.
• Travel
  • Eligible participants whose permanent address is more than 50 miles from Oak Ridge, Tennessee may receive a travel reimbursement of up to $1,000 for round-trip transportation expenses to and from ORNL.

Contingencies

All awards and active participation in the program are contingent upon security access approval to Oak Ridge National Laboratory, agreement with the Terms of Appointment, and completion of all contingencies in the offer letter. All contingencies of an appointment offer must be met before the applicant can begin an appointment.

• Participants are subject to DOE clearance approval for laboratory access.

• Participants are required to have coverage under a health insurance plan for the duration of the appointment period and must provide proof of such coverage. It is your responsibility to secure insurance coverage before arriving at the appointment site.

The application will require:

• Profile information
• Educational details (i.e. dates of attendance/graduation, GPAs, majors, etc.)
• Relevant Experience
• Awards and honors
• Statement of Purpose: goals, experience, skills, and personal information
• Research areas of interest
• An updated resume or CV, 2 page limit (.pdf upload)
• Academic records - For this opportunity, an unofficial transcript or copy of academic records may be submitted showing name, school name, current/enrolled classes, and GPA (.pdf upload). If selected for the opportunity, applicants must provide an official university document confirming academic status.
• One Recommendation - The application will be considered incomplete and will not be eligible for review and consideration until one recommendation is received. Applicants will provide contact information for recommenders, including current email addresses. Applicants are encouraged to request multiple recommendations and begin contacting recommenders immediately upon submitting an application. Recommendation letters will be uploaded in Zintellect and should address the applicant’s academic record and potential for success in a STEM internship, as indicated by intellectual merit, research/technical, communication, and teamwork skills. Recommenders cannot be a family member. The first recommendation received via Zintellect will meet the program requirement.

All documents must be submitted via Zintellect. All application components must be completed and received in the system in order to be considered.

For questions, undergraduate students and recent associate's/bachelor's graduates should contact ORNL-USO@orise.orau.gov, and graduate students and recent master's graduates should contact ORNL-GSO@orise.orau.gov. 

• Citizenship: LPR or U.S. Citizen
• Degree: High School Diploma/GED, Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, Master's Degree, or Doctoral Degree received within the last 24 months or currently pursuing.
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.00
• Discipline(s):
  • Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
  • Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (17 )
  • Earth and Geosciences (21 )
  • Engineering (27 )
  • Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
  • Life Health and Medical Sciences (48 )
  • Mathematics and Statistics (11 )
  • Physics (16 )
  • Science & Engineering-related (2 )
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (29 )
• Age: Must be 18 years of age
• Veteran Status: Veterans Preference, degree received within the last 120 month(s).

I certify that all information I have provided is correct and accurate to the best of my knowledge.

I also confirm that one of the following is true:

• I am currently enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in a degree-seeking program at an accredited college or university (including accredited community colleges) at the time of application.
• I am a recent associate's, bachelor's, or master's graduate from an accredited institution (including recent graduates currently enrolled or planning to enroll in graduate studies). The time period between receipt of an undergraduate or graduate degree and starting the RSI appointment must be two years or less.
• I am a veteran of the United States Armed Services who has received or will receive a DD-214 form no more than four years from the start date of the of appointment period.