Glenn T. Seaborg Institute

Postdoctoral Fellows

The Process

  1. Find a mentor who currently works at ORNL. Feel free to contact a potential mentor from our list of suggestions. 
  2. Apply to the program online.  Search “ORNL GTSI Program.”
  3. Work with your mentor to write a proposal related to the current proposal call.
  4. Send all information required by the job posting to [email protected].

 

Goal

The goal is to advance actinide science in a comprehensive project that ties research with ORNL’s missions.

Mechanism

The Seaborg Initiative obtains funding internally through LDRD and externally from sponsors. The program provides approximately half-time support and a modest amount of M&S funds. The appointments cover a two-year period.

Candidates

Successful candidates must be approved for division funding by the ORNL postdoctoral program and be performing research that is tied to actinide or isotope science. Both US and non-US citizens are eligible to apply, but US citizenship may be required for some research.

Current Job Postings

Uranium Hexafluoride Call

Overview:  

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

 

The Glenn T. Seaborg Institute (GTSI) of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is committed to enhancing and maintaining US capabilities in actinide science and technology by helping to attract, develop, and retain the workforce of actinide scientists to meet the needs of the nation.

 

Topic of Interest

As the United States looks to expand nuclear energy capabilities, the importance of thoroughly understanding the physical and chemical behavior uranium hexafluoride is key, as this is currently the only material enabling enrichment for fuel elements in power reactors. This call focuses on advancing the understanding of the chemistry and materials compatibility behavior of uranium hexafluoride, through the study of its fundamental chemistry and physical properties. Research which considers redox reactions, implications of radiolysis and spectroscopy are of particular interest.

 

Application Process and Eligibility

Applications will be accepted from June 1, 2024, through November 29, 2024, for positions starting in the 2024/25 timeframe, although earlier appointments are possible. Positions will support one postdoc for two years.  Within 2 weeks following completion of your application, please e-mail the following documents to [email protected] . Please note all supporting documents are due no later than November 29 at 5 pm EST.

 

You must first apply for the GTSI postdoctoral fellowship on the ORNL Jobs website. Visit jobs.ornl.gov and search for “ORNL GTSI Program.” Click on the job link and complete the application as directed.

 

Within 2 weeks following completion of your application, please e-mail the following documents to [email protected] . Please note all supporting documents are due no later than November 29 at 5 pm EST:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Current CV
  3. Unofficial transcripts
  4. Three letters of recommendation (one must be from Ph. D. advisor)
  5. Designated postdoctoral mentor
  6. A concise (1 page maximum) research proposal related to the topic of interest

 

Research Proposal Outline Requirement:

  • Proposal Title
  • Research Proposal by Applicant’s Name with ORNL Mentor’s Name
  • Proposal 2 Pages maximum including all text, figures, tables, graphics, and references.
  • Formatting: 12 pt Times New Roman font, single spaced.

 

Background. (1-2 paragraphs)

Describe the current state of the field.

Show that this research is novel and of high interest.

Describe the problem to be solved, the need to be addressed, or the gap in the knowledge to be filled.

 

Research Plan. (4-5 paragraphs)

Include proposal goals/aims, challenges, and expected outcomes.

Include internal and external collaboration plans.

 

Scientific Impacts. (1-2 paragraphs)

Describe how this work will impact the actinide field and if applicable how it will have an impact on the program funding this work.

 

Basic Qualifications:

  • To be eligible you must have completed a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, engineering, or a related field with in the last 5 years.
  • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position

 

Selection Process

The Seaborg Postdoctoral Researcher Internal Review Committee will evaluate applications based on candidate excellence and relevance of the proposed research topic.

 

● Proposed Seaborg Researcher research project

○ Creativity and innovation

○ Impact on program’s mission

○ Research approach

● Proposed Seaborg Researcher candidate

○ Strength of candidate

 

Successful candidates must be approved by the ORNL Postdoc Program before receiving funding and performing research.

 

Final selections will be made by the Seaborg Institute Leadership Team based on rankings, programmatic balance, project strategic importance, and budget.

 

Performance Requirements

The Seaborg Postdoctoral Researcher Program requires performance metrics of activities and resource management reporting. Successful Seaborg Postdoctoral Researchers are required to report project activities and to participate in program activities with funding dependent upon compliance with these requirements:

  1. Recipients are required to participate in the Actinide Science Lecture Series by both attending and presenting scientific lectures on actinide science in this Series
  2. Submission of a viewgraph and detailed proposal outlining goals within a month of starting postdoctoral appointment.
  3. Provision of a list of project publications and presentations each fiscal quarter.
  4. Acknowledgement of Nonproliferation Stewardship Program, NNSA Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development (DNN R&D) as a financial contributor in all publications or presentations.
  5. Upon completion of the appointment, the recipient will be required to submit short reports on research progress, publications, presentations, and future employment status.
  6. Must have an ORCiD account.

 

 

Pu-238 Research Call

Overview:  

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

 

The Glenn T. Seaborg Institute (GTSI) of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is committed to enhancing and maintaining US capabilities in actinide science and technology by helping to attract, develop, and retain the workforce of actinide scientists to meet the needs of the nation.

 

Topic of Interest:

A deeper understanding of the fundamental behavior of the transuranic elements neptunium, protactinium, and plutonium is of interest in support of ORNL’s efforts to supply the nation with plutonium-238 for deep space exploration missions. This call focuses on advancing our knowledge of these important elements with a focus on impacting routine operations through increased efficiencies and risk reduction. Research which considers novel approaches to understanding the properties of neptunium, protactinium, and plutonium as pertaining to plutonium-238 production is of particular interest.

 

Application Process and Eligibility:

Applications will be accepted from April 1, 2025, through June 1, 2025, for positions starting in the 2025 timeframe. Positions will support one postdoc for two years.

 

You must first apply for the GTSI postdoctoral fellowship on the ORNL Jobs website. Visit jobs.ornl.gov and search for “ORNL GTSI Program.” Click on the job link and complete the application as directed.

 

Within 2 weeks following completion of your application, please e-mail the following documents to [email protected] . Please note all supporting documents are due no later than June 1 at 5 pm EST:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Current CV
  3. Unofficial transcripts
  4. Three letters of recommendation (one must be from Ph. D. advisor)
  5. Designated postdoctoral mentor
  6. A concise (1 page maximum) research proposal related to the topic of interest

 

Research Proposal Outline Requirement:

  • Proposal Title
  • Research Proposal by Applicant’s Name with ORNL Mentor’s Name
  • Proposal 2 Pages maximum including all text, figures, tables, graphics, and references
  • Formatting: 12 pt Times New Roman font, single spaced.

 

Background (1-2 paragraphs):

Describe the current state of the field.

Show that this research is novel and of high interest.

Describe the problem to be solved, the need to be addressed, or the gap in the knowledge to be filled.

 

Research Plan (4-5 paragraphs):

Include proposal goals/aims, challenges, and expected outcomes.

Include internal and external collaboration plans.

 

Scientific Impacts (1-2 paragraphs):

Describe how this work will impact the actinide field and if applicable how it will have an impact on the program funding this work.

 

Basic Qualifications:

  • To be eligible you must have completed a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, engineering, or a related field with in the last 5 years.

 

Selection Process:

The Seaborg Postdoctoral Researcher Internal Review Committee will evaluate applications based on candidate excellence and relevance of the proposed research topic.

  •  Proposed Seaborg Researcher research project
    • Creativity and innovation
    • Impact on program’s mission
    • Research approach
  • Proposed Seaborg Researcher candidate
    • Strength of candidate

 

Successful candidates must be approved by the ORNL Postdoc Program before receiving funding and performing research.

 

Final selections will be made by the Seaborg Institute Leadership Team based on rankings, programmatic balance, project strategic importance, and budget.

 

Performance Requirements:

The Seaborg Postdoctoral Researcher Program requires performance metrics of activities and resource management reporting. Successful Seaborg Postdoctoral Researchers are required to report project activities and to participate in program activities with funding dependent upon compliance with these requirements:

  1. Recipients are required to participate in the Actinide Science Lecture Series by both attending and presenting scientific lectures on actinide science in this Series.
  2. Submission of a viewgraph and detailed proposal outlining goals within a month of starting postdoctoral appointment.
  3. Provision of a list of project publications and presentations each fiscal quarter.
  4. Acknowledgement of funding from the Science Mission Directorate of NASA as administered by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, in all publications or presentations.
  5. Upon completion of the appointment, the recipient will be required to submit short reports on research progress, publications, presentations, and future employment status.
  6. Must have an ORCiD account.

 

Special Requirements:

  • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
  • Export control, no clearance:  This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.