Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) Opens 2026 Internship, Graduate Research and Postdoctoral Opportunities

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has officially released its February 2026 Opportunities update, announcing a wide range of internships, graduate research programs, postdoctoral fellowships, and early-career research positions for students and recent graduates. The opportunities span undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels and are designed to support hands-on research, professional development, and long-term scientific careers at one of the world’s leading national laboratories.

About Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest science and energy laboratory in the United States Department of Energy (DOE) system. ORNL is globally known for operating the world’s most intense neutron source, pioneering the first exascale computer, and leading high-impact research across science, engineering, artificial intelligence, climate, materials, and national security.

With 7,500+ staff members from over 60 countries, ORNL hosts more than 5,000 guest researchers and supports 1,000+ student interns every year, making it a major destination for early-career researchers worldwide.

Internship Opportunities at ORNL (2026)

ORNL offers structured internship programs for undergraduates, recent graduates, and graduate students, with opportunities available during summer, fall, and spring academic terms.

Internships typically include:

• A competitive stipend

• A housing allowance for students living outside the immediate ORNL area

• Access to advanced research facilities and expert mentors

Undergraduate internships generally follow fixed-term schedules, while graduate internships are more flexible and often align with degree or dissertation research.

Key Internship Programs Open in 2026

Research Student Internships (RSI)
Open to undergraduates, recent graduates, and graduate students. Summer 2026 applications remain open until February 26, 2026.

Technical and Professional Internships (TPI)
Designed for students interested in applied, practitioner-focused roles, including opportunities in communications, operations, and business functions. Summer 2026 applications are open through February 26, 2026.

Graduate Research at ORNL (GRO)
ORNL’s largest graduate internship program, offering flexible start and end dates. Graduate students must identify an ORNL mentor who will supervise and initiate the application. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program (SCGSR)
A prestigious, DOE-funded opportunity for PhD candidates conducting dissertation-related research. The next application cycle opens in early February 2026, with research start dates expected in November 2026.

DOE Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)
Applications for Summer 2026 are closed. Applications for Fall 2026 internships will open on March 12, 2026.

Webinars and Application Guidance

ORNL regularly hosts informational webinars to help applicants understand programs and improve their chances of selection.

Upcoming sessions include:

• Undergraduate Opportunities Webinar – Monday, February 9, 2026

• Graduate Opportunities Webinar – Monday, February 16, 2026

• Tips for ORNL Internship Applications – Monday, February 23, 2026

Each session begins at 2:00 PM Eastern Time and provides practical guidance on applications, mentor outreach, and program expectations.

ORNL also hosts open office hours where applicants can ask questions directly about housing, transportation, and program logistics.

Importance of Contacting ORNL Mentors

Applicants at all academic levels are strongly encouraged to reach out directly to potential ORNL mentors, similar to how one would approach a university professor.

Prospective interns and researchers can:

• Explore research areas through ORNL’s impact portal

• Identify scientists working in aligned fields

• Initiate professional conversations early in the application process

Early mentor engagement significantly strengthens applications, especially for graduate and doctoral research programs.

Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunities

ORNL offers fully professional postdoctoral appointments, typically lasting two years and extendable to three. These roles come with competitive compensation and access to world-class research infrastructure.

As of February 2026, postdoctoral openings span areas such as:

• Artificial intelligence and computational imaging

• Hydrological and environmental modeling

• Quantum materials and quantum algorithms

• Computational fluid dynamics

• Advanced manufacturing and materials science

• Nuclear science, astrophysics, and radiation protection

All postdoctoral positions are open searches and are listed at ORNL’s official careers portal.

Research and Career Positions for Recent Graduates

In addition to internships and fellowships, ORNL maintains a rolling list of early-career research and technical positions for scientists and engineers who have recently completed advanced degrees.

These roles include opportunities in:

• Machine learning and data engineering

• Nuclear and mechanical engineering

• Plasma and ion beam research

• High-performance computing and systems engineering

• Chemical and process engineering

Candidates are encouraged to join ORNL’s Talent Community, even if no current listing perfectly matches their profile.

Core University Partnerships

ORNL works closely with a group of core partner universities, strengthening research collaboration and student pipelines. These partners include Duke University, Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and several other leading U.S. research institutions.

These partnerships play a key role in expanding training, mentorship, and research opportunities for students.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. ORNL also participates in the E-Verify program and provides application accommodations when needed.

Why ORNL Opportunities Matter in 2026

With rapid advances in AI, climate science, quantum computing, and energy systems, hands-on research experience has never been more valuable. ORNL’s programs offer students and early-career researchers the chance to work on real-world scientific challenges, collaborate with leading experts, and build careers with global impact.

For those seeking meaningful research exposure and professional growth in 2026, ORNL remains one of the most credible and respected destinations worldwide.

Official Contact

Contact for Core University matters:
William Jenks
Lead, Core Universities Partnerships
Programs
[email protected] 

For more opportunities, click here.