Information for Applicants

Applicants must have received a doctoral degree in an appropriate science or engineering discipline within four years of the application due date or expect to complete all requirements for such a degree prior to the desired start date.

Applications are accepted and reviewed for award on a rolling basis throughout the year. Selections for award will be made on a biannual basis. Submission date for a summer selection and start is mid-January. Submission date for a winter selection and start is early June.

Review the applicant information and program details below for more information and contact ORISE with any additional questions.

Additional Information

  • Eligibility

    The DOE Fusion Energy Sciences Postdoctoral (DOE FES) Research Program is an educational and training program designed to provide opportunities to participate in project-specific DOE FES research and developmental activities.

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    Because of the educational nature of these programs, participants must:

    • have received a doctoral degree in an appropriate science or engineering discipline within four years of the application due date or expect to complete all requirements for such a degree prior to the desired start date.
    • have U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status at the time of application.

    While participants will not enter into an employment relationship with FES, ORISE, or the hosting facility, the hosting facility may require a pre-employment check and/or a full background investigation.

    Applications will be considered without regard to race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or covered veteran’s status.

  • Application and Selection Process

    Although the mentor may have selected the candidate for a project, there are additional steps to follow before the candidate can be cleared to begin the appointment.

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    Required Application Materials

    1. ORISE application through Zintellect
    2. Current résumé or CV
    3. Unofficial transcript is required for an application. If selected for a fellowship, an official transcript will be required.
    4. Approval from the selected host facility to host the participant and the research proposed.
    5. Letter of Support from a proposed mentor with whom you have had contact concerning the proposed research plan to be performed. The proposed mentor(s) must provide a letter since they are agreeing to a significant amount of work. The mentor(s) letter should provide the following information:
      • Illustrate that s/he is familiar with the details of the applicant’s proposed research project
      • Concur with the proposed scope of the research
      • Describe where the proposed project will be performed
      • Affirm the participating hosting facility is aware and approves of the proposed project and able to provide research accommodations.

      For applicants that want to be considered for the International Collaboration Supplement, a similar letter is also required from the second project mentor located outside the United States.

    6. Two recommendations from persons who are familiar with the candidate’s educational qualifications (including a reference from a current or past faculty member if possible). One of the recommendations must be from your Ph.D. thesis or dissertation advisor.

    Selection Process:

    1. Each submitted application is reviewed and scored by a three member panel within the Fusion Energy Sciences community.
    2. The selection of participants is based on academic records; letter(s) of support; recommendation forms; science and engineering background; interests and professional goals; statement of research to be performed; compatibility of research interests with the DOE Fusion Energy Sciences Office research programs and resources; and availability of funds, staff, programs, and equipment.
    3. Once ORISE receives and reviews the selected applicants and confirms the funding availability, ORISE initiates the official appointment letter.
    4. All candidates must accept the appointment offer from ORISE prior to reporting to the facility to ensure that they will be eligible to receive a stipend. The appointment letter addendum will outline any contingencies that must be met prior to starting their appointment.
    5. All participants are required to have health insurance in place no later than the first day of the appointment and maintain health insurance throughout the duration of the appointment.
    6. Selected candidates who are U.S. citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents must verify their citizenship before starting the appointment.
    7. On the date the participant begins, the DOE FES mentor must certify that the candidate reported to the facility. Once all of these steps are complete, ORISE will begin stipend payments.

  • Hosting Facilities

    You must identify a hosting facility and potential mentor currently conducting or directing research in an area related to Fusion Energy Sciences (FES). Below is a list of resources to assist in the search for a research facility.

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  • International Collaboration Supplement (optional)

    A research proposal that might potentially involve substantial international collaboration may request special supplemental travel funds to support costs associated with foreign travel.

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    In addition to the same stipend and stipend supplements awarded to FES postdoctoral researchers, the International Collaboration Supplement is to support foreign travel costs, and qualified costs associated with extended visits at a foreign institution. In addition to the standard conditions for the base FES postdoctoral researcher award, the following should be met:

    • Applicants must have two project mentors: one from an institution in the United States and one from an institution abroad.
    • The proposed research is specifically focused on the applicant developing a unique scientific competency or expertise.
    • For experimental research proposals:
      • The applicant plans to spend a significant fraction of their appointment at a foreign facility in order to participate in various stages of an experimental campaign including but not limited to planning, preparation, execution, and data analysis.
      • The proposal involves a collaborative research effort utilizing experimental data from both the foreign facility and either (i) experimental data from at least one facility located in the United States, and/or (ii) ongoing theory/simulation efforts by researchers in the United States.
    • For theoretical or computational research proposals:
      • The applicant plans to spend a significant fraction of their appointment at a foreign institution in order to work closely with the proposed foreign mentor.
      • The proposal contains a collaborative research effort involving fundamental theory and/or theoretical models developed abroad and either (i) ongoing theory/simulation efforts by researchers in the United States, and/or (ii) ongoing analysis of experimental data from fusion facilities in the United States.

    Applicants who wish to be considered for International Collaboration Supplement should complete the special sections of the application, including a proposed travel plan, schedule, and budget. The incremental research enabled by the International Collaboration Supplement should be described in a separate, dedicated section of the research plan so that the base research plan may still be selected even if the funds for a travel supplement are not provided.

  • What can I receive?

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    • Receive a stipend of $90,000 per appointment period.
    • Receive a stipend supplement to offset the cost of health insurance.
    • Receive a one-time $3,000 dislocation allowance if the assigned hosting facility is more than 50 miles from the current address shown on the application form.
    • Receive a $4,000 travel allowance for domestic or foreign travel. (Additional travel funds maybe be awarded for those applying for the International Collaboration Supplement. This supplement is used to support foreign travel costs, and qualified costs associated with extended visits at a foreign institution. Applicants who wish to be considered for International Collaboration Supplement should complete the special sections of the application, including a proposed travel plan, schedule, and budget.)
    • Initial appointments are for one year and may be extended for one additional year.
    • Gain insight and experience on DOE’s mission, culture and operations.
    • Showcase your education, talent and skills while contributing to the DOE’s mission and operations.
    • Enhance your preparedness for scientific, technological and policy related-careers.

  • Diversity Inclusion/Culture

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    ORISE administers STEM internship and fellowship programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal agencies. The diversity of these programs enables individuals—whether undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, or faculty—to conduct collaborative research at national laboratories or one of more than a dozen federal agency partners nationwide. Interested applicants can review and apply to hundreds of postings for paid internships and fellowships that best meet their individual career interests and educational advancement needs on Zintellect. Recruiting/Outreach events, including a focus on enhancing connections and recruitment for underrepresented groups, are offered regularly by ORISE to provide candidates the opportunity to speak with program staff, mentors, and current/alumni participants to learn more.

    ORISE champions diversity, promotes creativity, rewards excellence, and encourages respect and an acceptance of differences. To support this commitment, ORISE operates a strong diversity program that includes training, educational programs, and awareness events for its employees and the community and is dedicated to recruiting and preparing the next generation of our nation’s scientific workforce.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Answers to the questions most commonly asked by applicants.

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    Participants receive a monthly stipend to help defray living and other expenses during the appointment. Stipend rates are determined by DOE FES, and are based on the participant’s educational level. Some mentors may also award relocation, a travel allowance, and/or a health insurance stipend.

    Every participant is required to have health insurance on the first day of the appointment and throughout the duration of the program. Participants may not be present at DOE FES facilities if their insurance coverage lapses.

    Individual, individual plus one, or family insurance coverage may be purchased through ORISE, or participants may obtain another insurance plan from the company of their choice.

    U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status is required at the time of application.

    If you anticipate receiving your degree shortly, then you may apply. If you are selected, you will be required to show proof of degree completion before beginning the appointment.

    Initial appointments are usually made for a maximum of one year. They may be extended for another year, based upon program needs, funding availability, and participant eligibility.

    Two recommendations are required. 2 Recommendation forms must be submitted via Zintellect and are due the same day as your application. January 15th (for Summer Selections) or June 15th (for Winter Selections) - You may check the status of your 2 recommendations at any time from your Zintellect Dashboard.

    (1) Recommendation Form from your thesis or dissertation advisor - Recommendation form should include comments about the applicant.

    (1) Recommendation Form from another individual familiar with your research and relevant experiences - Recommendation form should include comments about the applicant.

    Participants are selected from the pool of fully submitted and qualified applications to the posting in Zintellect. ORISE staff will prescreen applications to ensure that all required materials have been received and that the participant has attained the required educational level, but are not otherwise involved in the selection process. The DOE FES panel will review applications and will then notify ORISE once they have selected a candidate in order to begin the appointment letter process described in Prior to Starting the Appointment.

    Once Applications are submitted the review, selection, and award notification process can take 3-4 months.

    If you see the opportunity on Zintellect then it is still actively accepting applications. If no deadline is listed then applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants can always contact ORISE with any questions regarding the status of your application and/or the opportunity.

    All opportunities for ORISE Research Participation Programs at DOE FES are listed in Zintellect. Check back often for additional postings.

    We do not advise you to do this. Only ORISE is authorized to offer you an appointment.

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