Summary
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is seeking exceptional early-career scientists and engineers for the prestigious Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship (2027 Cohort). Designed for next-generation leaders who will push the boundaries of R&D, this fellowship provides full funding and research freedom for fellows to conduct original, self-directed research projects at a world-renowned Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory.
Designation
- Job Title / Designation: Pauling Fellow (Postdoctoral Research Fellow)
- Job ID: 11983
- Employment Type: Regular Full-Time
- Expected Start Date: Fall 2027
Key Job Details Table
| Feature | Details |
| Organization | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) / Battelle |
| Fellowship Title | Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 |
| Job ID | 11983 |
| Salary / Compensation | $118,000 / Year (USD) |
| Job Type | Regular Full-Time |
| Primary Locations | Richland, WA; Sequim, WA; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; College Park, MD |
| Fellowship Start Term | Fall 2027 |
| Application Deadline | October 15, 2026, by 4:00 PM PST |
Research Areas
Applicants are invited to submit proposals aligned with one or more of PNNL’s core focus areas:
- Scientific Discovery (e.g., Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Biological Sciences, Environmental Molecular Sciences)
- Sustainable Energy & Resiliency (e.g., Energy & Environment, Grid Resiliency, Clean Energy Technologies)
- National Security (e.g., Nuclear Nonproliferation, Cybersecurity, Threat Detection)
- Data Science & Computing (e.g., Advanced Computing, AI/ML, Applied Mathematics)
Location
- Primary Site: Richland, Washington (Eastern Washington)
- Alternative PNNL Sites (role/project dependent): Sequim, WA; Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; College Park, MD
- Note: Fellows are expected to be based at an appropriate PNNL facility depending on the nature of the research.
Eligibility / Qualifications
- Education: Candidates must have earned a Ph.D. in Science, Engineering, or a related field in 2024 or later, or expect to complete their Ph.D. by August 31, 2027, from an accredited college or university.
- Demonstrated Potential: Strong track record of independent research and high potential to become a leader in their scientific field.
- Security & Credentialing: Ability to obtain and maintain a Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) PIV Credential or Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) determination (subject to federal background checks and compliance with DOE policies).
Job Description & Responsibilities
- Conduct groundbreaking, innovative, and self-directed research and development based on your proposed project.
- Collaborate with PNNL senior scientists, research groups, and national user facilities (such as the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory – EMSL).
- Publish findings in top-tier, peer-reviewed scientific journals and present research outcomes at national/international conferences.
- Contribute to solving critical scientific challenges in clean energy, environment, fundamental sciences, and national security.
How to Apply
Interested applicants must apply online through the PNNL Careers Portal and upload a SINGLE PDF attachment under the “Additional Documents” section containing the following:
- Cover Letter: Must clearly identify which category best describes your research program (Scientific Discovery, Sustainable Energy, National Security, or Data Science & Computing).
- Current Curriculum Vitae (CV): Including your ORCiD profile link (if available) and complete publication list.
- Research Proposal: A comprehensive proposal outlining your intended research goals, project novelty, anticipated scientific impact, and rationale for choosing PNNL.
- Requirement: You must cite three (3) publications within the last 5 years authored by PNNL researchers that connect to your proposed work or showcase facilities/expertise that support your project.
Last Date to Apply
- Application Deadline: October 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM PST
