The ORNL Research Student Internships (RSI) Program encourages research careers in STEM fields by connecting current students and recent graduates to world-class researchers and staff offering educational, mission-aligned training experiences and access to premier facilities. As the largest U.S. Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, ORNL researchers and staff are engaged in ‘Solving Big Problems’, increasing America’s security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges in eight key science areas: Biology & Environment, Energy Science, Fusion and Fission, Isotopes, Physical Sciences, National Security, Neutron Science, and Supercomputing.

Research Student Internship (RSI) Program Details

• Appointments are for 16-20 weeks during the Spring with the option for a 12-month appointment available for recent graduates.
• Participants are expected to participate full-time each week, with the option for part-time participation for students enrolled in school full-time.
• Appointments will start on January 12, 2026, and end on May 1, 2026. Dates for individual appointments may be flexible to account for academic calendars. For students with conflicts that are not academic calendar related, they may elect to start on January 19, 2026, and end on May 8, 2026. Appointments may be extended depending on funding availability, project assignment, program rules, and availability of the participant.
• Appointments will be conducted virtually or on-site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.