Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) has established a prestigious fellowship for early career researchers to attract the very best and brightest to Brookhaven. Named after BNL Nobel Laureate Raymond Davis Jr., this fellowship aims to cultivate future scientific leaders who wish to develop their careers at Brookhaven Lab. Applications are now being accepted for the inaugural fellowship program.

Fellows will work closely with a Brookhaven sponsor to pursue their research interests. Fellows are hired in research staff scientist positions for four years with full benefits, a highly competitive salary, and a stipend for research support, including funding for a postdoctoral researcher. As the intent of the Program is to retain these Fellows for a career at Brookhaven Lab, candidates interested in a research career at a Department of Energy national laboratory are encouraged to apply. BNL will select up to two Fellows during the selection process.

Who should apply

Successful candidates will be promising early career scientists with at least two years' distinguished experience after their Ph.D. and selected based on their demonstrated ability to contribute to the science aligned to the Laboratory's initiatives. Candidates with training in any discipline pertinent to the Lab's mission to deliver expertise and capabilities that drive scientific breakthroughs and innovation for today and tomorrow are encouraged. Fellows work closely with a Brookhaven sponsor to pursue their research interests. The sponsor is identified early in the application process. If the sponsor is not known at the time of application, BNL will assist you in identifying a possible sponsor once your application has been submitted. Current Brookhaven postdoctoral researchers and staff members are eligible to apply.

Candidates are encouraged to review BNL’s scientific and engineering research areas and the following resources to identify topics that align with the scope of the science at BNL.

• Sample Fellowship Proposal Areas (PDF)
• BNL 2024 Core Capabilities (PDF)

Required Qualifications

• Applicants must have received their Ph.D. in a STEM field and must have at least 2 years' experience post Ph.D. Extensions to eligibility will be considered for individuals who have had a major life event requiring an extended absence (three months or longer) from the workplace, including but not limited to active military service, an absence due to personal disability, or an absence covered by the Family Medical Leave Act. A letter signed by the dean, research vice president, or equivalent university or national Laboratory official stating that the proposed PI will be, as of the application deadline, no more than five years beyond receipt of their Ph.D., when taking into account the extended absence, must be included at the time of application submittal. The letter must include NO personal information about the reason for the absence.
• Applicants can be no more than 5 years beyond receiving their Ph.D. when they apply
• Evidence of academic achievement with potential for technical and research leadership
• Research in areas that align with Brookhaven National Lab's mission

See Frequently Asked Questions about application eligibility, sponsors, and letters of recommendation.

Review Process and Application Timeline

Selection Committee

The Selection process is conducted through a Lab-level Committee who make their recommendations directly to the Laboratory Director. As a development opportunity, the members shall be comprised of at least six senior-level scientists. Every effort will be made to achieve a diverse committee representation as it relates to gender and ethnicity composition of the Committee. Specifically, at least one woman and one ethnic minority is a reasonable goal. Recommendations from the Committee does not in itself constitute approval. Review by and concurrence of the Laboratory Director and the Deputy Director for Science & Technology are required.

About Brookhaven National Lab

Brookhaven National Laboratory is a multi-program laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries and more than 75 years of pioneering research. Brookhaven's highest-level science initiatives are understanding the building blocks of nature; leading in discovery with light enabled science at the National Synchrotron Light Source II; developing next-generation information science and technology; addressing environmental and societal challenges; and supporting U.S. national security efforts.

Brookhaven is home to a suite of premier user facilities that include the National Synchrotron Light Source II, the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, the Center for Functional Nanomaterials, the Accelerator Test Facility, as well as underpinning capabilities, such as high-performance computing and advanced instrumentation. Brookhaven is the site of the future Electron-Ion Collider, a one-of-a-kind nuclear physics research facility that will keep America in the forefront of nuclear physics research. Candidates can refer to the Brookhaven Lab website for more information.