DOE Fusion Energy Sciences Postdoctoral Research Program
https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/DOE-FES-2026
Application/Recommendation(s) Deadline: January 15, 2026 @5PM Eastern Time
About the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences: The Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) has four strategic goals: (1) Advance the fundamental science of magnetically confined plasmas to develop the predictive capability needed for a sustainable fusion energy source (2) Support the development of the scientific understanding required to design and deploy the materials and fusion engineering and technology needed to support a burning plasma environment (3) Pursue scientific opportunities and grand challenges in high energy density plasma science to better understand our universe, and to enhance national security and economic competitiveness (4) Increase the fundamental understanding of basic plasma science, including both burning plasma and low temperature plasma science and engineering, to enhance economic competitiveness and to create opportunities for a broader range of science-based applications
As a postdoctoral fellow in the FES Postdoctoral Research Program, you will conduct your proposed research related to the FES mission utilizing the expertise, resources, and capabilities available at your hosting facility. You will acquire experience and training in areas related to fusion energy and plasma science and technology, have access to advanced equipment and facilities, increase your marketability in fusion energy disciplines, gain access to top scientists and gain early career professional training and experience. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from experts researching and experimenting with fusion energy.
Research must support the program mission and its major focus, listed here: orise.orau.gov/doe-fes-postdoc
Location: You are responsible for finding a hosting facility and securing a mentor, so you will be embedded in a facility whose research aligns with your research goals and who can provide the resources you need for your research. Your mentor may also be a resource for your next career step. For more information on hosting facilities, visit:
https://orise.orau.gov/doe-fes-postdoc/index.html
Provisions: You will receive an annual stipend of $90,000 plus a supplement to offset the cost of health insurance. The program will also provide a one-time $3,000 relocation allowance (if eligible). You will also receive a $4,000 travel allowance per year. Travel allowance can be used to support travel to FES-related conferences (domestic or foreign
Qualifications: You must:
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident.
- Have received a doctoral degree in an appropriate science or engineering discipline within four years of the desired start date or expect to complete degree requirements prior to the desired start date.
- Be available to conduct research at the hosting facility for up to two years.
Preferred academic fields include:
- Chemical Engineering
- Computational Plasma Physics
- Computer Science
- Experimental Plasma Physics
- Material Science
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nuclear Engineering
- Physics
- Plasma-Material Interfacial Science
- Theoretical Plasma Physics
Program Website: https://orise.orau.gov/doe-fes-postdoc/index.html
Questions? Email fusion@orau.org. Please list the reference code [DOE-FES-2026] for this opportunity in the subject line of your email.
