Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in USA

PNNL is offering its prestigious Linus Pauling Postdoctoral Fellowship. This position targets the next generation of scientists and engineers. Fellows conduct original research projects entirely of their own design. The role emphasizes innovation across science, engineering, and technology broadly. PNNL expects fellows to demonstrate strong future leadership potential. The fellowship is expected to begin in fall 2027.

Program Snapshot

• Host Institution: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
• Locations: Multiple sites, primarily Richland, Washington
• Salary: $118,000 annually
• Duration: Up to three years, with additional funding available
• Application Deadline: October 15, 2026, 4:00 PM PST

Focus Areas

• Scientific Discovery and Fundamental Research
• Sustainable Energy and Environmental Science
• National Security and defense-related research
• Data Science and Computing applications

About the Fellowship

This program honors Linus Pauling, a two-time Nobel Prize winner. Since its 2009 launch, fellows have worked across diverse scientific domains. These include chemistry, biology, engineering, and computational science broadly. Fellows join PNNL’s Energy Resiliency and Engineering research directorate. They also gain access to PNNL’s Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory facility.

This is a Department of Energy user facility supporting advanced research. Beyond base funding, PNNL provides additional resources for travel and conferences.

What Fellows Will Do

Selected fellows pursue a major research project entirely of their choosing. This work must align with PNNL’s core scientific mission areas. Fellows receive mentorship while gaining access to cutting-edge laboratory resources. They contribute directly to national priorities in energy and security. Previous fellows have worked on nuclear materials, computational algorithms, and climate science.

Who Can Apply

Applicants must hold a PhD from 2024 onward, or upcoming. The degree should fall within science or engineering broadly. Candidates need legal authorization to work within the United States. Strong candidates demonstrate genuine potential for future field leadership.

Required Materials

Applicants must submit a single combined PDF document. This includes a cover letter identifying their research category. A current CV, ideally with an ORCiD link, is required. Applicants must also submit a detailed research proposal. This proposal should cite three relevant PNNL publications specifically.

How to Apply

Submit your complete application through PNNL’s official careers portal.

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Conclusion

This fellowship offers exceptional independence and resources for early-career scientists ready to lead their own research agenda. Its strong salary, extended duration, and access to national laboratory facilities make it especially competitive among postdoctoral opportunities. Given the detailed proposal requirements, applicants should carefully review PNNL’s recent publications and clearly articulate why the lab uniquely supports their research before the October 15 deadline.

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