Graduate Fellow - Research Associate

Savannah River National Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated research associate graduate fellow.

The graduate fellow will assist with research that focuses on soil and groundwater remediation at the Savannah River Site and across the DOE Complex.

The Graduate Fellowship Program provides science and engineering students an opportunity to train in targeted technical areas of interest/need of the Office of Environmental Management (EM) (soil and ground water, deactivation and decommissioning, tank waste processing, artificial intelligence to include machine learning, and climate change).

The year-long, salaried fellowship will offer specialized training, leadership development, and professional networking. The fellowship stimulates the potential increase of minority students entering STEM careers at the graduate level. Additionally, a graduate fellowship opportunity provides hands‑on EM field experience that could lead to a potential career opportunity within the DOE Complex.

Recent undergraduates possessing a 4-year degree while applying to graduate school are encouraged to apply.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to apply their understanding of geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, ecology, environmental sciences, environmental engineering or related principles to design and deploy technologies that will support the missions of Environmental Management.

• Apply advanced knowledge of geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, ecology, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, or related disciplines to address complex environmental challenges.
• Design, develop, and implement innovative technologies and methodologies for soil and groundwater remediation at the Savannah River Site and across the Department of Energy (DOE) Complex.
• Conduct field and laboratory investigations to characterize environmental conditions, assess contaminant distribution, and evaluate remediation effectiveness.
• Analyze and interpret scientific data to inform the selection and optimization of remediation strategies.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate scientific findings into practical solutions that support the missions of Environmental Management.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and publications to communicate research outcomes to stakeholders, sponsors, and the wider scientific community.
• Participate in project planning, progress reviews, and technical meetings to ensure research aligns with program goals and regulatory requirements.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, best practices, and regulatory changes relevant to environmental management and remediation.
• Demonstrate a commitment to safety, quality, and ethical research practices in all aspects of work.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a graduate program (Masters in a STEM related field) hydrogeology, geochemistry, ecology, environmental sciences, or environmental engineering, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of principles in at least one of the following: geology, hydrogeology, geochemistry, ecology, environmental sciences, or environmental engineering.
• Experience conducting research or laboratory work related to soil and groundwater remediation, or a related environmental management topic (can be through coursework, internships or prior research assistantships).
• Ability to effectively communicate scientific concepts, both verbally and in writing.

This position will require selected candidate to be able to obtain a DOE Security Clearance.

BSRA is required by DOE to conduct a pre‑employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, criminal records, and employment history, and education verifications. Positions with BSRA require applicants to have the ability to obtain and maintain a DOE L or Q‑level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. Factors such as pre‑employment background review results, dual citizenship status, and unpaid and/or unfiled taxes may impact your ability to obtain a security clearance.

This list of factors is not exhaustive; pre‑employment…