The Postdoctoral Research Associate and International Researcher (PIR) program offers scientists and scholars who recently earned the doctorate degree to perform postdoctoral research at the INL. In addition, the program enables international faculty, scientists and scholars to work at the Laboratory on a temporary basis. PIR participants gain experience working in a world-class national laboratory and the opportunity to learn more about their chosen fields in the INL's departments and interdisciplinary research initiatives.
The PIR program is managed by the Administration of Professional and Scientific Personnel (APSP), a unit of Washington State University (WSU), in collaboration with INL Education Programs. Program participants are hired as WSU faculty members, stationed at the INL, which provides them a valuable package of salary and benefits as well as faculty status and the rights, privileges and responsibilities of university faculty members.
Postdoctoral Research Associates
Postdoctoral Research Associates are salaried, research-training positions for college or university graduates who have recently earned doctoral degrees. Research Associates work in one of the INL's on-going scientific or technical projects, under the supervision of Laboratory scientists, engineers and/or administrators who support and mentor them. The Postdoctoral Research Associate Program provides a bridge to professional employment, often at the INL. Appointments are limited to 3 years.
Postdoctoral Research Associates who are not citizens or permanent legal residents of the United States are designated as International Postdoctoral Research Associates and must obtain valid work authorization through WSU or directly from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
International Research Associates
NOTE: Foreign national students who wish to apply for an INL undergraduate or graduate internship, must be currently attending a United States university on a F-1 visa and if selected, will be required to initiate a Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) with your university visa office/department in order to be eligible to be employed at INL. If you meet the eligibility criteria, please click on this link online application to apply.
The International Researcher Program promotes collaborations and international relationships by providing the means for faculty members and visiting scientists or scholars, who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, to work on research projects at the Laboratory. Washington State University (WSU) appoints them as visiting or adjunct faculty members, stationed at the INL. WSU's International Programs Office assists international researchers in obtaining the proper visas and maintaining legal status.
Selection Criteria
Postdoctoral Research Associates are selected on the basis of education, experience, publication record, references, and specifically how these demonstrate the ability to contribute to research at the Laboratory, either on-going or projected. International Research Associates typically contact a fellow researcher at the Laboratory to propose a project to be undertaken at the INL. The interest and financial resources of the INL researcher and authorization of supervisory personnel are determining factors in selecting International Researchers.
Employment Package
- Salary is determined by the mentor and his/her source of funding. (Salary may increase after the first and subsequent years, depending on performance and financial resources.)
- Relocation to the INL is often, but not necessarily, part of the employment package.
- WSU faculty members qualify for benefits and sick leave when their appointments are for longer than six months and at greater than 50 percent effort. WSU's benefit package includes
- Medical/dental insurance for faculty and family and for same-sex domestic partners
- Life insurance
- Long-term disability insurance
- TIAA-CREF retirement annuity plan, matched by employer (Optional for first two years of employment.)
- Sick Leave - 8 hours per month
- WSU faculty members qualify for annual leave when their appointments are for one year or longer.
- Annual Leave - 14.67 hours per month
- WSU’s holidays are equivalent to INL’s in terms of total hours, but holidays are sometimes celebrated on differing days. In addition to the ten holidays, faculty earn one personal holiday per year (July 1 to June 30).
Note: The Idaho National Laboratory closes between Christmas and New Year’s Day (Annual Work Shutdown). It is sometimes, but not always, necessary for WSU employees at the Laboratory to use some annual leave or leave without pay during the shutdown.
Restrictions
United States citizenship is not required. However, researchers who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States will have restricted access to computer resources and facilities, and limited access to information technologies.
Application Information
To apply, go to go to Apply Now! on the WSU web site. For more information, send an email message to smithmeadows@wsu.edu.