SNS and HFIR are two of the world’s most advanced neutron scattering research facilities, and we welcome researchers from all over the world. Located together, our facilities offer capabilities unavailable elsewhere.
How Can Neutrons Studies Benefit My Research?
Neutron scattering has applications in almost every technical and scientific field, from biology and chemistry to physics and engineering. Neutrons have unique properties that allow them to reveal properties of materials that other types of probes can’t. For more information about applications in specific fields, see the links at right. You also might want to check out science highlights from some of the recent studies conducted at HFIR and SNS, as well as the pages on neutron techniques.
We also recommend visiting our neutron science points of contact list to locate scientists in your field of interest.
How Can I Conduct Research at ORNL?
For those interested in carrying out research at our facilities, we have opportunities for:
- General users
- Graduate and postdoctoral students
- Faculty
- Undergraduate students
Most of the available beam time is given to visiting scientists in the general user program. To apply for beam time, you submit a research proposal, which will be evaluated through a peer-review process. Please see our user pages for detailed information about getting beam time and becoming a user.
Research and Educational Opportunities
We also have several specialized programs for collaborative research and educational visits. In addition to Shull Fellowships (awarded each year), we support faculty research sabbaticals and graduate, postgraduate, and postdoctoral students. For more information, see Collaborative Research Visits.
For undergraduate students, we have internships available during the summer, as well as other times during the year. Brief research opportunities are included during the National School on Neutron and X-Ray Scattering, which we host with Argonne National Laboratory. The school is usually held in the spring; check the upcoming events for more information.
