I have been considering applying for a position at Oak Ridge National Lab. In searching for information online (hoping to get a feeling for the work environment), I found the LLNL/LANL set of blogs, but I have seen nothing similar for ORNL.
Given that ORNL is also run by a private entity (UT-Battelle), are there similar problems? Do any readers have any opinions on ORNL?
Thank you!
Signed: anonymous coward
Given that ORNL is also run by a private entity (UT-Battelle), are there similar problems? Do any readers have any opinions on ORNL?
Thank you!
Signed: anonymous coward
Comments
This means they are hiring lots of new scientists. For example, ORNL recently reported to the media that they are hiring computer scientists at the rate of about one new CS employee per week! They currently have the fastest super-computer in the world (Jaguar) and are planning to further ramp-up their work in this area. They have been getting a large amount of stimulus money for science projects and the current long term trends of the nation favor labs like ORNL over this next decade. They will grow while LLNL and LANL will be shrinking. Labor costs and overhead at ORNL are also less than at LLNL or LANL. As far as retirement benefits go, they use a hybrid system that includes a 401k (with generous employer matches) done in tandem with a pension.
Oak Ridge is not too far from the Smokey Mountains, so the area is considered to be quite nice. Home prices are still reasonable, but going up as ORNL grows.
Overall, most of the DOE "energy" labs (esp. ORNL and PNNL) are doing very well and their future looks extremely bright. The NNSA "weapons" labs... not so much.
And, of course, if you read this blog, you already know about the incredibly low morale at LLNL and LANL and the fact that they are now controlled by "for profit" corporations like Bechtel along with an extremely risk adverse and highly dysfunctional NNSA.
Choose wisely. Your long term career depends on it.
Practicing tired, worn out stereotypes, I see.
And what of California... is it still full of gangland "homies", incredibly high unemployment rates, ghost town suburbs full of foreclosed homes, rampant crime, and frequent mudslides and earthquakes? Oh, and let's not forget that it is a state that is so deeply in debt it is about to go bankrupted!
That tells you a lot right there, doesn't it? Seems the employees at ORNL are happy working at their lab.
Thanks for all of your input! Yes, I would actually be applying for a computational scientist position, so perhaps I would be a computer scientist of the week.
I grew up in TN, so the weather would not be a problem. I live in New England currently and I prefer hot and humid to sub-zero wind chills.
I agree about the cultural comments though. Culturally, there are other areas that I would prefer. I will have to think about that.
I was mostly curious if ORNL has the same morale problems as LLNL/LANL, but it sounds like the energy and weapons labs are quite distinct.
Thanks again.
Your arrogance is showing - it would probably be better for you to keep that dead end job at LLNL. Seems like a good fit.
Also, Ashville, NC is just on the other side of the Smokey Mountains. It's sometimes referred to as "the Santa Fe of the East" and a very nice place to visit for a weekend get-a-way.
Make sure ORNL doesnt rank employees 1-n.
I work in the research division of one of the largest corporations in the world and everyone within in a group is ranked on an annual basis. Not just that, but the ranking is fit roughly to a bell curve, so those ranked at the bottom (even if they actually did a good job) are put into performance programs that generally lead to termination. Even if the person manages to keep their job, their time spent in the program is horrific and they will not receive a raise for that 18-month cycle.
Managers change about every 3 years. Your rating is essentially a poll of how your manager and his/her manager like you, so your fortunes can change rapidly. There is also always the danger that the company will sell the division that you work most closely with and you be let go for having an outdated skill set.
In short, I would advise against seeking solace as a scientist in the corporate world.
Well, just decide which "B" you really wish to work under:
(B)echtel -- a politically connected and very sleazy construction company..
..or..
(B)attelle -- a private, non-profit research institute of high integrity.
Does that help? You might also wish to consider which of the two labs is more likely to encounter layoffs in the next few years. Hint: It's the lab that begins with the letter "L".