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Research Scientist Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN (NOW HIRING)

Experience as a postdoctoral researcher, research fellow, junior/assistant professor, or senior research scientist. * Recent (last ~5 years) representative publications in the relevant subfield, with ...

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$48.3K

$124.4K

$166.4K

How much do research scientist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for research scientist in Oak Ridge, TN is $124,398.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,800.00 and $165,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research scientist?

Research Scientists are professionals who conduct experiments and investigations to increase knowledge in a specific field, such as biology, chemistry, physics, or social sciences. They design studies, analyze data, and publish their findings in scientific journals. Research Scientists often work in academic institutions, government agencies, or private industry, contributing to advancements in technology, healthcare, and understanding of the natural world. Their work is critical for developing new products, improving processes, and solving complex scientific problems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research scientist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Scientist, you need a solid background in scientific research methods, data analysis, and subject-specific expertise, typically supported by an advanced degree such as a PhD or MSc. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, statistical software (like R or SPSS), and research documentation tools is often required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating with colleagues and presenting findings. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure rigorous, innovative research and the ability to translate complex data into actionable insights.

How do research scientists typically collaborate with other departments or teams within an organization?

Research Scientists often work closely with cross-functional teams, including data analysts, engineers, and product managers, to ensure that their findings are effectively integrated into practical applications. Collaboration may involve regular meetings, joint planning sessions, and sharing experimental results to guide decision-making. This interdisciplinary approach not only enriches the research process but also helps align scientific efforts with organizational goals, fostering innovation and impactful outcomes.

Do research scientists get paid a lot?

Research scientists' salaries vary depending on their field, experience, education level, and location. In general, they earn competitive wages, with those in specialized or high-demand areas often earning higher salaries, especially in industries like pharmaceuticals, technology, or government research. Advanced degrees and skills in data analysis, laboratory techniques, or programming can also influence earning potential.

What degree do you need for a research scientist?

A research scientist typically needs at least a master's degree in a relevant field such as biology, chemistry, physics, or engineering. Many roles, especially in academia or advanced research, require a Ph.D. and strong skills in data analysis, laboratory techniques, or specialized tools.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Scientist jobs in Oak Ridge, TN?

The most popular types of Research Scientist jobs in Oak Ridge, TN are:

What are popular job titles related to Research Scientist jobs in Oak Ridge, TN?

For Research Scientist jobs in Oak Ridge, TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research Scientist jobs in Oak Ridge, TN look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Scientist jobs in Oak Ridge, TN are:

What cities near Oak Ridge, TN are hiring for Research Scientist jobs?

Cities near Oak Ridge, TN with the most Research Scientist job openings:

Infographic showing various Research Scientist job openings in Oak Ridge, TN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,398 per year, or $59.8 per hour.

Research Computational Scientist

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

$90 - $140/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 120 rated laboratories


Job description

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The Multiphysics Modeling and Flows (MMF) Group in the Computational Sciences and Engineering Division is seeking a Research Computational Scientist with expertise in computational mesh generation to generate validated computational results that are used for large-scale, physics-based simulations for variety of applications.

Our Group:

MMF is a computational multiphysics modeling group at the forefront of deploying novel computational engineering techniques for problems that are critical to U.S. national and energy security. We utilize our expertise in numerical discretization techniques, high performance computing, mesh generation, and geometry representation for a wide variety of physics applications. Our intention is to integrate computational modeling with experimental methods and provide innovative solutions for technology growth. We aspire to help generate technical artifacts (patents) as well as scientific artifacts (journal articles).

Almost all of our simulation codes require a mesh to discretize the spatial domain of interest. For some applications, generating this mesh has historically been a labor-intensive process because it is shown to be a leading driver of computational accuracy. As a result, for certain use cases of interest to ORNL, we are in need of an applications engineer capable of generating meshes and accurate solutions to complex problems.

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an extraordinary 80-year history of solving the nation’s biggest problems. With a dedicated and creative staff of over 6,000 people, ORNL’s decadal vision for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) is to cultivate an environment and practices that foster diversity in ideas and in the people across the organization, as well as to ensure ORNL is recognized as a workplace of choice. These elements are critical for enabling the execution of ORNL’s broader mission to accelerate scientific discoveries and their translation into energy, environment, and security solutions for the nation.

What does our ideal teammate look like and what will you be doing?

In this role, you will be responsible for working with subject matter experts to understand and refine new CFD application and/or CFD discretization techniques and then lead the implementation of these techniques into large-scale, automatic computational work-flows with particular attention paid to computational accuracy. It is expected that there will be an initial focus on unstructured CFD discretization and conformal mesh generation techniques for applications requiring boundary-layer (i.e., large aspect ratio) meshing capabilities. Additional application methods of interest include adaptive meshing for design/shape optimization as well as solution optimization.

In addition to software development/application, you will also engage with the broader community of industry, national labs, and academic partners to understand and advance the state-of-the-art in CFD applications and work-flows.

Basic Qualifications:
  • An MS in mathematics, computer science, engineering or a related field or a PhD in mathematics, computer science, engineering with relevant experience.
Preferred Qualifications:

The following are a list of preferred qualifications, but not required.

  • Experience with mesh generation/CFD applications for unstructured meshes and/or finite element methods
  • Experience with CFD discretization techniques for unstructured meshes and/or finite elements with an emphasis on highly scalable algorithms for exascale HPC environments
  • Experience with parallel computing environments, HPC in a Linux environment
  • Experience with surrogate modeling
  • Experience with data analytics techniques
  • Familiarity with C++ and GPU programming
  • Familiarity with Python programming
  • Experience with modern software development practices to ensure code quality
  • Experience with computational geometry
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Ability to work with a measure of autonomy and a willingness to participate creatively in a collaborative team environment
Special Requirements:
  • Visa Sponsorship: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
  • Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements: Q Clearance: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a clearance from the Department of Energy. As such, this position is a Workplace Substance Abuse (WSAP) testing designated position. WSAP positions require passing a pre-placement drug test and participation in an ongoing random drug testing program.
About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following:

  • Prescription Drug Plan
  • Dental Plan
  • Vision Plan
  • 401(k) Retirement Plan
  • Contributory Pension Plan
  • Life Insurance
  • Disability Benefits
  • Generous Vacation and Holidays
  • Parental Leave
  • Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection
  • Employee Assistance Plan
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Health Savings Accounts
  • Wellness Programs
  • Educational Assistance
  • Relocation Assistance
  • Employee Discounts

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.


If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.


ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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