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ORAU: Then & Now

5 core values that define ORAU

5 core values that define ORAU

ORAU provides innovative scientific and technical solutions for the U.S. Department of Energy and other federal agencies to advance national priorities in science, health and education. We do this through our specialized teams of experts and a consortium of more than 150 major colleges and universities. In addition, there are some characteristics of our company that our customers can count on when they work with us. Here are five values that characterize ORAU’s commitment to ensuring our best efforts for our customers:

1. Innovation

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ORAU has been in business for more than 75 years. From pioneering early cancer treatments in the emerging field of nuclear medicine in the 1950s to developing a software tool—Exercise Builder Nuclear—to help nuclear power plants with their emergency preparedness efforts today, ORAU is constantly striving to be innovative in all aspects of our mission.

We do this by finding creative solutions and drawing upon the resourcefulness of our employees, universities and partners. We also adjust rapidly to changing situations, needs and priorities, ensuring we provide the best services possible.

2. Employee empowerment

As with any organization, ORAU’s greatest asset is our employees. That is why we strive to create a culture of empowerment and professional growth where our employees are valued and recognized for their contributions. At ORAU, employees are the catalyst behind the mission, the driving force behind our performance and the innovative spirit behind the scientific and technical solutions for our customers. ORAU’s core values are focused on innovation, expertise, diversity, quality, teamwork, agility, integrity, safety/security and customer service, and employees are empowered through these values to focus on advancing national priorities and serving the public interest through their unique strengths.

3. Quality

We strive to exceed customer performance standards through focus on accuracy, consistency and continuous improvement. Our employees make it a priority to validate that project deliverables are completed in a manner than meets or exceeds our customers’ expectations. At ORAU, we have also been registered to the ISO 9001 quality standard since 2013. To maintain the registration, ORAU undergoes annual audits to validate continued adherence to established quality standards and processes for fulfilling customer requirements. ISO 9001 also helps enhance communication throughout the organization, enhance ORAU’s ability to perform well consistently, and ensure that ORAU understands and continues to consistently meet customer requirements.

4. Teamwork

Our strength comes from working together toward a common goal through internal and external partnerships. Within the organization, our team of employees are always working together to meet the needs of our customers. We can also rely on our expertise, experience and external partners to get the job done right, no matter what that may be. At ORAU, our focus is on unleashing the power of people—researchers, scientists, students, employees—and harnessing their potential to solve our nation’s most challenging issues.

5. Safety

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Safety is a part of everything we do at ORAU. Running a safe operation is not just something that ORAU management strives for. It’s a foundational part of our culture and every employee is responsible for putting safety first in every aspect of the job. This means systematically defining the scope of all work and its hazards, analyzing the hazards, developing and implementing hazard controls, performing work within controls, empowering employees to stop work if conditions are unsafe, and providing feedback for continuous improvement. Safety is in our DNA and permeates all facets of our culture at ORAU.


These five attributes are just a handful of the values that define ORAU. Learn more about ORAU’s mission, vision, and values.

Would you like to learn more about working with ORAU? Whether you are looking to contract with ORAU on work for your organization or agency, work for ORAU to enhance your career or supply our organization with your products and services, we want to talk to you. Contact us today to see how ORAU can help you achieve your business and career goals.

ORAU Media Contacts and Information

About ORAU

ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, provides science, health, and workforce solutions that address national priorities and serve the public interest. Through our specialized teams of experts and access to a consortium of more than 150 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local, and commercial customers to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions and help advance their missions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Media Contacts

Pam BoneeDirector, CommunicationsCell: (865) 603-5142
Wendy WestManager, CommunicationsCell: (865) 207-7953