Advanced Short-Term Research Opportunity (ASTRO)
Program Description and Goals
The ORNL Advanced Short-Term Research Opportunity Program is a highly selective program and offers challenging short-term research opportunities to recent recipients of master’s and doctoral degrees to conduct research in areas that support ORNL missions in the basic and applied sciences, energy, and environment. Appointments are available in all current research and development programs at the laboratory. For further information, see Research Areas at ORNL.
The program’s goals are to:
- Advance scientific and technical training in areas of critical national need
- Provide research opportunities for outstanding scientists
- Promote the influx of new ideas and skills into the laboratory
- Enhance interactions with the wider academic and research communities
The emphasis on a research mentoring approach allows appointees to become integral members of ORNL research and development teams. They gain exposure to current national issues in science and technology, have an opportunity to share and exchange innovative ideas and techniques, and make significant contributions to ORNL programs. Depending on the nature of research and availability of funding, participants are encouraged to publish and present research findings and write funding proposals as part of a research team to enhance their own professional development. The interaction of ideas, skills, approaches, and technologies will be of mutual benefit to the fellow and ORNL.
The program is administered by the Science Education Programs Unit of the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), which is managed by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) for the U.S. Department of Energy.