Human Resources
Walter Massey Fellowship
The Walter Massey Fellowship is awarded to outstanding doctoral scientists and engineers who are at early points in promising careers.
Submit all application materials by 7:00 p.m. Central Time (U.S.) on October 1, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be considered for review.
The Walter Massey Fellowship is awarded to outstanding scientists and engineers who have recently received their Ph.D. or are in the process of completing degree requirements. This fellowship was established in honor of Argonne’s first Black laboratory director, Dr. Walter Massey, who is a distinguished advocate of equity in science and education. Walter Massey Fellows will pursue independent research that supports Argonne’s purpose: make game-changing discoveries and inspire new technology to meet national needs for sustainable energy, economic competitiveness, and security.
Underrepresented candidates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, with an interest in a research career in a Department of Energy national laboratory, are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be considered for the fellowship.
Fellowship details
- Proposals are accepted from most STEM disciplines that align with Argonne or DOE missions as described in the resources below.
- The following funding model allows Fellows to advance independent research as outlined in their fellowship proposal, while making significant contributions to Argonne initiatives:
- The first two years of the fellowship are funded 100% by Argonne’s Laboratory Directed Research Development (LDRD) Program,
- The third year is funded 50% by LDRD and 50% by other programs identified by the fellow and the host division.
- Fellows will receive a competitive salary, full employment benefits, and a stipend for research support.
- Fellows may renew their appointments on an annual basis for up to 3 years, with the possibility of retention if of mutual interest to the fellow and Argonne.
- Underrepresented candidates interested in a research career in a Department of Energy national laboratory are encouraged to apply.
Candidates are encouraged to review Argonne’s scientific and engineering research areas and suggest Argonne divisions aligning with your research proposal.
- Comprehensive description of Argonne’s missions, initiatives, and core capabilities
- Overview of Argonne’s science and technology research areas and related divisions
- Research Index: A listing of all research areas and disciplines
- Argonne Strategic Initiatives: Examples of recent major initiatives
View the fellowship presentation and watch the LinkedIn Live recording of a conversation with review committee co-chairs and current Massey and Mayer fellows.
Qualifications
Required
- Ph.D. conferred within five years at the time of application or completion of Ph.D. requirements by commencement of appointment
- Evidence of academic achievement with potential for technical and research leadership
- Research in areas that align with Argonne’s mission
Desired
- Demonstrated leadership through activities such as mentoring, STEM outreach, professional society engagement, collaborations, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, etc.
- Creativity and motivation
- Excellent communication skills
- Alignment with Argonne’s Core Values: Impact, Safety, Respect, Integrity, and Teamwork
Application Instructions
To be considered for the Walter Massey Fellowship, candidates must apply through Requisition 418536 on the Argonne Careers webpage.
Applicants must read the applicant instructions before applying. The instructions contain guidance for completing the research proposal and biosketch templates, as well as tips for letters of recommendation and preparing your CV.
Briefly, complete application packages will include:
- Research proposal and project plan submitted using the research proposal template
- Biosketch submitted using the biosketch template
- Three letters of recommendation
- CV to be uploaded through the application link
- Graduate transcripts: Refer to applicant instructions for acceptable format
All application materials must be submitted by 7:00 p.m. Central Time (U.S.) on October 1, 2024. Incomplete applications will not be considered for review.
Review Process and Tentative Timeline
- Initial review of proposals for strategic alignment (October)
- Lab-wide committee reviews applications and provides initial ranking (October-November)
- Top candidates matched and connected with Argonne sponsors (November-December)
- Top candidates interviewed virtually (December-January)
- Sponsors of top candidates interviewed by committee (December-January)
- Committee advises Laboratory Director on final rankings (January)
- Finalists notified by late January or early February
About Walter Massey
Walter E. Massey is an educator, physicist, executive, and former Argonne National Laboratory Director. He is president emeritus of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) since 2018 and previously served as its president beginning in 2010 and chancellor in 2016. He is also chairman of the board overseeing construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope, and serves as trustee chair of the City Colleges of Chicago.
Massey’s career had earlier seen him serve for 12 years as president of Morehouse College, of which he is now President Emeritus. He is also a former director of the National Science Foundation and chairman of Bank of America. He has served in professorial and administrative posts at the University of California, University of Chicago, Brown University, and the University of Illinois.
His leadership in the arts and sciences led him to serve as President and Chairman of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and as Chair of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD), and to receive both the Enrico Fermi Award for Science and Technology from the Chicago Historical Society and the Public Humanities Award from Illinois Humanities.