The Linus Pauling Fellowship 2027 is a fully funded postdoctoral research opportunity at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the United States. It is designed for recent and upcoming PhD graduates in science and engineering who want to develop an original research project of their own design.
Selected fellows receive full funding, research resources, and mentoring from internationally recognized researchers. The current PNNL job posting lists a $118,000 annual salary for the fellowship. Applications for the 2027 fellowship are open until October 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM PST.
Quick Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship | Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 |
| Host Institution | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) |
| Location | United States; placement depends on the research |
| Fellowship Type | Fully funded postdoctoral research fellowship |
| Salary | $118,000 per year |
| Eligible Applicants | Recent and upcoming PhD graduates in Science and Engineering |
| Research | Original project of the fellow’s own design |
| Research Areas | Scientific Discovery, Energy Resiliency, Data Science & Computing, National Security |
| PhD Requirement | Completed within the last 3 years or before the fellowship starts |
| Start | Fall 2027 |
| Application Deadline | October 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM PST |
| Official Website | Linus Pauling Fellowship 2027 |
About the Linus Pauling Fellowship 2027
The Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship is a research-focused opportunity for scientists and engineers at the beginning of their careers.
PNNL says the fellowship is intended to support researchers who want to push the boundaries of science and produce world-recognized discoveries. Pauling Fellows can propose and lead a major research project of their own conception.
Fellows also benefit from PNNL’s research environment, including access to scientific capabilities and mentoring from internationally recognized researchers. The goal is to give talented researchers the freedom and support needed to develop ambitious work.
Other Related Fellowships : Guggenheim Fellowship 2027| Paid Fellowship for U.S, Canadian Citizens & Residents.
Linus Pauling Fellowship Eligibility
The fellowship is aimed at recent and upcoming PhD graduates in science and engineering.
To qualify, applicants must :
- Hold a PhD in a science or engineering field related to PNNL’s mission areas.
- Have received the PhD within the last three years or complete the degree before the fellowship begins.
- Earn the degree from an accredited college or university.
- Be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States.
The fellowship is not limited to one narrow scientific discipline. Your proposed research should fit within PNNL’s mission and one of its major research areas.
Research Areas
Applicants can develop projects connected to four broad areas:
- Scientific Discovery
- Energy Resiliency
- Data Science & Computing
- National Security
These areas cover a wide range of scientific and engineering research. Applicants should choose a project that clearly fits PNNL’s expertise and explain why the laboratory is a strong place to conduct the proposed work.
Other Related Fellowships: Hoover Fellows Program 2027 | Paid Fellowship at Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Linus Pauling Fellowship Salary and Benefits
The fellowship provides full funding for selected candidates. The current PNNL careers posting lists the salary at $118,000 per year.
PNNL also lists a broad employee benefits package for eligible employees. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, telehealth services, health savings and flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in a company-funded pension plan and can participate in a 401(k) plan with company matching. PNNL also lists vacation time and paid holidays.
The fellowship also provides access to PNNL’s research environment and mentoring from internationally recognized researchers.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit their application materials as a single PDF attachment under the Additional Documents section of the PNNL application.
The required materials include:
- Cover letter identifying the research category that best fits the proposed work.
- Current CV, including an ORCID link if available.
- Research proposal explaining the planned research, its novelty and expected impact, and why PNNL is an appropriate institution for the work.
- Three PNNL publications from the past five years that are closely connected to the proposed research or demonstrate relevant PNNL expertise and facilities.
The research proposal deserves particular attention. It should not only explain what you want to study but also make a clear case for why PNNL is the right research environment for your project.
How to Apply for the Linus Pauling Fellowship 2027
The application is submitted online through the PNNL careers system.
1. Check Your Eligibility
Make sure your PhD timing, field, and U.S. work authorization meet the requirements.
2. Develop Your Research Proposal
Choose a research problem that fits PNNL’s mission areas. Explain the novelty, expected impact, and value of conducting the project at PNNL.
3. Research PNNL Publications
Identify at least three relevant publications from PNNL authors published within the last five years. Use them to show how your project connects with PNNL’s expertise or facilities.
4. Prepare the PDF Package
Combine the required documents into one PDF before uploading it to the application.
5. Submit Before the Deadline
Complete the online application before 4:00 PM PST on October 15, 2026.
Deadline
The application deadline for the Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 is:
October 15, 2026, at 4:00 PM PST.
The fellowship is expected to begin in Fall 2027.
Applicants should not wait until the final day. Preparing the research proposal and finding the required PNNL publications can take considerable time.
Other Related Fellowships: KAUST Fellowship 2027 |Fully Funded Masters & PhD. In Saudi Arabia
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Linus Pauling Fellowship fully funded?
Yes. PNNL states that the fellowship provides full funding to selected candidates pursuing a major research project of their own conception.
How much is the Linus Pauling Fellowship salary?
The current PNNL careers posting lists a salary of $118,000 per year.
Who can apply for the fellowship?
Recent and upcoming PhD graduates in relevant science and engineering fields can apply. The PhD must have been completed within the last three years or before the fellowship begins.
Can international applicants apply?
Applicants must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States. Foreign-national candidates may also be subject to additional federal security and credentialing requirements.
When does the 2027 fellowship start?
The fellowship is expected to start in Fall 2027.
What makes the research proposal important?
The proposal should explain the research, its novelty and expected impact, and why PNNL is an advantageous institution for conducting the work. Applicants must also cite three relevant PNNL publications from the past five years.