If you’re a graduate student or early-career researcher wondering what lies beyond academia or industry, national laboratories offer a compelling path. At a recent Yale PhD Pathways session, McDougal Career Fellow Kimia Sinaeian hosted two professionals working inside the U.S. national lab system to unpack what these careers actually look like.
Camille Violet (PhD Environmental Engineering), a Lawrence Fellow at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Shakil Khan (MS Mechanical Engineering), an R&D engineer at Los Alamos National Laboratory, shared candid insights into how they got there, what their day-to-day work involves, and how aspiring candidates can break into these highly competitive roles.
From Graduate School to National Labs
Both speakers took different routes into the national lab ecosystem.
Camille’s journey was more research-focused. She applied simultaneously to faculty roles and prestigious fellowships, ultimately becoming a Lawrence Fellow. Her work centers on rare earth element separations, a topic closely tied to national priorities like energy security.
Shakil completed his undergraduate degree in 2022 and began his career in industry as a test engineer at Cummins. But his interest in research and problem-solving led him to pursue a master’s degree and eventually apply to Los Alamos. A key turning point came at a career fair, where a recruiter connection helped him secure an interview (even after the job posting had closed).
Their stories highlight an important truth: there’s no single “correct” path into a national lab.
What Makes National Labs Different?
One of the most striking distinctions between national labs and academia is the mission-driven environment. Rather than working in isolation or focusing purely on publishing, researchers at national labs collaborate across disciplines to tackle large-scale, real-world challenges.
Camille described the culture as deeply collaborative, with projects often spanning multiple teams and expertise areas. Shakil echoed this, noting that engineering roles tend to focus more on applied problem-solving than theoretical exploration.
In short, if academia is curiosity-driven and industry is profit-driven, national labs sit somewhere in between and are guided by national priorities.
Entry Points: Fellowships, Postdocs, and Engineering Roles
There are several ways to enter the national lab system, depending on your background:
- Fellowships: Highly competitive but offer greater research freedom, higher salaries, and independence.
- Postdoctoral positions: A common route for PhDs, though often with less autonomy than fellowships.
- Engineering roles: Ideal for those who enjoy hands-on problem-solving and may not want to follow a purely research track.
Camille emphasized internship programs such as SULI (Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships) as valuable early entry points. Shakil stressed the importance of internships and diverse experience, especially for engineering applicants.
The Application Strategy: Align with the Mission
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was alignment.
National labs are not just looking for strong candidates. They’re looking for candidates whose work clearly supports the lab’s mission. Camille noted that successful applications often answer a key question: Why does this research belong at a national lab instead of a university?
For example, her work in environmental engineering connects directly to energy and resource security, which are core priorities for national labs.
Shakil added that having a diverse technical background can help candidates stand out, especially in engineering roles where interdisciplinary skills are valued.
From Postdoc to Staff Scientist: The Reality
For many researchers, the ultimate goal is a permanent staff scientist position. However, the path from postdoc to staff isn’t guaranteed.
Both speakers highlighted funding as the biggest factor. Even strong candidates may struggle to secure permanent roles if funding isn’t available. Conversion rates vary by lab and department, making this a critical consideration when evaluating offers.
Fellowships can provide a stronger foothold due to their independence and funding structure, but they’re also significantly more competitive.
Practical Considerations: What You Should Know
Beyond the intellectual work, there are practical realities to consider:
- Security clearances are often required, which can limit opportunities for international applicants.
- Bureaucracy is part of the system, especially in government-funded environments.
- Work schedules tend to be more structured than academia, but can vary by role and project.
- Hot fields like AI and machine learning are currently in high demand, offering more opportunities for entry.
Final Thoughts
Careers at national labs offer a unique blend of research, impact, and collaboration. Whether you’re driven by scientific discovery, real-world problem-solving, or contributing to national priorities, these institutions provide opportunities that don’t fit neatly into academia or industry.
As Camille and Shakil made clear, success in this space isn’t just about credentials. It’s about alignment, persistence, and building the right connections.
If you’re considering this path, start early: explore internships, attend career fairs, and most importantly, think about how your work connects to something bigger than yourself.
