Human Resources

As one of the nation's largest multi-disciplinary research laboratories, Argonne needs to attract, develop, and retain a diverse and qualified staff. Argonne offers competitive pay and benefits. Its main facility occupies 1,500 wooded acres near Chicago.

The laboratory recognizes that attracting the best and brightest minds and retaining top-level talent requires more than pay, flexible working hours and benefits. To continue providing the best scientific research in the nation's interest, Argonne is dedicated to being an “Employer of Choice” and offers challenging work among award-winning colleagues. In 2005 and 2006, Argonne won the National Association of Business Resources' Awards as One of the Top 40 "Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies to Work for.”

Created in 1946, Argonne National Laboratory is operated for the U.S. Department of Energy by the University of Chicago.

Argonne is committed to an active and effective diversity program for two reasons:

• As a world-class research organization, Argonne must recruit, develop and maintain the best-available talent. A wide range of ideas provides a catalyst for discovery. By recognizing and drawing on a full range of talents brought by women and men of many different backgrounds, Argonne builds strength and flexibility into an organization focused on pioneering leading-edge science and technology.
• Supporting and maintaining an inclusive culture at Argonne enables all employees to contribute to the Laboratory's success and to develop their talents, strengths and careers. Argonne is committed to an inclusive, respectful and equitable workplace that values diversity.

In 2005 and 2006, Argonne won the National Association of Business Resources' Awards as One of the Top 40 "Chicago’s Best & Brightest Companies to Work for.”

In 2005, the National Association of Business Resources named Argonne one of the top 40 "Best & Brightest Companies to Work for." This distinction "is bestowed in honor of an organization's recognition of their employees as their greatest asset," according to the association.

Argonne has also been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy and the city of Chicago for its superb human resources program. The laboratory was presented the prestigious Workforce Chicago 2.0 Award in 2003 by Mayor Richard Daley for its commitment to integrating employee development strategies into the laboratory's goals and operations.

Employee Development

Argonne is committed to the development of employees. Argonne offers a generous Educational Assistance Program allowing employees to take job-related courses at accredited academic institutions. The program pays for tuition up-front at 100 percent for full-time employees who obtain grades of “C” or better.

Argonne supplements the formal education of its employees with performance-enhancing training, including supervisory skills, team building, project management, presentation skills and R&D proposal development. In addition, career development strategies are explored and documented in annual career development conversations between regular full-time employees and their managers. Argonne is committed to the engagement and growth of our most valuable resource, our employees.

Creating a Scientist Feeder Pool

The laboratory is preparing for the future by creating a scientist “feeder pool” through its strong educational programs. Argonne runs one of the largest programs in the Department of Energy system to attract and train students for science careers.

The lab's educational program works to expand scientific career opportunities for all, including women, people of color, economically disadvantaged and those with disabilities.

More than 240 former participants in the laboratory's student research programs now work as Argonne employees.

Women in Science and Technology

Since 1990, Argonne's Women in Science and Technology Program (WIST) has worked to recruit, retain and promote women to diversify and strengthen the scientific workforce. WIST cosponsored Argonne's recent career development workshop series – “Survival Skills for Successful Women Scientists and Engineers” – earned the DOE 2003 EEO/Diversity Best Practices Award.

Cultural Awareness

Argonne's Hispanic/Latino Club, African-American/Black Club and Chinese Association also promote cross-cultural awareness, resource sharing, networking and community education programs.