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.
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