20 Oak Ridge National Laboratory Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a job at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, there are a few key questions you can expect to be asked. These questions will help the interviewer gauge your understanding of the company and its mission, as well as your ability to contribute to its research and development goals. Here are a few of the most common Oak Ridge National Laboratory interview questions, along with sample answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory Interview Process

The interview process at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one interview, and some may require multiple interviews, a presentation, and/or a tour of the facility. The overall process can be slow, taking anywhere from one month to over six months. However, many reviewers found the experience to be positive overall, with friendly staff and an emphasis on science.

1. What are you most proud of in your research?

This question allows you to highlight your most recent and relevant research experience. It also gives the interviewer insight into what motivates you as a researcher.

Example: “I am proud of my work on developing an advanced nuclear fuel that is more efficient than current fuels, but also safer for use in power plants. This project was particularly challenging because it required me to combine two different types of nuclear fuel production methods. I had to develop new techniques to ensure both processes were compatible with each other. The end result was a process that could be used by commercial nuclear power plants.”

2. Do you have experience working with a team on R&D projects?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your teamwork skills and how you interact with others. To answer, consider describing a time when you worked on a team project in school or at work. Explain what made the experience successful for you.

Example: “In my last position as an engineer, I was part of a small R&D team that focused on developing new energy systems. We had weekly meetings where we discussed our progress and challenges. This helped us stay organized and motivated to complete our projects on time. The group also encouraged each other to try new approaches to solve problems.”

3. How do you prioritize when given multiple assignments?

This question can help interviewers assess your time management skills and ability to work under pressure. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you prioritized multiple assignments in the past.

Example: “In my previous role as an engineer at a nuclear power plant, I was given two projects that were due on the same day. One project involved updating the cooling system for one of the reactors while the other required me to update the security systems. I decided to start with the security system since it would take longer to complete than the cooling system. This allowed me to finish both projects by their deadlines.”

4. Why did you choose to pursue a career in science and engineering?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand your motivations for pursuing a career in science. When answering this question, it can be helpful to share an experience that inspired you to pursue a STEM career or how you developed an interest in science as a child.

Example: “Ever since I was young, I’ve been fascinated by space and all of the mysteries of our universe. My parents encouraged me to explore my interests and find ways to learn more about them, so they signed me up for classes at the local planetarium when I was eight years old. From there, I started reading books on astronomy and physics and taking online courses. I knew then that I wanted to become an astrophysicist.”

5. Tell me about a time where you had to learn something new, how did you go about it?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to learn new things and apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you learned something new and applied that knowledge to your work.

Example: “When I first started working at my current company, I was tasked with learning about an entirely new software program for data analysis. At first, I found the software difficult to use, but I decided to ask my coworkers for help. They were happy to explain how to use the software and helped me understand its benefits. After using the software for several weeks, I became more comfortable with it and began to find ways to improve my workflow.”

6. Can you tell me about a time when you disagreed with someone at work, how did you handle the situation?

This question can help an interviewer learn more about your conflict resolution skills. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you handled the disagreement and what steps you took to resolve it.

Example: “In my previous role as a nuclear physicist, I disagreed with one of my colleagues on a particular theory. Rather than speaking up right away, I waited until we were in private so that I could explain why I disagreed without disrupting others. After explaining my reasoning, my colleague understood where I was coming from and agreed to change their approach.”

7. What is your greatest strength as a researcher?

This question allows you to highlight a skill or ability that is relevant to the position. When answering this question, consider what skills are most important for this role and how your previous experience can help you succeed in it.

Example: “My greatest strength as a researcher is my attention to detail. I am able to work independently on projects while maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy. In my last position, I was tasked with analyzing data from particle accelerators. I reviewed all data thoroughly before making any conclusions about its meaning. This helped me avoid overlooking any errors in my analysis.”

8. Which area of computer science or electrical engineering would you be most interested in working on?

This question is designed to assess your knowledge of the research areas at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. It also helps interviewers determine if you have a specific area of interest that aligns with their department’s goals and objectives. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area of computer science or electrical engineering that interests you and why.

Example: “I am most interested in working on applied R&D for advanced energy systems. I find renewable energy sources fascinating, especially solar power. I would love to work on projects that help make solar power more efficient and cost-effective.”

9. Give an example of a time when you received feedback from a manager that was not positive, what did you do after that?

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to learn from mistakes and grow as a professional. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you used the feedback to improve your performance or behavior in the future.

Example: “When I first started working at my previous company, I was tasked with organizing a large event for our clients. During the planning process, I had several meetings with my manager about what we needed to do to prepare for the event. However, when the day of the event arrived, there were still many things that weren’t ready. My manager gave me some constructive criticism on my organizational skills and how they could have been better prepared for the event. After that meeting, I took time to reflect on my organizational skills and implemented new methods into my workflow.”

10. Have you ever worked with a difficult co-worker before? If so, what happened?

This question is a great way to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to work with others. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you resolved the situation or what steps you took to improve your relationship with that person.

Example: “I once worked with a co-worker who was very critical of my work. I tried to take their criticism constructively and asked them for specific ways I could improve. They were able to give me some constructive advice on how I could make improvements in my work. After working with them more closely, they became one of my biggest supporters.”

11. What is your experience with grant writing?

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory is a large research facility that requires its employees to apply for grants and funding. Grant writing experience can be an asset in this role, as it shows your ability to work with outside sources of funding. If you have previous grant writing experience, describe the process you used to write successful applications.

Example: “I’ve worked on several projects where we applied for external funding. In my last position, I was responsible for researching potential funding opportunities and drafting proposals for our team’s research. We were able to secure multiple grants from private organizations and government agencies, which helped us expand our research.”

12. Give an example of a project that you were involved with that failed. How did you recover from failure?

This question is designed to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to learn from failure. It’s important to highlight how you used the experience to improve your performance in future projects.

Example: “In my first year as a nuclear physicist, I was assigned to work on a project that involved identifying radioactive isotopes by their decay rates. The project required me to use complex mathematical equations to identify the rate of decay for each isotope. However, when I presented my findings to my supervisor, he informed me that I had made several errors in my calculations. He helped me understand where I went wrong and provided additional training so that I could avoid making similar mistakes in the future.”

13. Describe a technical challenge you faced and how you overcame it.

This question allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a challenge that was unique or challenging for you but that you were able to overcome with the help of others.

Example: “In my previous role as an engineer at a nuclear power plant, I had to solve a technical issue with one of our reactors. The reactor’s cooling system wasn’t working properly, which could have caused a meltdown if we didn’t fix it quickly. I worked with other engineers on my team to troubleshoot the issue and find a solution. We discovered that there was a small leak in the cooling system, so we replaced the part and fixed the issue.”

14. Are you looking for a long term position or a temporary position?

This question is a way for the interviewer to understand your intentions and goals. If you are looking for a long-term position, it’s important to explain why you’re interested in this role and how you plan on making yourself valuable to the company. If you’re looking for a temporary position, it’s important to show that you have an interest in working at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and that you would be willing to return if given the opportunity.

Example: “I’m looking for a long-term position where I can use my skills and experience to make a meaningful contribution to the organization. I believe that my education and work history makes me a great fit for this role.”

15. Tell me about a time when you presented research findings to a group of people.

This question can help interviewers learn more about your public speaking skills and how you handle presenting to a group of people. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific research findings you presented and what the audience’s reaction was.

Example: “When I worked as an intern at my university, I had the opportunity to present my research on nuclear fission to a large class of undergraduate students. I was nervous because I knew many of them were not familiar with nuclear physics, but I tried to explain things in simple terms so they could understand. After I finished, several students came up to me asking questions about my presentation.”

16. When applying for this job, why did you specifically apply for Oak Ridge National Laboratory?

This question is a great way to gauge the applicant’s knowledge of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and their interest in working there. It also allows you to see if they have done any research on the company, which can be an indicator of how seriously they are taking the interview process.

Example: “I applied for this position because I am very interested in nuclear physics and would love to work at a facility that specializes in it. I know that ORNL has some of the best minds in the field, so I’m excited to learn from them.”

17. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s used to assess your career goals. When answering this question, be honest about what you hope to achieve in the next five years. You can also use this opportunity to show that you have researched Oak Ridge National Laboratory and its mission.

Example: “I see myself working at an institution like ORNL because I am passionate about nuclear energy research. In five years, I would love to be working on my PhD in nuclear physics. I know that ORNL has many opportunities for students who are looking to pursue their doctorate degrees, so I would love to take advantage of those opportunities.”

18. What do you think are the most important qualities for someone to possess who wants to be successful in their field?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the qualities necessary for success in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention specific skills and traits that are important for someone working in R&D.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for anyone who wants to succeed in their field is curiosity. I am always looking for ways to improve my work and learn new things about my projects. Another quality I think is essential for success in this industry is creativity. I love coming up with new ideas and solutions to problems.”

19. How well can you work independently?

This question is a great way to assess your ability to work independently and manage your time. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention how you plan out your day or week and the strategies you use to stay on track with your tasks.

Example: “I am very organized and I have several methods for staying on top of my daily tasks. One method that I find particularly useful is using a project management software like Trello. This allows me to create different boards for each task I need to complete and move cards from one board to another as I make progress. Another strategy I use is setting weekly goals so I can keep track of what I need to accomplish.”

20. What is your experience with data mining?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with specific technical skills. If you have relevant experience, describe it in detail and explain how it helped you complete the task. If you don’t have any direct experience, consider describing a time when you used data mining software or another similar skill to solve a problem.

Example: “I’ve worked as an IT specialist for several years, so I’m familiar with many different types of software. In my last position, I was responsible for maintaining our company’s database. One day, I noticed that some of the information we had stored wasn’t accurate. So, I used data mining software to find all instances where the information didn’t match up with other sources. After finding these errors, I updated them.”