The Department of Energy's primary purposes are to advance science, energy, national security, and environmental stewardship, and National Laboratories conduct research and development to support those goals.
It is frequently claimed that the Laboratories were established to address exceptionally challenging issues that were out of the scope of private enterprise or individual institutions.
Each Laboratory brings unique facilities, specialized core capabilities, and research teams from a variety of fields to advance the frontiers of engineering, science, and technology.
When deciding to apply/work for a National Lab, here are some highlights that can determine if you would enjoy working there.
Pros:
- Research and development opportunities: National labs often have cutting-edge research and development programs, which can provide engineers with exciting and challenging opportunities to work on groundbreaking projects.
- Collaborative environment: National labs often have a diverse and highly skilled workforce, which can provide a collaborative and stimulating environment for engineers to work in.
- Government funding: National labs are often funded by government agencies, which can provide a stable source of funding for research and development projects.
- Competitive compensation and benefits: National labs often offer competitive compensation packages and benefits to attract top talent.
Cons:
- Bureaucracy: National labs are often large organizations with complex bureaucracies, which can make it difficult for engineers to get things done quickly.
- Limited flexibility: National labs may have strict rules and regulations that can limit an engineer's flexibility and autonomy.
- Limited opportunities for entrepreneurship: National labs are not typically focused on commercializing new technologies, so engineers may have limited opportunities to be involved in start-ups or other entrepreneurial ventures.
- Limited opportunities for international collaboration: National labs may have limited opportunities for international collaboration compared to private companies or academic institutions.