Great for Starting Out, NOT A JOB - Postdoctoral Fellow ORISE Employee Review

4.0
May 24, 2021
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great opportunity for those who are truly early career professionals. Excellent way to experience federal-level research immediately out of school or while still completing a degree.

Cons

Not a great fit for those with lots of previous job experience. This is not a job, and what you get to do depends heavily on who your supervisor is. The Trump-era tax reform makes what would be a healthy monthly stipend paltry because fellows now have to pay federal income tax. This is a really crummy deal financially because fellows are not actually employees and do not qualify for benefits like retirement, accrued leave, FMLA, and HSA/FSA. Fellows finally were provided dental and vision benefits for the first time in late 2020.

Explore other reviews about ORISE

5.0
May 28, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Doing Science 100% is nice

Cons

No benefits are included, only an option to buy health insurance

ORISE Response
3w
Hello and thank you for your response! We are glad to hear you are enjoying your experience. ORISE appointments are learning-based internships, fellowships and postdoctoral opportunities that supplement your education and offer the ability to build skills, make connections, and discover interests as you experience research and collaboration under the mentorship of the nation's leading STEM experts at premier national laboratories and scientific facilities across the country, Though not employment, these research appointments provide entry into a network of connections and a chance to collaborate and learn from the nation's leading STEM experts. If you haven't already, be sure to take advantage of the "extras" available to the ORISE Community such as the opportunity to engage, collaborate, and continue learning and networking across STEM disciplines and interests at www.oriseconnections.com as well as monthly/quarterly professional development events and a variety of resources that continue to assist you in your STEM career path. If you have any questions on other available provisions for your specific program, please reach out to your ORISE program contacts or to ExperienceORISE@orau.org. Thank you!
4.0
Jun 22, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great experience where I met many people, learning opportunities and always felt supported.

Cons

The stipend is not taxed

See reviews by: Helpful|Rating|Date|All