Working at EPL
Drawing on more than a century of scientific discovery, the Earth and Planets Laboratory is a multidisciplinary community of researchers who discover exoplanets, create new materials, illuminate Earth’s inner workings, and seek to better understand the universe that is our home.
Join Our Community
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People
A collaborative community powering discovery, innovation, and exploration together.
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Staff Scientists
Leaders in their fields, shaping the future of Earth and planetary science.
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Postdocs
Emerging scientific minds who bring fresh ideas and drive their own research.
Scientific & Technical Jobs
Every day, researchers at the Earth & Planets Laboratory push the boundaries of what we know about Earth, planets, and the materials that shape them. Our scientists and technical experts have the freedom to follow their curiosity, the support to seize new opportunities, and the creativity to develop bold new approaches to understanding our world and our Solar System.
Administrative & Support Jobs
Our scientific success is underpinned by a robust team of dedicated administrative and support professionals who keep our organization running smoothly and allow us to pursue our boldest ideas.
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Postdoctoral fellows at Carnegie Science experience an extraordinary amount of independence, flexibility, and mentorship—giving our early career researchers a leg up as they find their academic footing and flourish.
EPIIC Interns
The Earth and Planetary Science Interdisciplinary Internships (EPIIC) program is a 10-week, hands-on research experience for undergraduates. Throughout the summer, interns work with Carnegie mentors on projects across astronomy, geochemistry, geophysics, cosmochemistry, mineral physics, and related fields.
Global Visitor Fellowship
The Global Visitor Fellowship brings distinguished researchers from around the globe to enhance the intellectual environment and research activity through collaboration, scholarship, and fellowship. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Perks and Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental for employees, spouses / domestic partners, and dependent children.
- Medical benefits include coverage for infertility treatments.
- Vision benefits include coverage for routine eye exams with allowances for lenses, frames or contact lenses.
- Health Savings Account (HSA): Employer contribution to a health savings account for employees enrolled in the high-deductible medical plan.
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Tax-advantaged accounts to pay for eligible health care (medical, dental, vision) expenses.
- Telemedicine: Access to medical, behavioral health, and nutrition providers through virtual visits.
- Retiree Health Plan: Medical coverage for eligible retirees. Includes employee assistance program (EAP) coverage and access to Health Advocate services.
We are proud to be designated by the U.S. Department of State as an Exchange Visitor Program sponsor, allowing us to host international researchers under J-1 Visa status. Whether you are a prospective exchange visitor or already part of the Carnegie community, we are here to support your journey.
The purpose of the J-1 Visa is to increase mutual understanding between people of the U.S. and people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges, thereby strengthening the ties between the nations. Every year, Carnegie sponsors exchange visitors to conduct research.
At the time of appointment, the exchange visitor is expected to return home upon completion of the activity.
Exchange visitor categories available to international appointees at Carnegie are:
- Short-Term Scholar: J-1 Visa Short-Term Scholars come to the U.S. on a short-term visit (six (6) months or less) for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills.
- Research Scholars: J-1 Visa Research Scholars come to the U.S. to primarily conduct research in connection with a research project.
- Specialist: The Specialist category is for experts in a field of specialized knowledge or skills, who visit the United States for purposes of observing, consulting, or demonstrating their special skills. The maximum duration of stay is one year.
As a non-U.S. citizen, you will need a Visa to enter the U.S. The J-1 exchange visitor Visa allows eligible participants to come to the U.S. for a temporary stay, if participating in the J-1 Visa program.
Explore the resources and guidance provided to ensure a successful experience as a J-1 exchange visitor at Carnegie Science.
Learn More- Winter break. Carnegie provides a paid holiday break the between December 24th and January 1st.
- Paid leave. Generous vacation, sick and holiday leave, including a “floating holiday” that can be used anytime during the year.
- BurnAlong. Partnership with BurnAlong to provide virtual fitness options for employees and their friends and family at no cost to employees.
- Lifestyle benefits that include commuter benefits; identity theft protection; Rosetta Stone and LinkedIn learning opportunities; and emergency assistance during business travel.
- Voluntary insurance benefits. Optional life insurance and AD&D insurance, legal insurance, pet insurance, and discounted auto and home insurance.
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Lecture halls and meeting rooms for meetings, seminars, workshops, and small conferences
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A full kitchen and "cafe"
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Outdoor courtyard and green spaces for breaks, lunches, and community events
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Small gym and locker facilities
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Lactation/relaxation room
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Comfortable indoor lounge areas
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Parking and electric vehicle charging stations
- Institution-paid retirement contribution between 10% and 20% of an employee’s salary (up to the IRS maximum) to a 401(a) account for eligible employees.
- Eligible employees can also contribute to a 403(b) voluntary savings retirement account (up to the IRS maximum).
- Institution-paid life insurance equal to one-times an employee's annual salary and options to select supplemental life insurance up to $500,000.00.
- Our partner, GreenSpring Advisors, provides resources to help employees create a roadmap to achieve financial goals, with on-demand access to a team of Certified Financial Planners and online resources, including access to 200+ videos, webinars, and articles.
Carnegie has developed several mechanisms for recognizing ingenuity and creativity with the distribution of small grants. These funds are designated for various special purposes, including high-risk, interdisciplinary research ideas, postdoctoral collaborations, postdoc travel, and community-building efforts.
Learn More-
High-pressure laboratory featuring multi-anvil presses, piston-cylinder systems, and diamond anvil cells
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Geochemical & cosmochemical analysis suites, including NanoSIMS, mass spectrometry, thermal analysis, clean labs, and sample preparation facilities
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Electron beam instrumentation (EPMA, SEM, FIB) and X-ray crystallography for mineralogical and materials research
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Spectroscopy labs, including Raman, FTIR, UV, and NMR facilities
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Seismology and geophysical labs for Earth-interior studies
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Geobiology & astrobiology facilities, including molecular biology and hydrothermal microbiology labs
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Instrument development and astronomy resources, including access to the Magellan telescopes and participation in SDSS-V
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Local and shared computational clusters, plus access to Caltech’s HPC center
Note: Research labs on the Broad Branch Road campus require training and authorization before entry.
Full Instrumentation List- Education Assistance Program. Carnegie encourages employees to further their education by providing reimbursement for a portion of undergraduate or graduate degree school expenses.
- TicketsatWork. Offers employees cost-free, exclusive travel and entertainment discounts with access to up to 50% savings on thousands of these experiences and provides employees offers on movies, hotels, shows, concerts, theme parks, sporting events and more.
- Pet Insurance Discount. Carnegie has partnered with Nationwide to provide employees with access to discounts on pet insurance with nose-to-tail coverage for everything from acupuncture to anal glands to ACL tears.
- Carnegie Retreat Properties. The Vannervar Bush Retreat is Carnegie’s recreational facility located in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland. Employees can request use of these retreats, subject a user's fee and availability.
- Learning & Development Opportunities. Carnegie provides Carnegie employees with access to high-quality, engaging courses and workshops designed to enrich and inspire.
Quotes from Colleagues
A Home for Discovery
Carnegie's Broad Branch Road campus (BBR) has been home to groundbreaking research for more than a century. Tucked away next to Rock Creek Park in Northwest Washington, DC, this lush academic oasis is filled with top-of-the-line instrumentation and facilities—the perfect launch site for your next big idea.
Building Community
For over a century, we’ve fostered a collaborative community where bold ideas thrive and lifelong connections form. EPL is more than a research campus—it’s inspiring seminars, lively reading groups, shared lunches, and even the occasional athletic competition. It’s a community through and through.
Facilities & Support
Our campus provides everything you need to do your best work—from world-class instrumentation, a machine shop, research library, and flexible conference spaces to a full kitchen, gym, coffee room, outdoor areas, and EV-friendly parking. Whether you're running experiments, hosting a workshop, or recharging between tasks, EPL’s resources are here to support your day.
