Creating Connections at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

The APS Chapter at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is a catalyst for building community, bridging gaps between Livermore postdoctoral researchers, APS, and the broader scientific community. From social events to engaging talks, as well as giving an upcoming tour of the National Ignition Facility (NIF), this APS Chapter is forming networks that will serve scientists well throughout their careers.

As APS Chapter Mentor Harry Radousky, the deputy division leader of the LLNL materials science division has observed about the chapter's work, "“The APS Chapter at LLNL is a great opportunity for young scientists to pursue professional development, collaborations, and networking. This group allows people to build a strong foundation for their careers by engaging in events held at LLNL and in conjunction with other local APS Chapters."

Networking and career development initiatives advanced by the APS Chapter at LLNL include member engagement and recruitment social events, as well as monthly lunches to connect members starting in May 2023. They have also brought award-winning scientists and speakers to LLNL to share career perspectives and physics innovations, including APS Careers Mentor Tani Aguayo and APS Best Thesis Award Winner Alison Christopherson, and they will also be welcoming APS President Robert Rosner to give a talk at their institution.

The APS Chapter at LLNL is also bringing together other APS Chapters and postdoc associations. The APS Chapter at LLNL has facilitated early career discussions with the University of Houston APS Chapter. They have connected the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) APS Chapter with project leaders at LLNL's Center for Advanced Signal and Image Sciences (CASIS). Additionally, the APS Chapter at LLNL is sharing insight and advice with the Fermi Lab postdoc association as they explore forming their own APS Chapter. For 2023, among other activities, they are organizing a seminar exchange across national labs to showcase the diversity of postdocs' work.