Important Dates:

• Friday, May 30, 2025 - Submit Intent Deadline

• Friday, June 27, 2025 - Video Submission Deadline

• Thursday, September 18, 2025 - Live Event

Upcoming SLAM Workshops:

SLAM Prep

• Tuesday, May 13

• 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PT

• Register on Eventbrite

What is the SLAM?

The SLAM is modeled after 3 Minute Thesis and Grad Slam. The SLAM is a competition where contestants are challenged to present a compelling three minute presentation of their research in a language appropriate to a non-specialist audience. Competitors are allowed one PowerPoint slide, but no other resources or props.

The SLAM live event:

The SLAM live event will be Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 3:00pm-4:30pm virtually, with winners announced on by 5:00pm. The slam will be live-streamed, but only those in "virtual" attendance can participate in the People's Choice voting. 

Who is Eligible to Participate?  

Any current Berkeley Lab employee who will be in an active appointment through October 2025 and has received their PhD between January 2018 - June 2025.

Why Should You Participate? 

• This is a great accomplishment and skill to add to your CV

• This will prepare you with a strong elevator pitch you can make on the spot and use in future job interviews or job talks

• Those who participate in the video submission will be given first opportunity to sign up for a half-day workshop with Dr. Jean-luc Doumont, which takes place in August, date TBD

• In addition to the half-day workshop, those selected as finalists will be provided the unique opportunity to work on their final presentation 1 on 1 with Dr. Jean-luc Doumont

• Finalists will receive a professionally cut video of their live presentation to be used as they please

• There will be a monetary award given to the First Prize winner , Second Prize winner and a "People's Choice" award (voted on by the live audience) . Awards will be paid through payroll and are subject to taxes. The awards are as follows: 

  • First prize- $3,000

  • Second prize- $2,000

  • Third prize- $1,000

  • People's choice- $750

• The first, second, and third-place award recipients will advance to the regional Bay Area Research SLAM, which is a collaboration with the 3 bay area research labs: Lawrence Livermore National Lab, Sandia National Lab, and SLAC National Lab.

How to Enter? 

•  Contestants will submit an intent to participate by May 30, 2025

•  Submit a video of your 3-minute talk by 5:00 PM on June 27, 2025 (direct link to submit video will be sent to those who have submitted intent and eligibility confirmed).

• Preliminary judges will select 10-12 finalists by July 2025. See the guidelines for eligibility, judging criteria, and other important deadlines

Questions? 

You may email questions to the Career Pathways Office - pathways@lbl.gov