Education
An Academic Organization with a Mandate
for High-Quality Education
The best and the brightest high school, undergraduate, and graduate students come to LLE to learn from our top-notch mentors on a wide range of fields including inertial confinement fusion, high-energy-density physics, laser–plasma interaction, laser and optics sciences, laser technology, operations, and more.
Since the Laboratory’s founding in 1970, over 800 students have received training at LLE—over 150 of whom have received PhD degrees. Our graduates make significant contributions, not only as scientists, innovators, and mentors at some of the most prestigious research, industrial, and academic institutions in the country, but also as our next generation of leaders in science, striving to positively shape and impact the world around us.
Pick Your Program
Graduate Program & Horton Fellowship
Immerse yourself in transformational research alongside world-leading scientists in inertial confinement fusion, high-energy-density physics, engineering, and laser and optical sciences.
Undergraduate Program
Apply for a fall, spring, or summer internship and engage in mission-critical science and engineering.
Summer High School Research Program
Are you a rising junior in the Greater Rochester region? Spend your summer conducting research on world-leading laser systems and technologies under the mentorships of an LLE scientist or engineer.
Broad Exposure to Science & Technology (BEST)
Are you a student or teacher in the Rochester City School District? The BEST program helps students explore the possibilities of a STEM career by learning about laser systems, optics, electronics, holography, and more.
University of Rochester & LLE: A World-Class Scientific Network
LLE’s educational programs are powered by cross-campus collaboration with the University of Rochester. Faculty and academic partners work side-by-side with LLE scientists and engineers to train and mentor students. This creates the world’s largest, most diverse university-based community in high-energy-density science—expanding your research network and mentorship opportunities at every stage of your education.
Where Education Meets Innovation
For over 50 years, LLE has collaborated with universities, national labs, and private industry to build the next generation of scientists, engineers, operators, and technicians.