Chemformation

The Weekly Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

Volume 12, Number 24
Friday, July 19, 1996

Note, we are on a summer schedule and will not publish Chemformation weekly. Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. Please convey items of interest (or mailing list changes) to Linda Earle, Room 18-393, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617/253-4080; 617/258-7500 (fax) or email to lkn@mit.edu Back issues of Chemformation can be accessed via the Chemistry Department Website.

Visit the Chemistry Department Website at http://web.mit.edu/chemistry/www/

Department Honors and Awards

Professor Sylvia T. Ceyer Named to Sheehan Professorship

Professor Sylvia T. Ceyer has been named the second holder of the John C. Sheehan Chair in the Department of Chemistry. Dr Ceyer succeeds Professor JoAnne Stubbe who was the first recipient of the chair. Professor Ceyer was honored with this Professorship for her prominent role in research, teaching, and service. The award was established by MIT in 1992 to honor the late Professor Sheehan, a member of the Chemistry Department since 1946, who is remembered internationally for developing the first practical synthesis of penicillin.

Professor Bruce Tidor Awarded Cook Chair

The Chemistry Department congratulates Professor Bruce Tidor who was selected as the School of Science recipient of the Paul M. Cook Career Development Professorship for a three-year term beginning July 1st of this year. A generous gift by Mr. Paul M. Cook, ChemE'48 enabled the Institute to establish the professorship and support a junior faculty member with a strong interest in materials and chemical sciences in the Schools of Science and Engineering.

Congratulations to Professor Steve Lippard

Congratulations to Professor Steve Lippard on his being elected as an honorary member of the Italian Chemical Society for "excellent achievements in understanding fundamental properties of metal ions through the tools of coordination chemistry and in exploring them in medicine and biology." Professor Lippard will travel to Italy to be officially welcomed into the society at one of their major meetings scheduled sometime in 1997.

Missing Slide Projectors

Do you know the whereabouts of the Department's slide projectors? If so, please return them to headquarters, thanks very much.

Online Search Workshop Offered by Science Library Services

As a part of library services to chemistry and chemical engineering information users of the M.I.T. community, the Science Library and STN/CAS offer the following online search workshop for students, postdocs, visiting scientists, and faculty: "Introduction to Chemical Abstracts Online Search," July 24, 1996 (Wednesday), 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Room 14-0645 (in Hayden Library basement). Since the space in the training room and the number of PCs are limited, preference will be given to those who can attend the entire day, 9AM-4PM. Only currrently registered students and employees of MIT are eligible to participate. If you are interested in attending, please register by replying to this message. If you cannot attend the entire day's training or otherwise wish to cancel your space, please contact us immediately. Heahyun Yoo, Assistant Librarian for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering 14S-134, Science Library M.I.T. Cambridge, MA 02139-4307 Tel:(617)253-3528 Fax:(617)253-6365.

Photos Wanted for the Chemistry Department Contest

The Department of Chemistry is sponsoring a photography contest and students, staff, and faculty are welcome to submit their orginal photographs taken of any subject or place in the world. You must have taken the photo yourself and it can be either black/white or color. Winners will have their photo enlarged and framed (cost incurred by the Department) and they will adorn the walls of chemistry Headquarters (18-390) for as long as you remain in the Department. Don't miss this great opportunity to share your art with us; the deadline is August 31, 1996.

Chemistry Industrial Internship Program

Beginning in July 1996, the M.I.T. Chemistry Department will initiate a program to encourage graduate students to spend a brief period in the laboratory of an industrial collaborator. Graduate students and faculty supervisors will have the choice of a number of companies and projects from which to choose, and individual faculty and students are particularly encouraged to propose additional possibilities based on their interactions with specific companies. A typical internship assignment would be three months during the Summer semester, although other times and durations may be considered.

If properly designed, the Internship has tremendous potential for enhancing the graduate student's research experience, in addition to providing experience in an industrial environment which is currently lacking in the graduate regimen. A few examples of possible internship assignments might be:

• a student who had discovered a new catalytic reaction might cooperate with one or more scientists in industry interested in using the catalyst to develop new products.
• someone studying suicide substrates or enzyme reactions might be interested in working with a pharmaceutical company to develop a new diagnostic or therapeutic product.
• synthetic chemists might collaborate with their counterparts in industry to prepare a closely-related target molecule of interest to the company.
• physical chemistry students developing new methods for thin film characterization (mechanical, thermal, and adhesion properties) could study industry-provided samples at M.I.T., then carry a prototype instrument to be used on-site during their Internship. The student would make the measurements and build and test the instrument at M.I.T., then spend several months at the company incorporating the technology into their R & D or manufacturing environment.
• students working on environmentally related research topics (such as participants in the N.S.F. Training Grant) could spend several months working on problems related to remediation, environmental monitoring, or "green design" in industry, government laboratories, or regulatory agencies.

A Committee, consisting of Profs. J. Steinfeld (Program Director), R. Danheiser, A. Klibanov, D. Seyferth, and L. Stern, has been formed to set policy and oversee the Program. At the most recent meeting of the Committee, the following principles were agreed upon:

Educational Objectives. The internship is intended to enhance and further explore one or more aspects of the studentUs Ph.D. thesis research, in addition to providing the experience in an industrial environment referred to earlier. It is not intended that the internship would significantly lengthen the overall stay of a graduate student in the Department. The chemistry student would prepare a Project Proposal with the assistance of his or her faculty supervisor and the SponsorUs designated representative, which will be of interest to and approved by the Sponsor. The proposal will be reviewed and approved by the Internship Committee as being appropriate research which will ultimately constitute a part of the student's published thesis.

In addition to including project work in the studentUs thesis and describing it in research group seminars, it is also important that the interns share their experiences with students thinking about choosing future assignments and with the Department as a whole; we are considering an integrating activity such as a one-day "Interns Day", with individual presentations and panel discussions, as a format for this.

Eligibility. Students will be eligible for internship assignments following completion of the General Examination (oral and written parts). The duration of an internship will be not be longer than three months, although exceptions may be made for extraordinary individual circumstances. The assignments will not be restricted to the Summer term. In any case, assignments will be on the basis of mutual agreement among the student, his or her research supervisor, and the host company.

Financial arrangements. A stipend will be paid to the intern for each month that the student is at the company site. The student will continue to be enrolled as a graduate student, with tuition and other benefits, including medical insurance, paid through the employee benefits pool. The host company will be asked to provide a relocation and housing allowance which will reflect the cost associated with the internship site and whether housing can be provided for the intern.

It is expected that the student will sign a proprietary information agreement with the host company, which provides that the student will be permitted to describe his or her experience in general terms within the Department after returning from the assignment, and to include a brief summary in their Thesis. A copy of this agreement is available for inspection on request.

A listing of available internship assignments is being compiled and will be maintained in the Chemistry Graduate Office. Further information may be obtained from the Chair of the Chemistry Industrial Internship Committee, Prof. J.I. Steinfeld (Room 2-221; X 3-4525; e-mail jisteinf@mit.edu).

Research Grants Available to Study in Germany

The Deutscher Akademischer AustauschDients (German Academic Exchange Service) is a private, publicly funded, self-governing organization of higher education instutions in Germany. DAAD promotes international academic relations and cooperation, especially through exchange programs for student and faculty. The head office of DAAD is located in Bonn, and there are branch offices in Berline, Beijing, Cairo, Jakarta,London, Moscow, Nairobi, New Delhi, New York, Paris Rio de Janeiro, San José (Costa Rica) and Tokyo. There is a short term grant available for enabling recent Ph.D.'s and Ph.D. candidates to carry out disseratation or post-doctoral research at libraries, archives, institutes or laboratories in Germany for a period of one to six months during the calendar year. In general, Ph.D.'s (up to 2 years after the degree) not older than 35 and Ph.D. candidates not older than 32 may apply. The grant consists of a monthly maintenance allowance, international travel subsidy and health insurance, deadline is November 1. Applications are available by downloading from the website (http://www.daad.org) or contacting DAAD, 950 Third Avenue, New York, New York, 10022. Completed applications must be returned by mail. Applications by e-mail and those postmarked after the deadline cannot be processed. Also contact Milena M. Levak at the MIT. International Student Office at 3-3795.

Vacancies on the Chemical Hygiene/Safety Committee

Graduate students interested in joining the Chemistry Department Chemical Hygiene and Safety Committee are invited to submit their names to Professor Rick Danheiser (18-297; danheisr@mit.edu). Members of the Committee participate in inspections of department laboratories (approximately one inspection per month) and attend meetings (ca. 2 per year) to discuss and formulate Chemistry Department safety policy. No prior experience in safety-related matters is necessary.

Positions

• National University of Singapore. Dr Pak-Hing LEUNG, one of the Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore. Recently, has been given the task of looking for an academic who can supervises our X-ray section. The proposed academic should have post doc experience and is able to teach chemistry at all levels. The appointment will be in the lecturer scale or above. lease pass my e-mail address to any potential candidate for more details.Leung Pak Hing (chmlph@leonis.nus.sg)
  
  
• Pall Corporation, Port Washington, NY: is a Fortune 500 company and the world leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of sophisticated filters and other fluid clarification devices for Health Care, Aeropower and Fluid Processing Markets. Openings exists for a wide variety of positions including engineers, lab analysts, technical sales representatives to name a few. Contact Voula K. Serres, Human Resource Manager at Pall Corporation, 25 Harbor Park Drive, Port WA, NY 11050 and the phone is (516) 484-3600 or fax (516) 484-3651 or call toll-free, (800) 645-6532.
  
  
• Quantum Energy Technologies: Cambridge, MA: Quantum Energy Technologies is a company originated from MIT and located next the MIT campus. Their effort involves research and development of energy related materials for future technical solutions. They are looking to expand their R&D team with a full time Ph.D. scientist. Dr. Christina Lampe-Onnerud, is an MIT affiliate and a former Postdoc at MIT. her background includes work on thin film development, low-dimensional compounds and high energy density batteries. Position is for an organic chemist with a Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience is a plus. Work in a team atmosphere with new organic synthesis, process optimization and surface/bulk modification of desired materials. Beginning summer of 1996. Send resume with references to: Dr. C. Lampe-Onnerud, Quantum Energy Technologies, 238 Main Street, Suite #201, Cambridge, MA 02142, or by e-mail at: lampe-onnerud@msn.com or questions, call (617) 497-4831.
  
  
• Cypress Research, Inc. Woodlands, Texas: A search firm recruiting on the following positions. A catalyst chemist (095) with a Ph.D. in polymer science, inorganic or organometallic chemistry with 0-5 years experience in catalysis. Will synthesize, design and test new metallocene compounds for polymerization. Requires a highly creative experimental chemist with excellent understanding of organometallic chemistry in the Texas gulf area. A polymer scientist (096) in inorganic or organometallic chemistry with 0-5 years experience. Strong synthesis/polymerization background. Will make new polymers from metallocene compounds for various polymer applications. Work closely with catalyst chemists, Texas gulf coast area. The research chemist position (107) should possess a Ph.D. in polymer science, organic or organometallic chemistry with 0-5 years experience in polymerization catalysis and condensation polymers. Job involves synthesis and preparation of catalysis for olefin polymerization. Must be high energy, position in the Northeast. Contact: Ms. Wendy Gentile at Cypress Research, PO Box 9746, The Woodlands, Texas 77387. (713) 367-5427 or fax at (713) 292-4892 and refer to the job number.
  
  
• Saint Anselm College, Manchester, NH: Two temporary part-time positions available starting August 26, 1996. Primary responsibility for each position will be to teach: 1-2 sections of General Chemistry or 4 sections of Organic Chemistry Laboratory. Additional responsibilities include laboratory set-up and attendance at weekly meetings. Bachelor's degree in Chemistry required. Master's preferred. Candidate should submit application letter, vita and two references to: Human Resources, Saint Anselm College, 100 St. Anselm Drive, Manchester, NH 01302-1310.
  
  
• National Park Service, Cape Cod, MA:Chemist, GS-1320-9, located within the Division of Natural Resources Programs at Cape Cod National Seashore. You may apply for this job with a resume, the optional application or federal employment (OF612), or any other written form you choose. Copy of the application is in the blue binder in headquarters. You must submit a transcript; Form C and SF-15 with required documentary proof. Submit your application to: Philadelphia Service Center, US Office of Personnel Management, 600 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Application forms may be obtained by contacting the Career America Connection at 9215) 597-7440 or (912) 757-3000; or if you have access to a personal computer and modem you may contact their federal job opportunities boards at (FJOB) at (912) 757-3100.
  
  
• DuPont/Merck Pharmaceutical Company: Seeking an organic synthetic chemist to assume responsibility for performing multi-step synthesis of various organic compounds related to the radiopharmaceutical discovery process. The individual will purify compounds using recrystalization, distillations, HPLC column chromatography, and characterize compounds using various analytical techniques (IR, NMR, TLC, GC/MS and high resolution MS). The position requires a BA/BS in chemistry with one year of experience or equivalent combination of training and experience. Qualified applicants should send resume/letter with salary history to: Human Resources, The DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Company, 331 Treble Cove Road, North Billerica, MA 01862.
  
  

Postdoctoral Fellowship

• Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire: A postdoctoral position available beginning in the fall of 1996 in the group of Dr. Thomas Spencer for his project on "Oxysterol Regulation of Cholesterol Metabolism" supported by NIH. The research involves considerable organic synthesis and structural identification of oxysterols and related compounds, as well as involvement in analysis of biological samples for their oxysterol content. The exact experimental emphasis would depend on the background, interest and strengths of the appointee. For more information, see Accounts of Chemical Research, 1994, 27, 83-90. In addition to continuing the types of studies described the article, they are currently trying to elucidate the structure of, and then synthesize a potentially exciting new type of regulatory substance by a collaborator. Applicants should possess a strong background in organic synthesis and/or instrumental analysis and an interest in bioorganic research. Please send a cv and a brief summary of research and accomplishements and have three letters of recommendation sent to: Professor Thomas Spencer, internet: taspen@dartmouth.edu or phone(603) 646-2805 or fax (603) 646-3946.
  
  
• Toshinori Suzuki, Institute for Molecular Science, Myodaiji, Okazaki, 444 Japan Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position to study photodissociation and bimolecular reaction dynamics in the gas phase. (1) A molecular beam method is coupled with 1D time-of-flight and 2D ion imaging techniques using nanosecond and femtosecond lasers. Detailed dynamics of molecular energy transfer and photodissociation is studied by the measurement of the time evolution, velocity distribution, and alignment of reaction products. (2) Crossed molecular beam method is employed to study inelastic and reactive scattering processes. A photolytic O(1D) atomic beam is employed to investigate reactions of importance in atmospheric chemistry. Scattering distributions of products are mapped out by 2D ion imaging method. Candidates with experience in lasers, molecular beams are encouraged to apply. For further information, please contact Prof. Toshinori Suzuki, Institute for Molecular Science, Myodaiji, Okazaki, 444 Japan.(suzuki@ims.ac.jp; FAX 81-564-54-2254) The same information is on Molecular Dynamics News, June 1996 issue.
  
  
• University of Washington, Seattle, WA: Professor Karen I. Goldberg has a postdoctoral position in her research group. Interested applicants should send a cv and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent as soon as possible. The position will be available in early fall of 1996. Exceptional candidates with any background are encouraged to apply. She is particularly interested in inorganic or organometallic chemists with experience in kinetic and mechanistic analysis and having skills in synthesis and spectroscopy. A description of her research program is offered on the Web at http://www/chem.washington.edu/facgoldberg.html. Contact her by phone at (206) 616-2973 or e-mail goldberg@chem.washington.edu
  
  
• Auburn University, Alabama: An opening for a postdoctoral fellowship in the area of chemistry phenomena in plasma processing has become available in the laboratory of Dr. Rik Blumenthal. Specifically, the work will utilize a new mass spectrometric method to probe the gas-phase chemical composition of a low pressure microwave plasma. For a description of this method, see Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A14 (1996) 952.. The primary focus of the work will be on diamond film deposition, although forays into other areas of plasma processing, such as etching or deposition of semiconductors or metals is possible depending on the interests and expertise of the successful candidate. The position will be available on August 1, 1996, and is a one-year appointment, with the possibility of renewal depending on funding. Review of applicants will begin July 15 and continue until the position is filled. Requirements include a Ph.D. in chemistry, physics or related field, experience in plasma processing or chemical issues related to plasma processes, and an interest in the same. Send a brief description of research interests, resume and three letters of recommendation to Dr. Rik Blumenthal, Department of Chemistry, Auburn University, Alabama 36849. E-mail: blumeri@mail.auburn.edu, or phone: (334)-844-6963.
  
  
• University of Rochester, Rochester, New York, Seeks applicants for two new postdoctoral positions in the lab of Professor Richard Eisenberg. The first position involves the synthesis, reaction chemistry and catalytic behavior of phosphine complexes of the platinum group elements. Planned efforts include examination of potential catalysts in aqueous media and unusual environment such as dendrimers. The second position involves research on the synthesis, spectroscopy and photochemistry of platinum group element complexes containing dithiolate ligands and the development of the complexes into multi-component assemblies for the promotion of light-driven energy-storing reactions. The appointments are for one year and are renewable subject to mutual agreement and availability of funds. Please submit a letter of application a cv and any relevant publications and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to: Professor Richard Eisenberg, University of Rochester, Department of Chemistry, Rochester, New York 14627-0216. Phone (716( 275-5573, Fax: (716) 473-6889 or internet: RSE7@chem.Rochester.edu
  
  

Faculty Positions

• University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontonario: The Department of Chemistry seeks applicants for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in Organic Chemistry effective on or after July 1, 1997. Applicants should possess a Ph.D. in organic chemistry, a strong academic background and an excellent research record. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct an active and innovative research program and to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Applications will be accepted unti October 15,th, 1996 and salary is commensurate with experience. Applicants should provide a curriculum vitae, a publications list, a statement of teaching interests, and an outline of the proposed research and should arrange to have three confidential letters of recommendation sent on their behalf to: Chair of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto, 80 St. George Street, Room 150, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3H6.
  
  
• John Jay College of Criminal Justice- The City University of New York, New York, City:,Assistant Professor, Forensic/Analytical Chemistry (subject to financial ability). Teach courses for undergraduate/graduate students in instrumental analysis, chemistry and the basic sciences for non-science majors. Mentor students with undergraduate/graduate research projects. Develop scholarly publications and provide service to the College and community. Ph.D. in analytical chemistry or forensic science. Background in forensic science desirable. Send letters of application, curriculum vitae and three references by August 2, 1996 to: Dr. Selman Berger, Chairperson, Department of Sciences, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, 445 West 59th Street, New York, NY 10019.
  
  
• Brown University, Providence, RI: Brown University has a temporary 1/2 or 1 year teaching position for a Ph.D. chemist. The course for the fall semester is an introductory chemistry; the course for the spring semester is an upper level physical chemistry course. The position is available starting September 1996. Please contact: Gerard Diebold e-mail: gerald_diebold@brown.edu
  
  
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA: Seeks an assistant professor in physical chemistry, for August of 1997, especially candidates with exceptional promise for research and teaching in Physical chemistry, a Ph.D. is required and postdoctoral experience is desirable. Applicants should submit a cv, publication list, and a research plan with start-up requirements. Application materials and three letters of recommendation should be sent to: Tom Ward, Chairman Physical Search Committee, Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0344.
  
  
• Instituto Technologico de Tijuana, San Ysidro, CA: The Research Center of Instituto Tecnolsearch to fill three Assistant Professor positions in Polymers, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry and Electrochemistry; Teaching responsibilities will include graduate and undergraduate Chemistry. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. and have an outstanding record in teaching and teaching. Proficiency in Spanish is essential. Applicants from Mexico and Latin America will be given preferential consideration. Applicants should send a cv, selected reprints, a brief description of previous and anticipated research to: Pilar Sanchez M.. Centro de Braduados e Investigacion, Instituto Tecnológico de Tijuana, 4492 Camino de la Plaza, Suite TIF-1200, San Ysidro, CA 92173-3097 or e-mail: itt@mail.tij.cetys.mx
  
  

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