Chemformation

The Weekly Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

Volume 12, Number 37
Friday, December 6, 1996

Next issue: December 13, 1996. Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. The deadline for the next issue is Tuesday, December 10th. 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/

SEMINAR CALENDAR

Professor Stuart L. Schreiber: Harvard University; "Conditionally Altering the Cellular Function of Proteins Using Chemical Genetics"; Monday, December 9, 1996; 5:00 p.m. in 10-250; 1996 T.Y. Shen Distinguished Lecture in Biological Chemistry; Reception in Norris Room 18-490 immediately following the lecture
Professor Stuart L. Schreiber: Harvard University; "Discovery of Ligands for Use in Chemical Genetics"; Tuesday, December 10, 1996; 4:15 p.m. in 10-250 (note room, time change); 1996 T.Y. Shen Distinguished Lecture in Biological Chemistry; Refreshments @ 3:45 outside of 10-250
Professor Michael Adams: University of Georgia; "Tungsten: a 'Hot' Element Required for Life at the Boiling Point?"; Wednesday, December 11, 1996; MIT @ 4:00 pm in 6-120; Harvard/MIT Inorganic Colloquia; Refreshments @ 3:30 in Moore (6-321)
Professor Gregory C. Rutledge: MIT; "Thermomechanical Properties of Polymers from Molecular Modeling"; Wednesday, December 11, 1996; 3:30 p.m. in 37-252; Program in Polymer Science and Technology
Dr. Wilfred van der Donk: MIT; "Radical Intermediates during Mechanism Based Inactivation of Ribonucleotide Reductase"; Wednesday, December 11, 1996; 3:00 p.m. Room to be announced
Professor Joseph J. Falke: University of Colorado; "Molecular Mechanism of Transmembrane Signaling by the Aspartate Receptor"; Thursday, December 12, 1996; 4:00 p.m. MIT Room 6-120; Refreshments @ 3:45; Seminar in Biological Chemistry
Dan LeCloux: MIT/Lippard Group; "Synthesis and Reactivity of Carboxylate-Bridged Homo-and Heterodimetallic Complexes of Copper (I) and Iron (II)"; Wednesday, December 18, 1996; 4:00 p.m. in 6-120; Refreshments @ 3:30 in 6-321; Seminar in Inorganic Chemistry

Congratulations to Moungi Bawendi Recipient of the Coblentz Award!

The Coblentz Society has chosen Professor Moungi Bawendi as the recipient of the Coblentz Award which recognizes the achievements of an outstanding, young molecular spectroscopist under the age of 36. The award will be given to Professor Bawendi next June at Ohio State University at the Ohio State Symposium.

UROP Research Mentor Program

The Research Mentor Program is designed to pair up experienced UROPers with interested "pre-UROPers" in almost every academic department and lab for a month-long preview of undergraduate research at MIT. Mentors, who must be continuing their UROP's through the end of IAP, will receive a $125 honorarium at the end of IAP and invaluable teaching experience for their efforts. Any qualified mentor or interested pre-UROPer candidates should contact the UROP office by e-mail at urop@mit.edu for more information or drop by 20B-140.

Call for Posters

The Second Annual Siemens/MIT Symposium on Crystallographic Chemical Analysis will be held on Tuesday, January 7, 1997. Proposals for posters that describe the use of crystallography in chemical research are now being accepted. Titles should be submitted to Dr. Bill Davis (root@cheirx3.lms.mit.edu), or leave him a message at 3-1884.

Chemistry Holiday Party

The Departmental Holiday Party will be held on December 19 in the Sala de Puerto Rico on the second floor of the Stratton Student Center. The festivities begin at 3:30 PM and last until about 7:30 PM, and will feature hors dšoeuvres, a cash bar, and buffet dinner. All faculty, staff, postdocs, and students are invited and are encouraged to bring spouses and children. We are interested in volunteers for entertainment (music, skits, etc.) and those interested should contact Tim Swager (18-207) for guidelines. Only pre-approved performances will be accepted! Tickets will be $4 in advance and $6 at the door, children under 10 years are free. Tickets will be available from Ms. Jean Harrington (18-209) and may be purchased between the hours of 12:30 and 2:00 PM daily or at Chemistry Headquarters.

Glass Blowing Services Available

Bob DiGiacomo will be coming in on Wednesdays or Thursdays to pick up any glass blowing work that you may have available. Please bring any work to room 6-031 or call Ed Udas or John Annese at 3-4505. Bob will do the work on a first-come basis.

Help Get Organized!

Call Ed Udas at 253-4505 or stop by room 6-026 if students, faculty or staff need help in organizing their MIT space.

Positions

Houghton Mifflin, Boston, MA: The American Heritage Dictionary staff seeks a dynamic individual to write and edit dictionary entries, especially for physical science terms, coordinate outside contributors, manage specific projects, process all stages of proof, and contribute to research programs. Excellent command of English, 2-4 years of publishing experience, including reference editing, and computer skills. BS/BA degree in a physical science required. MS preferred. Send resume and cover letter including salary requirements to: Houghton Mifflin Company, Attn: Mary Fraser, 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116-3764 or fax to: (617) 351-1106.
Consulting Resources Corporation, Lexington, MA: Research Associate in Consulting for a chemical or biological science or engineering major at the bachelor's or master's level too join their staff. The position involves business research and analysis relating to industrial markets, competitors and strategies. Send letter to: Mr. Roger E. Shamel, President, Consulting Resources Corporation, Six Northbrook Park, Lexington, MA 02173. Please also send a transcript as well as a brief, non-technical writing sample.
Practical Applications, Boston, MA: Seeks a senior scientist for their Boston office with a BA/BS in Chemistry. The candidates responsibilities may include: QA/QC Review for Water/Wastewater Sampling; Design of Treat ability Studies for Water and Wastewater Streams, Training and Presentations, Management of Clean Water Act Self-monitoring Programs for Industrial Discharges and Proposal and Report Writing. Practical Applications is a progressive engineering company based in Boston that specializes in Water and Wastewater Treatment. Send resume and technical writing sample to: Mr. Deran C. Hanesian, Project Engineer, Practical Applications, Inc. 475 C. Street, Boston, Ma 02210 or e-mail: deran@aol.com
Illinois State Geological Survey, Champaign, IL: Seeks an assistant staff scientist in the minerals engineering section to assist and support research on projects relating to the utilization of flue gas desulfarization by-products as well as the effects of chlorine in coal on boiler corrosion; assist in conducting research, laboratory experiments and service work related to waste utilization and environmental issues; research data, enter data into computer and prepare reports. Please apply to: Human Resources, Illinois State Geological Survey, 129 Natural Resources Building, 615 East Peabody Drive, Champaign, Illinois, 61820 or 217-244-2401 or fax: 217-244-7004 or email: walston@geoserv.isgs.uiuc.edu
Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA: Magnetic Resonance and Advanced Instrumentation Specialist in the Science Center Office to develop and maintain advanced scientific instruments in the Science Center, including two magnetic resonance spectrometers, their data acquisition and processing system; trains faculty and student users of advanced instrumentation; works with faculty and students to develop new curricular and research applications of advanced instrumentation; supports high-end computer hardware and software; develops and maintains interfaces between computers and laboratory equipment; prepares user documentation; supervises student assistants and schedules class and research use of equipment. A Ph.D. in Chemistry or physics with extensive knowledge of and at least five years experience in development and maintenance of magnetic resonance hardware and software, including pulse programming; software, experience interfacing computers with scientific instruments; excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written. Send letter of application and resume and names of three references to: Patricia E. Basque, Associate Director of Human Resources, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA 02181 by December 13th.

Postdoctoral Positions

Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA: A postdoctoral position is available in the Center for Molecular Imaging Research. The overall goal of the research is to conjugate peptides and proteins to dextran coated particulates in an effort to synthesis target specific imaging probes for magnetic resonance imaging. The position is available immediately. Send CV and cover letter: Dr. Ralph Weissleder, Director, CMIR, Mass. General Hospital, 149, 13th Street, Room 5403, Charlestown, MA 02129.
University of Washington, Seattle, WA: Seeks inorganic or organometallic chemists with experience in synthetic, kinetic, and mechanistic studies to be candidates for a postdoctoral position in the group of Professor James M. Mayer for early 1997. Experience with electrochemistry and kinetic modeling would be a plus, but the quality of the individual is more important than background. The project involves studies of C-H oxidation by coordination complexes. Applicants interested in more information should contact Professor Mayer directly by mail at University of WA, Department of Chemistry, Box 351700, Seattle, WA 98195-1700 or call him at (206) 543-2083 or e-mail mayer@chem.washington.edu

Faculty Positions

Please note, unless otherwise specified, most faculty positions require a resume, short description of research plans and to arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the specific university or college.

Buffalo State University, Buffalo, New York: Seeks an analytical chemist for fall of 1997. Postdoctoral and teaching experience is desirable. The candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate courses in general analytical chemistry and instrumental analysis, including the topics of spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemistry, as well as teach a graduate level special topics in analytical chemistry. Send application by December 20th to: Dr. Gregory W. Ebert, Professor and Chairman, Department of Chemistry, Buffalo State University, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14222.
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, WI: Seeks two professors, one in analytical chemistry and the other in environmental or materials/science or polymer chemistry. Both involve teaching and establishing research programs. Send to: Professor James Hamilton, Chair, Chemistry Search Committee, Department of Chemistry and Physics, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, 1 University Plaza, Platteville, WI, 538918-3099
Kent State University, Kent, Ohio: Seeks three professors in the fields of analytical, materials/inorganic and inorganic/chemistry (liquid Crystals synthesis). Candidates would be expected to teach freshman chemistry and should possess a Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience. Send applications by December 31st to: Professor Rathindra N. Bose, Chairman, Department of Chemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242-0001.

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