Chemformation

The Weekly Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

Volume 16, Number 11
Friday, April 4, 1997

Next issue: Friday, April 11. Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. The deadline for the next issue is Tuesday, April 8. Please convey items of interest (or mailing list changes) to Julie Carlin, Room 18-390, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617/253-1803; 617/258-7500 (fax) or e-mail to juliec@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

Dr. Lluis Ribas de Pouplana: Schimmel Lab/MIT Biology; "Evolution of Genetic Code Components: the tRNA Synthetases"; Monday, April 7, 1997; 12 pm in 68-181; Macromolecular Structure/Function Seminar Series
Dr. Karen R. Romines: Pharmacia and Upjohn; "Asymmetric Synthesis of Dihydropyrones. A New Class of Potent Nonpeptidic HIV Protease Inhibitors"; Tuesday, April 8, 1997; 9:30 am in 6-120; Chemistry 5.561 - "Chemistry in Industry" Lecture Series
Professor Jik Chin: McGill University; "Structure and Phosphodiesterase Activity of Dinuclear Metal Complexes"; Wednesday, April 9, 1997; 5:00 tba (Harvard University); Harvard/MIT Inorganic Colloquia
Professor Shelley Copley: University of Colorado at Boulder; "Exploration of the Relationship Between Tetracholorohyoquinone Dehalogenase and the Glutathione S-Transferase Superfamily"; Thursday, April 10, 1997; 4:00 pm in 6-120; Refreshments @ 3:30 outside of 6-120; Seminar in Biological Chemistry
Professor David Nelson: Harvard University; "Localization, Population Biology, and Related Problems"; Thursday, April 10, 1997; 5:00 in MB23 (Harvard University); Refreshments @ 4:30 outside MB23; Harvard/MIT Seminar @ Harvard
Professor Jan-Erling Bäckvall: Uppsala University; "Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidation of Allenes and Conjugated Dienes"; Friday, April 11, 1997; 4:00 in 2-105; Seminar in Organic Chemistry
Ciaran Brennan: Keith Nelson Group; "Wavector Overtone Spectroscopy: Characterizing potential energy surfaces in crystals through large-amplitude ionic vibrations"; Friday, April 11, 1997; 5:00 p.m. in 4-163; Refreshments @ 4:45 in 6-321 (Moore Room); Graduate Seminar Series in Physical Chemistry, Spring 1997
Cameron Haase-Pettingell: MIT Department of Biology - King Lab; "Switching from Productive Folding to Off-Pathway Aggregation: Restriction of Temperature Sensitive Folding Mutations to the Beta Coil Domain of the P22 Tailspike"; Monday, April 14, 1997; 12 p.m. in Room 68-181; Seminar in Biology

Chemistry 5.561 - "Chemistry in Industry" Lecture Series

All Lectures will take place at 9:30 am in Room 6-120. (Please note that this is a revised time.)

April 8, 1997:: Dr. Karen R. Romines, Pharmacia and Upjohn; "Asymmetric Synthesis of Dihydropryones. A New Class of Potent Nonpeptidic HIV Protease Inhibitors"
April 29, 1997:: Dr. Cyril Mahaim, Chemical Development - Firmenich, Inc.; "Industrial Synthesis of Fragrance Compounds"
May 6, 1997:: Dr. David L. Coffen, Vice-President, Chemistry - Arqule; "Automated Parallel Synthesis: A New Tool for Drug Discovery"
May 13, 1997:: Dr. Stephen W. Kaldor, Head, Combinatorial Chemistry Research Eli Lilly and Company; "From Structure-Based Design to Combinatorial Chemistry: Skill Sets for the Successful 21st Century Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry"

Please Join Us at the American Chemical Society Reception!!

All faculty, graduate students, and alumni/ae attending the spring ACS Meeting in San Francisco are welcome to attend the social hour on Monday, April 14th, 1997 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the Sir Frances Drake Hotel, Room: Tudor A.

Tune-Up for T.A.'s Spring '97

On Wednesday, April 16th please join us from 3:30 to 5:00 pm in the Moore Room 6-321 for "The End is in Sight!", (What's working, what isn't, and Facilitating communication between students and faculty), the last of the spring tune-up series. Refreshments will be served.

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, first-served basis.

Requests for Pre-Proposals for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Sea Grant Program

The WHOI Sea Grant program supports research, education and advisory projects to promote a wise use and understanding of ocean and coastal resources for the public benefit. It is part of the National Sea Grant College Program of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a network of 29 individual programs. During the 1996-98 funding cycle, the WHOI will support 18 concurrent research projects, including those that were awarded during the special enhancement competition in 1995. Average awards for individuals are $50,000 per year. The theme areas for 1998-2000 are: fisheries and aquaculture environmental technology and coastal processes, however, preproposals representing other areas will be considered. For marine policy proposals, preference will be given to projects that fit into one of the above-mentioned theme areas. Their website describes all their programs (http://www.whoi.edu/seagrant/). Their deadline for preproposals is April 18th, and a two-page summary of your research with the following format is desired: PI, Dept. Institution and project title, 1. description, 2. rationale for project, 3. innovativeness, 4. application and outreach, 5. estimated duration of project, and 6. budget. Please send an original and six copies to: Dr. Judith E. McDowell, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Sea Grant Program, 193 Oyster Pond Road, MS #2, Woods Hole, MA 02543-1525, e-mail: seagrant@whoi.edu

Positions

Excalibur Human Resource's client, Bristol-Myers Squibb: In both Princeton, NJ and Wallinford, CT have openings for associate research scientists. The scientists will be working with a Ph.D. supervisor synthesizing compounds in the laboratory within either the oncology, metabolic diseases, or combinatorial chemistry departments. Candidates should possess a B.S. with 1-2 years relevant experience or an MS with no experience. Please contact: Marianne Kneuker at 1800-922-5427, ext. 25.
Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA: Instructional Staff in the Department of Chemistry for a permanent, non-tenure track position for September of 1997. Candidates should have a Master's or Ph.D. in chemistry or biochemistry and must have a demonstrated interest in teaching at the undergraduate level. Principal responsibilities will include labs and recitation sections in General Chemistry. Ancillary duties may ultimately include undergraduate advising, developing experiments for upper level biochemistry and instrumental analysis courses, and providing assistance to ongoing summer research programs. Interested applicants should send a resume, transcripts, and three letters of reference to: Michael A. Pleva, Head, Department of Chemistry, Washington and Lee University, Lexington. VA 24450
Indofine Chemical Company, Inc., Somerville, NJ: Seeks chemist/biochemist with a good background in organic chemistry, biochemistry, natural products and chemical characterization. Excellent computer skills and knowledge of Chem Draw are essential. Foreign graduate and postgraduate students (teaching and research assistants) are welcome to apply. Send your resume to: PO Box 917, Somerville, NJ 08876 or fax to: 908-359-1179 and viist their web site at: http://www.indofinechemical.com and e-mail: chemical@indofinechemical.com

Postdoctoral Positions

Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas: Has an opening in the research group of D. Max Roundhill, Chairman of the Department who has experience in synthesis and/or coordination chemistry. The position will involve the synthesis of new chemically modified calixarenes for use as science complexants for heavy metals. A background in either organic or inorganic chemistry is suitable. Interested candidates should send a CV outlining educational and work experience directly to Professor Roundhill plus the names of at least three people who will act as a reference to: Texas Tech University, Box 41061, Lubbock, Texas 79409-1061.
American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C.: Offers a unique opportunity for a scientist to join the ACS staff and complete one or more selected science policy projects that contribute to the Society's discussions and recommendations in areas of importance to the scientific community, assist in the development of official ACS policy statements and testimony for Congress, and meet with Capitol Hill staff and federal agency officials. The fellowship is for one or two years with an annual salary of $40K with ACS benefits packages as well as a relocation allowance. Support from present employer and other sources is allowed. ACS members, at any point in their careers, may apply, and a Ph.D. is not a requirement. Applications are due by June 2, 1997. For more information and application instructions, contact: Wanda Guice at (202) 872-4479, e-mail: w_guice@asc.org. or write to: ACS, Dept. of Governmental Relations and Science Policy, 1155 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20036.
Hoechst Celanese, Somerville, NJ: Seeks postdoctoral candidates for staffing in their 193 nm resist development program. The requirements are for candidates with a strong synthetic polymer chemistry background although strong candidates with an organic synthesis background would be considered. The postions will probably be one year in length with the extension of two. Please contact: Dana Durham, Director of Technology, AZ Photoresist Products, 70 Meister Avenue, Somerville, New Jersey, 08876, Phone: 908-429-3532, fax: 908-429-3634, or email: durham@AZPBBT1.HCC.COM

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.

Mercer University, Macon, GA: Seeks a visiting assistant professor to start August 1, 1997. Candidate should have Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry, to teach physical and general chemistry, conduct research with high quality undergraduates, and teach scientific inquiry course to entering students. Please send vita, description of undergraduate research projects, teaching philosophy, three letters of recommendation, and copies of both undergraduate and graduate transcripts to: Dr. Bob Hargrove, Mercer University, Macon, GA 31207 or e-mail at hargrove_rj@mercer.edu.
University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, Puerto Rico: Seeks applicants for an analytical chemist position to begin as early as August of 1997. The search for candidates includes those with interests in spectroscopy, MS, NMR of large molecules or separation (i.e. capillary electrophoresis). Applicants should have post-doctoral experience and demonstrate the ability to establish a vigorous research program. Send information by 5/15 to: Professor Reginald Morales, Chair, Dept. of Chemistry, Rio Pedras Campus, University of Puerto Rico, PO Box 23346, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00931-3346.

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