Chemformation

The Weekly Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

October 3, 1997

Next issue: The Next issue is October 10, 1997, Deadline for submission of material is Tuesday, October 7th. Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. Please convey items of interest (or mailing list changes) to Linda Earle Room 18-390, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617/253-1803; 617/258-7500 (fax) or e-mail 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

Karen Sandman

Dept. of Chemistry, MIT

"Development of DNA-binding Platinum-containing Anti-Cancer Drug Candidates"

Monday, October 6, 1997

12:00 p.m in 68-132

Macromolecular Structure/Function Seminar Series

 

Aaron Odom

Cummins Group

"Synthesis in Cr, Mo, and U Amido Chemistry: Protonolysis, NO Cleavage, and Dinitrogen Binding"

Wednesday, October 8, 1997

4:00 p.m. in Room 6-120

Seminar in Inorganic Chemistry

Refreshments @ 3:30 lobby of 6-120

 

Professor Joseph Zyss

Laboratoire de Photonique Quantique et Moléculaire, Départment de Physique,

Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan

"Photoinduced Multipolar Processes: From Molecular to Photonic Engineering"

Tuesday, October 14, 1997

4:00 p.m. in Room 2-105

Physical Chemistry Seminar Series

Refreshments @ 3:30 in 6-233

 

Deborah Zamble

Dept. of Chemistry, MIT

"The Role of DNA Repair and Apoptosis in the Anti- Cancer Drug Cisplatin"

Monday, October 20, 1997

12:00 p.m. in 68-132

Macromolecular Structure/Function Seminar Series

 

Professor Gerald F. Joyce

The Scripps Research Institute

"The In Vitro RNA World"

Wednesday, October 22, 1997

4:00 p.m. in 6-120

The T.Y. Shen Seminar in Biological Chemistry

Reception - Norris Room 18-490

 

Professor Gerald F. Joyce

The Scripps Research Institute

"A Small But Very Efficient DNA Enzyme"

Thursday, October 23, 1997

4:00 p.m. in 6-120

The T.Y. Shen Seminar in

Biological Chemistry

Refreshments outside of 6-120 @ 3:30

Careers in Education at Principally Undergraduate Institutions

Saturday, October 4, 1997

Room 6-120

9 AM to 5:30 PM

8:00 am

Registration and Breakfast

8:55 am

Welcome and Introductory Remarks

Stephen J. Lippard, Head, Department of Chemistry, MIT

9:00 am

Michael P. Doyle

Professor of Chemistry, University of Arizona and Vice President, Research Corporation

"Scholarship Reconsidered: Careers in Chemistry at Undergraduate Institutions"

9:40 am

Professor John Walters,St. Olaf College

Teaching at a Principally Undergraduate Institution

"What I Learned at School Today"

10:20 am

Professor Ronald G. Brisbois, Hamline University

Research at a Principally Undergraduate Institution:

"CpCO-Cyclobutadienyl-Bridged Cyclophanes and Ketene Cycloadditions"

11:00 am

Coffee Break

11:30 am

Panel Discussion: "Is a Career at a Principally Undergraduate Institution Right for Me?"

Professor Mark Marshall	Amherst College
Professor Lee Park	Williams College
Professor Claude Wintner	Haverford College

12:30 pm

Lunch in Ashdown House (Hulsizer Room)

(Tickets required, available before 9/30 from Marsha Myles, 18-284)

AFTERNOON SESSION

2:00 pm

Professor Julia Hendrix Miwa, Wellesley College

"School Didn't Prepare Me for This: What to Expect in the First Years on the Job"

2:40 pm

Professor Joan Broderick, Amherst College

Research at a Principally Undergraduate Institution:

"Radical Generation: A New Role for Iron-Sulfur Proteins"

3:20 pm

Professor William Polik, Hope College

"Tapping into Funding Resources: Proposal Writing at PUI's"

4:30 pm

Panel Discussion: "Landing a Job at a Principally Undergraduate Institution"

Professor Richard Broene	Bowdoin College
Professor Helen Leung	Mt. Holyoke College
Professor Jay Thoman	Williams College

5:30 pm

Closing Remarks

Graduate Students - Sign up for the Chemistry Telethon

The Annual Chemistry Telethon will take place on Wednesday, October 15th from 6:00-10:00 p.m. in the Bush Room 1-0-105. Contact Jen Zarutskie (jzarutsk@mit.edu) who is the coordinator - she would love to hear from you! Remember, there is good food as well as great prizes!

Post-Docs and Graduate Students -
Have Lunch With Professor Joyce

Graduate Students and Post-docs are welcome to meet with Professor Joyce on Wednesday, October 22nd from 11:30-1 in the Norris Room 18-490. Please sign up on the sheet outside of Susan Brighton's office 18-392.

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.

Glass Blowing Services Available

Bob DiGiacomo will be coming in on Wednesdays or Thursdays after Labor Day 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.

Positions

• Bend Research, Inc.Bend, Oregon: Has openings for chemists, chemical engineers, and laboratory technicians at all degree levels and at various levels to work in the areas of development of pharmaceutical formulations for human health, and two advanced separations. Check their website at: http://www.bendres.com or call email: to maier@bendres.com or contact them at Bend Research, Inc. 64550 Research Road, Bend, Oregon, 97701-8599.

• Cornell University, Ithaca, NY: Seeks research associate for physical chemistry with specific expertise in molecular reaction dynamics with Professor Paul Houston for the first three months in January of 1998.Duties are conducting experiments on the laser photodissociaiton of radicals and state-selected molecules, conducting experiments on the laser crossed molecular beams probed by laser and imaging techniques, and assisting in the administration of a research group of 10 students. Contact Paul L. Houston, Baker Laboratory, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853-1301.

• Rockefeller University needs a NMR Spectroscopist Skilled spectroscopist needed to support programs in Structural Biology, Chemistry, & Biochemistry at The Rockefeller University, using 600, 500, & 400 MHz spectrometers, and ancillary spectroscopy equipment. Candidates, preferably with a Ph.D. should be skilled in modern multidimensional NMR,familiar with maintenance and support of spectrometers, willing to involve themselves in a variety of stimulating and challenging technical research problems, and interested in the education of graduate and postdoctoral fellows in the use of NMR. There is a competitive salary, and the outstanding,stimulating environment of the research programs at Rockefeller(http://www.rockefeller.edu).Please apply to Dr. David Cowburn, fax 1 212 327 7566. Electronic mail applications will be welcome to dcadmin@mriris.rockefeller.edu.There is no discrimination against any employee applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability.

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

Faculty Positions

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Seeks faculty in all levels in analytical, inorganic, organic or physical chemistry. Must have received Ph.D. by August of 1998. See their website at: http://www.scs.uiuc.edu/chem/index.html Send materials to: Dept. of Chemistry, University of Illinois, 505 South Mathwes Avenue, Urbana, Illinois 61801

• Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA: Seeks an organic chemist for next August. Areas include: organic materials, environmental organic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry or other areas. Send materials including list of potential funding agencies to: Chair: Organic Search Committee, Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry, Old Dominion, University of Norfolk, Norfolk, VA 23529-0126, Fax is # 757-683-4628 by October 20th.

• The Citadel, Charleston, S.C.:Seeks an analytical chemist, beginning August of 1998. Send materials to: Dr. James R. Blanton, Dept. of Chemistry, The Citadel, Charleston, SC 29409: Please contact him at: blantonj@citadel.edu or call him at 803-953-5041.

• Cal State Fullerton, Fullertton,CA: Seeks organic chemist with a Ph.D. and postdoc experience for fall of 1998. Please check website at: http://nsm.fullerton.edu/chem.chem.html or send materials to: Prof. Gene Hiegel, Search Committee Chair, Dept. of Chemistry/Biochemistry, California State University, Fullerton, Fullerton, CA 92834-6866 or call at: 714-278-3621 or fax 714-278-5316.

• California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA:Seeks inorganic chemist for a four year appointment. Send materials to: Professor Jacqueline K. Barton, Inorganic Chemistry Search, M/C. 127-72, Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125.

• Salem State College, Salem,MA: Seeks analytical chemist for fall of 1998. Teaching an instrumental analysis course for chemistry majors is a responsibility as well as labs and other courses. Seeks a Ph.D. in chemistry with appropriate teaching experience. Contact: Office of Equal Opportunity and Human Rights, Salem State College, 352 Lafayette St. Salem, MA 01970 by October 31st.

• Davidson College, Davidson, North Carolina:Seeks two chemists, one an organic and the other for an analytical chemist. Please contact: Professor Felix A. Carrol at 704-892-2306 at fecarroll@davidson.edu

• The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, The Department of Chemistry at The University of Georgia invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor. Qualifications include a Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related field, potential for excellence in teaching, and demonstrated ability to conduct highly creative research. Preference will be given to candidates with synthetic methodology, and applications to biology or materials science. Candidates should submit a statement of research interests, resume and names of at least three references to Professor Robert, A. Scott, Head, Department of Chemistry, The University of Georgia, Athens,GA 30602-2556. Evaluation of applications will begin on October 1, 1997. The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Institution that encourages applications from females and members of minority groups.Department of Chemistry E-mail: vbauer@sunchem.chem.uga.edu The University of Georgia Phone: 706.542-1919 Athens, GA 30602-2556 Fax:706.542-9454

• University of GeorgiaAssistant Professor Structural Biology/NMR As part of a major structural biology initiative, the Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology at the University of Georgia invite applications for a joint tenure-track faculty position at the ASSISTANT PROFESSOR level starting July 1, 1998. Preference will be given to candidates with experience and research interests in the area of solution structure and dynamics of biological macromolecules by NMR. Resources are available to attract candidates who are poised to contribute immediately and significantly to structural biology applications of spectroscopy. These resources include acquisition of a 600 MHz NMR spectrometer as part of our structural biology initiative, and an 800 MHz spectrometer which is supported by the Georgia Research Alliance as a regional facility. Applicants should possess a Ph.D. in chemistry, biochemistry or closely related field, the potential to establish a vigorous independent research program, and the ability to contribute to teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Postdoctoral experience is desirable. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching and research plans and arrange to have three letters of reference sent to: Professors Donald M. Kurtz, Jr. and James H. Prestegard Co-chairs, NMR Search Committee, Department of Chemistry, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2556. Deadline for receipt of applications is November 1, 1997. The University of Georgia is an AA/EEO institution.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

• Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN: Seeks postdoctoral candidate to perform molecular recognition research in the Chemical Separations Group. The candidate will have the opportunity to do research in several areas including: crown compounds and related selective extracts for ions and ion pairs in solvent extraction and ion exchange. The major issue is the relationship between extractant structure and both the efficiency and selectivity of extraction for specific ions and ion pairs. Please contact: Dr. Bruce A. More, Group Leader, Chemical Separations Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PO Box 2008, 4500S, MS-6119, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6119. telephone is: 423-576-7385.

• SmithKline Beecham, King of Prussia, PA: Seeks two postdoctoral fellows in the division of Medicinal Chemistry. The types of activities envisioned are design and synthesis of peptidomimetic compounds and the de novo design and synthesis of nonpeptide compounds, that act as inhibitors of the AIDS virus protein gp120 with the leukocyte receptor CD4. These efforts will utilize a recently obtained X-ray crystal structure of the gp120/CD 4 complex. Candidates should send or fax resume to: James Samanen, Ph.D., Associate Director, SmithKline Beecham, 709 Swedeland Road, PO Box 1593, King of Prussia, PA 19406-0939. Phone is 610-270-4800 and fax is 610-270-7777. A post-doctoral position is available immediately in the research group of Anne B. McCoy at Ohio State University. The successful candidate should have a PhD in theoretical chemistry and experience with classical or quantal dynamic studies. The initial appointment will be for one year, but funds are available for a second year of support. Her group is interested in the effect of solvation on the dynamics of chemical reactions, with an emphasis on hydrogen or proton transfer systems. In particular, our research addresses the question of how dynamics of processes in solvated environments differ from those between isolated atoms and molecules. We are also working to develop approximate methods that allow the inclusion of quantum effects in calculations of dynamics for these systems where full quantal calculations are currently computationally intractable. Their focus is on the chemistry in and between clusters, where direct comparison to experimental results can be made. As stated above, the position is available immediately, but starting date in the winter or early spring of 1997 will be considered. Applicants should send to her( addresses below) a c.v..Anne B. McCoy ,Department of Chemistry email: McCoy@chemistry.ohio-state.edu. The Ohio State University-phone: (614)292-9694 100 W. 18th Ave-FAX: (614)292-1685 Columbus, OH 43210-dept: (614)292-2251 www.chemistry.ohio-state.edu/~mccoy/home/mccoy-home.html

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