Chemformation

The Weekly Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

Volume 14, Number 2

January 16, 1998

Next issue: Friday, January 23rd. Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. The deadline for the next issue is Tuesday, January 20th. 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

Third Annual MIT/Bruker Symposium to be Held January 31, 1998

Mark your calendars and plan to join us for the third annual MIT/Bruker (formerly Siemens) Symposium on Crystallographic Chemical Analysis to be held on Saturday, January 31, 1997 beginning at 8:45 a.m. in Room 6-120. Topics that will be discussed are crystal growth, problem structures and strategies for the resolution of twinning problems. A free catered lunch will be available and there will be a $500 prize for the best poster!! You are encouraged to pre-register by e-mail to Dr. Bill Davis at wmdavis@mit.edu or to Linda K. Earle at lkn@mit.edu (and must do so in order to attend the lunch) otherwise you may register Saturday morning. The aforementioned e-mail addresses may be used to enter poster competition.

The Third Annual Bruker/MIT Symposium on
Crystallographic Chemical Analysis

Morning Session

8:30	Coffee and Registration outside of 6-120
8:45	Opening remarks and welcome by Professor Stephen J. Lippard
8:50	Dr. Sue Byram and Dr. Frank Laukien (Bruker Analytical X-Ray Systems)
9:30	Dr. Charles Campana (Bruker)
10:30	break
10:45	Dr. Richard Staples, "Getting Crystals Your Crystallographer Will Treasure"
11:30-1:00	Lunch and poster session in the Norris Room (18-490)

Afternoon Session

1:00	Dr. Arnold Rheingold (University of Delaware), "Superlattices, Pseudoracemates and Exorcising UFM's"
1:45	Dr. Victor Young (University of Minnesota), "Facing Your Evil Twin"
2:30	Dr. Jed Parkin (Columbia University)
3:15	Wrap up and Winner of Poster Session Announced!

Corning Foundation Invites Graduate Students to Participate in Fellowship Program!

The Corning Foundation has invited the Department to again participate in the Foundation's Science Fellowship Program. For the 1998-99 academic year, Corning is offering up to $25,000 in support of a pre-doctoral fellowship in chemistry. Applications must include a one-page description of your research activities, including biographical information, academic record, a curriculum vitae, and a statement of support from your Ph.D. advisor. You must be involved in research that directly relates to one of the following technologies listed below. The department Graduate Committee will review the applications and choose a candidate. Please submit all applications to Professor Dietmar Seyferth, Room 4-382A by February 6th, 1998.

Glass and glass ceramics: Glass and glass-ceramic compositions; glass melting and forming; and semi-conductor device materials.

Optics and photonics: Optical physics; materials and design; guided optics; components and associated process research.

Cellular ceramics: Cellular ceramic composition and extrusion processes and ceramic materials.

Polymers: Polymer formation and processing in support of new products and existing product extensions.

Surfaces and thin films: Thick and thin films; surfaces and interfacial chemistry; with supporting materials research.

Machine research: Concept engineering for the development of high precision machines.

Characterization sciences: New analytical processes and advanced characterization of chemical, physical, optical, structural and morphological properties.

Process modeling and measurement: Mathematical, physical, chemical and molecular modeling research.

Graduate Research Symposium in
Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry

Friday, January 30, 1998
1:00 PM, Room 66-110

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

Postdoctoral Fellowships

• Postdoctoral Research Associate position available for conducting experimental studies of the structures of the various interfaces between a liquid metal (or alloy) and another medium (vapor, wall, solution) using a variety of x-ray based methods, e.g., grazing incidence x-ray diffraction, x-ray reflectivity, anomalous diffraction and reflectivity, etc. This position is available for immediate appointment. Interested individuals should contact: Prof. Stuart A. Rice- James Franck Institute- The University of Chicago-Chicago, IL 60637 TEL: 773 702 7199-FAX: 773 702 5863 e-MAIL: sarice@rainbow.uchicago.edu

• A Postdoctoral Research Assistantship is available at Sussex University for work in collaboration with Prof. A.J. Stace on gas phase studies of the magnetic and electronic properties of small metallic clusters. This position is available immediately and is funded for two years through the Advanced Magnetic Initiative of EPSRC. Applicants should have a background in either Chemical Physics or Physics and have some experience of vacuum techniques, molecular beam methods, or low temperature techniques. Applicants should send a CV and the names of two referees to Prof. A.J. Stace, School of Chemistry, Physics and Environmental Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ, U.K. Further details can be obtained by contacting a.j.stace@sussex.ac.uk.

• Post-Doctoral Position in Laser Spectroscopy of Organic Molecules I am looking for a post-doc interested in doing one- and two-color REMPI, as well as some vuv PFI/ZEKE, studies on organic molecules such as cyclic ketones, ethers, etc. as well as straight chain saturated molecules. The object is to determine conformations of floppy molecules cooled to a few degrees Kelvin. One of the unique features of our experiment is a variable temperature pulsed valve which permits us to vary the equilibrium concentrations of the various conformations (axial-equatorial or ethyl rotor orientations) prior to valve expansion. A recent feature article in the J. Phys.Chem. [101: 8970-8 (1997)] gives some background information about this project. The successful candidate should have experience with pulsed lasers, 2-color experiments, and/or vuv laser generation. Two letters of recommendation and a resume should be sent to Prof. Tomas Baer. Starting time is anytime after April 1, 1998.Tomas Baer, Kenan Professor of Chemistry 919 962 2388 (FAX) Chemistry Department -Baer@unc.edu-University of North Carolina http://net.chem.unc.edu/faculty/tb/cftb01.html -Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290

Positions

• High School Teacher need immediately to fill unexpected vacancy, in the city of Groton, MA for the remainder of the academic year, for two sections of introductory chemistry (11th grade) and 2 sections of AP chemistry. Send cv and references to: Stephen Belsky, Groton School, PO Box 991, Groton, MA 01450, (978) 448-7558 work, (978) 448-8369 Home, and (978) 448-7230 fax and email: sbelsky@groton.org

Faculty Positions

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.

• Southern University and A & M college Baton Rouge, Louisiana Southern University-Baton Rouge seeks nominations and/or applications from energetic , highly motivated and team-oriented individuals who are committed to excellence in teaching, research and service. Responsibilities will include teaching, establishing a strong program of research and refereed publications, professional development, student advising and mentoring in a new Ph.D. degree program in Science/Mathematics Education and providing service to the University and its community. The Positions: Four positions at the rank of Assistant, Associate or Professor (with joint appointments between the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Science/Mathematics academic programs) are expected to be filled to support a new Ph.D. program in Science/Mathematics education. One of these positions is that of Program Director with additional administrative and coordination duties as well as the leadership of the program. For each of these positions, an earned Ph.D. degree is required in either Science Education, Mathematics Education or in a Science/Mathematics discipline with a strong research record in education. Preference will be given to candidates of scholarly accomplishments (funded research and refereed publications); working knowledge of national curricula standards, application of technology in education and instructional design; and experience in teaching graduate level courses and directing doctoral dissertations. Salaries and rank will be commensurate with experience. Applications will be reviewed beginning February 2, 1998 and will continue until all positions are filled. Anticipated starting date is June 1,1998. Interested faculty are encouraged to apply as soon as possible by submitting a letter of interest, curriculum vitae and the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three references to: Dr. Ali R. Fazely, Chair, Search Committee for the Director and Faculty of Ph.D. in Science/Mathematics Education, Department of Physics, Southern University and A & M College, Baton Rouge, LA 70813 e-mail: fazely@feynman.phys.subr.edu

• Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas: Seeks full professors for faculty in any area of chemistry. Must have demonstrated international recognized distinction in research; a list of current and pending research support, the names of three references from whom letters of reference have been requested; and a list of start-up funds. Send to: Professor Peter M.A. Sherwood, Chair Full Professor Search Committee, Dept. of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-3701. Tel. (785)532-6665; fax: (785) 532-6666. Also email at (escachem@ksu.edu)

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