Chemformation

The Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

Volume 17, Number 16

Friday, August 10, 2001

Chemformation is published by the Office of the Department Chairman. Please convey items of interest (or mailing list changes) to Liz McGrath, Room T18-390, Department of Chemistry, MIT, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617/253-4080; 617/258-7500 (fax) or e-mail to emg@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/.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. Chuan He who has been voted by the Inorganic faculty members to receive the fourth annual Davison Prize for the best thesis submitted in Inorganic Chemistry in the academic year July 1, 2000 –June 30, 2001. Dr. He received his Ph.D. in Inorganic Chemistry in 2000 under Professor Stephen Lippard and is currently pursuing postdoctoral studies in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Harvard University.

FELLOWSHIP AND AWARDS OPPORTUNITIES

COGNIS FELLOWSHIP IN COLLOID AND SURFACE CHEMISTRY: Applicants are invited for this Fellowship which is sponsored by the Cognis Corporation and administered through the American Chemical Society’s Division of Colloid and Surface Chemistry. Each Fellowship carries and award of $20,000 pr year for two years of graduate work, typically the third and fourth years, toward a Ph.D. degree. One Fellowship is awarded each year. The application deadline for funding to being in Fall, 2002, is February 1, 2002. More information may be obtained from Chemistry Headquarters.

THE BECKMAN FELLOWS PROGRAM: established by The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation was initiated in 2000 to support postdoctoral research at the very highest level. This prestigious program is designed to attract postdoctoral candidates with remarkable achievements and provide them with the support and resources required to develop into the next generation of outstanding investigators. Two Fellows will be selected. Each will be provided a salary of $55,000/year and a research allowance of $52,000/year. Application deadline is September 15, 2001. More information may be obtained from Chemistry Headquarters.

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, UNITED STATES ARMY RESEARCH LABORATORY: The National Research Council administers resident postdoctoral fellowships that are tenable at the US Army Research Laboratory. These research associateships are awarded in national competition to outstanding scientists and engineers of unusual promise and ability for research. Application deadline is August 15,2001. Details can be obtained from Chemistry Headquarters. Open to US Citizens only.

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY FALL 2001 RECRUITING SCHEDULE: pdf file

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 Rick Danheiser, e-mail 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. As a result of the recent EPA/MIT "Consent Decree", major changes will be instituted at MIT over the next year with regard to how safety training is conducted, who does inspections and formulates rules, how we order chemicals, etc. Grad student input is urgently needed as our department committee responds to proposed changes.

Faculty Positions

Applications for most faculty positions should consist of a curriculum vitae, outline of research interests, and three letters of recommendation to be sent directly to the specific university or college. You will find more detailed information regarding these and other positions in a binder located at departmental headquarters.

University of California, Davis: seeks to fill four tenure tract positions at the Assistant Professor level in Organic Chemistry. This cluster hire will be in the area of Chemical Biology which includes, but is not limited to, biosynthetic/synthetic/computational combinatorial chemistry, natural products biosynthesis, chemical genetics, macromolecular ligand discovery, drug design, proteomics, etc. More information on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

Kansas State University: seeks candidates for the position of tenure-track Assistant Professor of Chemistry in the area of Analytical or Physical Chemistry. More information on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

University of Utah: three tenured or tenure-tack positions are available. Applications will be considered in all areas of chemistry and at all levels. Further details on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

University of California, Berkeley: seeks applicants for an Assistant Professorship in Organic and Physical, although truly outstanding candidates in any area of chemistry will be considered. Appointment at a tenured level would be considered in exceptional circumstances. More information on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

Postdoctoral Positions

Boston University: Candidates sought with a strong background in Synthetic Organic Chemistry. One project involves the synthesis of natural product-like molecules using combinatorial methods. Initial studies in this area have focused on the use of spiroketals as rigid core templates for elaboration using parallel synthesis techniques. Another project will lead chemistry efforts in a joint collaboration with Professor Junying Yuan’s laboratory (Harvard Medical School) to synthesize novel anti-necrosis agents. The project involves synthesis of compounds and affinity reagents in order to further characterize a novel, non-apoptotic cell death process. Work in both areas will make use of equipment available for parallel and combinatorial synthesis and purification available in the Boston University Center for Streamlined Synthesis. More information on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

Other Job Listings

The University of California, San Diego: invites applications for the position of Academic Coordinator. This person will work with faculty to develop online course material to enhance university-level science instruction by using state-of-the-art computer technologies and software products. As needed, enhance and modify existing software packages to adapt them to the needs of the advanced educational setting. Determine type of computer/digital technology and software best suited for a specific education need. Manage programming and other creative staff necessary to support development efforts. Coordinate development of instructional techniques adapted for computer based interactive courseware. Advanced degree in science or science education is required. Ph.D. preferred. Contact information available in Chemistry Headquarters.

ATOFINA: has immediate opportunities for outstanding Ph.D. level Chemists and Chemical Engineers at their suburban Philadelphia Research Center. Particular interest is in graduates with backgrounds in analytical chemistry, polymer processing or synthesis and physical organic or synthetic chemistry, graduates with other backgrounds, depending upon qualifications will be considered. More information is available at Chemistry Headquarters.
Harvard Medical School: The Muscle Cell Physiology Laboratory in the Harvard Medical School Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, housed at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, is looking for a Research Assistant to perform primarily bench work assessing the contractile properties of human skeletal muscle fibers. This position if funded by a 3 year NIH grant to study the effect of power training on muscle function in older women. More information available in Chemistry Headquarters.
The New England School of Acupuncture: is seeking individuals to teach Biochemistry and General Chemistry for its Fall 2001 Semester. Biochemistry is scheduled to meet Mondays from 6:30-9:30pm and General Chemistry is scheduled to meet on Thursdays from 9:00-12:00pm. Interested candidates must possess a Master's degree. Pay rate for each course is $45/hr. To apply, please forward cover letter and CV to: New England School of Acupuncture, Attn: Barbara Carter, 40 Belmont St., Watertown, MA 02472;
Fax: 617-924-4167, Phone: 617-926-1788 ext.113.
Kansas State University: The Department of Chemistry at Kansas State University invites applications for the position of Research Associate to work in the research group directed by Professor Duy Hua. A Ph.D. in Chemistry or a related field is required and previous experience in organic synthesis and methodology development is needed. The Research Associate will be working in developing new chiral ligands and methodologies for asymmetric catalysis, and synthesizing biologically active compounds. More information available in Chemistry Headquarters.
Prime Organics, Inc. Lowell, MA. (http://primeorg.com) has an opening for B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. level chemists, full time or part time/summer positions. E-mail your resume to info@primeorg.com. Prime Organics provides custom synthesis, contract R&D and manufacturing.
GILLETTE has the following positions available:
Inorganic Chemist/Material Scientist - Ph.D. in Inorganic or Materials Chemistry or Material Science with 3 years or more experience. Design, synthesize, and characterize novel electrode materials for use in advanced batteries. Must have working knowledge of traditional and non-traditional synthetic methods such as inert atmosphere, sol-gel/ precursor chemistry, hydrothermal or solid state synthesis. Experience in basic physical characterization techniques including FTIR, DSC/TGA, XRD, SEM, SSA, PSD, and porosimetry is required.
Polymer Chemist - Ph.D. in polymer chemistry or engineering or a related field with a minimum of 3 years experience in dispersion technology and coating development including polymer selection and modification. Expertise in the development of advanced extrusion coating, roll coating, spray coating or lamination technology is highly desirable.
Research Scientist - Ph.D. or M.S. in Analytical Chemistry or Material Science. Analyze and characterize advanced materials for battery systems. Manage the operation of one or more major pieces of complex scientific instrumentation. Adapts existing and/or develops new combinatorial methods to solve difficult analytical problems. Three years or more laboratory experience is highly desirable.
Research Scientist/Engineer Material Science - Ph.D. with 3 years of experience in Material Science or Engineering, Materials Chemistry, Chemical Engineering. Experience in high vacuum systems required. Knowledge in thin films and plasma physics highly desirable. Position will be responsible for developing, evaluating and applying thin film technology.
Research Electrical Engineer - M.S. in Electrical Engineering or Solid State Physics with 1 to 4 years of experience in digital and analog circuit design and/or electronic instrument design. Knowledge and application experience of National Electrical Code standards and J.I.C., OSHA and IEC regulations a plus. Experience in visual basic and C++ highly desirable.
Research Engineer Mechanical - B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with 3 to 5 years of experience design of electro mechanical or mechanical systems. M.S. preferred. Proven ability to identify critical design issues, and to develop and implement creative solutions. Experience with 3D CAD highly desirable.

ACCOMMODATION AVAILABLE

BELMONT: Large studio for single person with kitchenette and bath in Victorian home. Private entrance. Near three bus lines and commuter rail. Cable access and two telephone lines in place. Parking not offered. Available September 1st. $750/month, including utilities. Tel: 617-489-0686.

To place an advertisement: email Liz McGrath, emg@mit.edu

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY FALL 2001 RECRUITING SCHEDULE: pdf file

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