Chemformation

The Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

Volume 17, Number 23

Friday, November 30, 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/.

Upcoming Seminars and Lectures

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Stephen Lippard: who has been selected to receive the 2002 Theodore William Richards Award and Medal in recognition of his conspicuous achievements in bioinorganic chemistry. The Richards Medal, first presented in 1932, is awarded every two years by the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society. The award and medal will be presented to Professor Lippard at the March meeting of the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society, scheduled to be held at Harvard University on Thursday, March 14, 2002.

Andrei Tokmakoff: who will receive the 2002 Coblentz Award which is awarded to an "outstanding young molecular spectroscopist under the age of 36." The Award is presented and the Coblentz Award Lecture is delivered each June at the Ohio State University International Symposium on Molecular Spectroscopy.

THE CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT

HOLIDAY PARTY

FRIDAY 14, DECEMBER , 2001
5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

The Lobdell Room
2nd Floor
Student Center

Music by

"Jump City"
Entertainment for the whole family

Delicious Food and Beverages

DCIF: The DCIF is pleased to announce that the Bruker 3T FT-MS will soon be fitted with a nonospray ion source. This ion source will allow the electrospray MS analysis of less plentiful and more dilute samples.

LIBRARY NEWS

The MIT Libraries subscribe to all Wiley journals on-line -- the package is called Wiley Interscience. This package (> 300 journal all total) gives on-line access to many journals we did not subscribe in print at all (and consequently had no on-line access). Just few examples of journals you can now access via Vera -- "Angewandte Chemie" (German edition), "Electrophoresis", "Journal of Bioluminescence & Chemiluminescence", "Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry", "Proteomics", "Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry". To see full list of Wiley journals go to http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journalfinder. Reference works are listed http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/reference.html. We have electronic access to many of them, but not all. Examples -- e-EROS, Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, Ullman's and several of the Current Protocols. Also note that you can also access some Wiley books on-line -- see more at http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/bookfinder.html (we have print copies of the books you can access on-line). Until we have a chance to list all individual titles separately in Vera http://libraries.mit.edu/vera you will have to access Wiley journals & books via "Wiley InterScience" link. If you have any questions or comments contact our Chemistry Librarian, Erja Kajosalo (kajosalo@mit.edu).

FELLOWSHIP AND AWARDS OPPORTUNITIES

22^ND VANNEVAR BUSH AWARD: The National Science Foundation is seeking nominations for the 22nd Vannevar Bush Award, which recognizes an individual who, through public service activities in science and technology, has made an outstanding "contribution toward the welfare of mankind and the nation." The recipient of the award is honored at an awards dinner in May and receives a bronze medal struck in the memory of Dr. Bush.

The nominee must be a senior statesperson who is an American citizen and who meets two or more of the following criteria:

• who has distinguished him/herself through public service activities in science and technology;
• who has pioneered the exploration, charting and settlement of new frontiers in science, technology, education and public service;
• whose leadership and creativity have inspired others to distinguished careers in science and technology;
• who has contributed to the welfare of the Nation and mankind through activities in science and technology;
• whose leadership and creativity have helped mold the history of advancements in the Nation's science, technology and education.

Nominations are to be made by letter, and should be accompanied by two letters of support/reference and a current CV (without publications). Nominations and references must be postmarked by December 14, 2001. For more information, contact Karen Drew in the Office of Foundation Relations, at 3-6326.

BECKMAN INSTITUTE FELLOWS: Applications are invited for appointments as Beckman Institute Fellows at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The fellowship is intended for recent Ph.D.'s or students in their last year of graduate study in the behavioral and biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, physics, and computer science. Fellows will receive a stipend of $48,000 per year, plus a full-fringe benefits package. These fellowships provide an excellent opportunity for young scholars to initiate a post-Ph.D. career of independent research in a stimulating and supportive interdisciplinary academic environment. Details on application packets may be obtained from Chemistry Headquarters. Deadline January 4, 2002.

MASS MEDIA SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FELLOWS PROGRAM: Increasing public understanding of science and technology is one of the principal goals of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. AAAS has improved coverage of science and technology in mass media for more than twenty years through the Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellows Program. AAAS selects 20-30 Mass Media Fellows each summer. The AAAS Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellows work for 10 weeks during the summer as reporters, researchers, and production assistants in mass media organizations nationwide. Fellows collaborate with media professionals at radio and television stations, newspapers and magazines. The student-scientists and their host journalists strive to make science news clear and comprehensive to the public. Fellows are provided a weekly stipend of $450 as well as travel expenses to and from AAAS and their sites. Deadline for receipt of applications is January 15, 2002. More information is available in Chemistry Headquarters.

WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION: Summer Student Fellowships are awarded to undergraduate students who have completed their junior or senior year at colleges or universities studying any of the fields of science, mathematics, or engineering with at least a tentative interest in oceanography and/or marine policy. Fellowships are awarded to pursue an independent research project, chosen by the Fellow, under the guidance of a member of the Research staff. Stipend $3,550-$4,260 for a 10-12 week program. Travel allowance may be provided. Completed applications are due by February 15, 2002. More details available in Chemistry Headquarters.

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND COOPERATION: The Center for International Security and Cooperation is a multidisciplinary community dedicated to research and training in issues of international security. CISAC’s Science Program offers fellowships for scientists and engineers to explore the policy dimensions of a research topic of their choosing in an interdisciplinary environment. Fellowships are available for postdoctoral fellows and mid-career professionals. Stipends are awarded for an eleven-month period and are determined on a case-by-case basis commensurate with experience. Deadline for applications is February 15, 2002. More information is available in Chemistry Headquarters.

INTERNATIONAL PRECIOUS METALS INSTITUTE: is accepting nominations form faculty members for its 2002 Student award Program. The Awards will be made to students who have started or plan to do research or development projects in the field of precious metals and will not have graduated before June 2003. The IPMI Graduate Student Award, sponsored by Gemini Industries, Inc. is $5,000. There is also be five IPMI Student Awards for 2002 in the amount of $3,000 each for undergraduate or graduate students. Each recipient will be provided complimentary registration to the IPMI 26^th Annual Conference to be held in Miami, Florida, June 15-18, 2002 and up to $1,000 in travel expenses. More information may be obtained from Chemistry Headquarters.

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD-NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH SCHOLARS IN THE BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES PROGAM: The National Institutes of Health-University of Oxford Scholars in Biomedical Science interdisciplinary program is specially devoted to the training of outstanding students in various areas of biomedical research leading to a Doctor of Philosophy degree awarded by the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Being a collaborative program between the NIH laboratories and University of Oxford, students are provided with the opportunity to work at both institutions. Student research projects will be co-mentored by a research investigator at NIH and a faculty member at University of Oxford who work together on a collaborative project in which students carry out research. It is envisioned that students will spend roughly half of their time at Oxford and half their time at NIH, though the specific division of time will be dictated by the nature of the research. Students will receive a stipend of $18,500 per year, travel expenses and all tuition and fees while at the University of Oxford. Up to three individuals will be awarded scholarships to begin in September 2001. Application packages must be returned by March 15, 2001. More details on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES: National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences offers awards for postdoctoral scientists and engineers at participating federal laboratories. These awards provide generous stipends (ranging from $34,000 - $61,000, depending on the laboratory), and the opportunity to conduct independent research in some of the best-equipped and staffed laboratories in the country. For detailed information and application materials, prospective applicants should visit the NRC Research Associateship Programs Web site at: http://www.national-academies.org/rap. Faculty may also be interested in the NRC Senior Associateship Programs, which include both sabbatical and summer faculty opportunities. There are three application review cycles each year, with postmark deadline dates of January 15, April 15 and August 15. Applicants should begin a dialog with prospective Advisers at the laboratory as early as possible before the application deadline. More information on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

THE CORNING INCORPORATED FOUNDATION SCIENCE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM: will offer a grant of up to $27,500 in support of a fellowship for pre-doctoral study and research in specific disciplines. This award is to be used toward tuition and a stipend. The foundation will pay all grants in two installments the first installment payable before August 30, 2002. Deadline April 1, 2002. Please see Liz McGrath in Chemistry Headquarters for application details..

2002 MCKNIGHT SCHOLAR AWARDS: The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience invites applications for the 2002 McKnight Scholar Awards. Since 1977, the McKnight Scholar Awards have encouraged emerging neuroscientists to focus on disorders of learning and memory. Applicants for the McKnight Scholar Awards must demonstrate interest in solving important problems in relevant areas of neuroscience, including the translation of basic research to clinical neuroscience. Awards are given to exceptional young scientists who hold the M.D. and/or Ph.D. degree and who are in the early stages of establishing an independent laboratory and research career. Traditionally, successful candidates have held faculty positions for at least one year. Up to six McKnight Scholars each will receive three years of support, beginning July 1, 2002. More information may be obtained from Chemistry Headquarters.

NATIONAL DEFENSE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS: As a means of increasing the number of U.S. citizens trained in disciplines of science and engineering of military importance, the Department of Defense plans to award approximately 200 new three-year graduate fellowships in April 2002. National Defense Science and Engineering Application information on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER - 2002-2003 JILA VISITING FELLOWSHIPS: Founded in 1962, JILA has played a role at the forefront of research in technology and physical science ever since. Staffed by scientists from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the University of Colorado at Boulder, this unique partnership between a major university and a Federal agency is internationally recognized for both creative science and its application. Successful applicants from the USA and abroad will begin their Fellowships at JILA between September 2002 and April 2003. Each Visiting Fellowship carries a stipend and a Visiting Faculty Appointment at the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Faculty Positions

Information on all positions on file in Chemistry Headquarters

* Christopher Newport University: invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professorship in Organic Chemistry

* Gustavus Adolphus College: invites applications for a sabbatical leave replacement position in Organic/Inorganic Chemistry to begin September, 2002.

* The College of Wooster: seeks to appoint a John Garber Drushal Distinguished Visiting Professor at a senior rank for the 2002-2003 academic year.

*UNC-Chapel Hill: invites applications for a tenure-track position in all areas of Inorganic Chemistry. Appointments at the Assistant or non-tenured Associate Professor ranks.

* Armour College of Engineering and Science, Illinois Institute of Technology: invites applications for an anticipated senior level tenure-track position, at the Professor or Associate Professor level, in any area of contemporary interest in chemistry.

* Shippensburg University: invites applications for two tenure-track Assistant Professor appointments: one in Organic Chemistry and one in Biochemistry.

* University of Akron: seeks an outstanding Biochemist to fill an endowed, junior faculty position as The James L. and Martha J. Foght Professor of Chemistry.

Postdoctoral Positions

Information on all positions on file in Chemistry Headquarters

* NIST: postdoctoral opportunities in Surface and Interface Science at the National Institute of Standards and Technology located in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Application deadline January 15, 2002.

* Kansas State University: seeks candidates for a postdoctoral research associate position in the research group of Professor David F. Kelly to study the spectroscopy and photophysics of semiconductor nanoparticles.

* Lehigh University: Professor Steven L. Regan expects to have a few postdoctoral openings in his group in 2002. One of these projects (Nearest-Neighbor Recognition) involves the use of synthetic organic and physical organic chemistry to probe the mixing behavior of lipids in the fluid bilayer state; e.g., JACS, 123, 5124 (2001); JACS, 123, 7939 (2001). A second project (Molecular Umbrellas), again, uses a combination of synthetic organic and physical organic chemistry to create novel classes of drug delivery devices; e.g., JACS, 123, 5401 (2001); JACS, 123, 9926 (2001).

* University of Cincinnati: The Chemical Sensors Group invites applications for immediately available postdoctoral positions. Of particular interest are the areas of optical sensors, electrochemical sensors, bio-nanotechnology or nano-structured materials for sensing and spectroelectrochemical sensing.

Other Job Listings

* UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY: Applications and nominations are invited for the position of Dean of the College of Science at Utah State University. Science is one of the largest and most dynamic colleges on campus, with six departments (Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics and Statistics, and Physics). Screening of candidates will commence on January 3, 2001.

* SPACE DYNAMICS LABORATORY: For the summer of 2002, the Space Dynamics Laboratory at Utah State University is offering space science and engineering internships at its facility in Logan, Utah. Each internship will last 3-4 months and will be project based. These internships are open to undergraduate seniors or graduate students. Detailed information about the positions, salary and benefits and application procedures are on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

* SEEKING a faculty member or student who would like to do some consultancy work in the area of materials science. The problem at hand is the heat exchanger in the heater of an indoor swimming pool. This exchanger periodically corrodes and fails prematurely. If you think you can assist in solving this problem contact Liz McGrath in Chemistry Headquarters (emg@mit.edu) or tel: (617) 253-4080 and she will give you the contact information.

* Austin Based company seeks an Environmental Engineer. Responsibilities will include: Sustaining all product environmental certifications and marketing access instruments including environmental product datasheets. Providing critical customer feedback concerning environmental performance data to ensure marketing and sales success. This function will provide engineering support between the Environmental & Ecology Test department, the Environmental Affairs Organization and the mechanical engineering department. Should have good ability to understand the technology utilized in computer design, architecture and operation as it pertains to each LOB. Project Management: Must have good ability to organize and manage projects, setting priorities and working with minimal supervision under aggressive timelines. BS in Chemical Engineering, or BSME with 6-8 years of experience is preferred.

* Pfizer: Pfizer Global Research and Development draws on the expertise of Pfizer and Warner-Lambert to create a vast R & D enterprise with an annual budget of more than $4.7 billion. The successful candidate will be qualified to snythesize, purify and characterize novel, small molecule biological affectors as a member of a multi-disciplinary project team pursuing mechanism-based approaches to novel therapeutic compounds. BS in Chemistry is required. MS in Organic Chemistry is desired.

* TechFind, Inc., Natick: Position available in Surfactant/Interfacial Chemistry for Biological Systems. Ph. D. in Chemical Engineering or Chemistry required. Also required is strong mathematical and experimental background in surfactant/interfacial chemistry for biological systems; strong expertise on surfactants and micelles in biological systems (solutions and /or surfaces); and experience in design/fabrication of microfluidics; development of bioassays (characterization of enzyme-based reactions in bulk and/or miniaturized environment; experiences in developing biosensors employing novel detection approach desirable.

* The Black Student Fund: is conducting a search for Teachers, Administrators, and Counselors interested in working preK-12 independent schools that are seeking to diversity their staff in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

* 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 positions. E-mail your resume to info@primeorg.com. Prime Organics provides custom synthesis, contract R&D and manufacturing.

 

DEPARTMENTAL SERVICES

Glass Blowing Services: 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 4-064 or call Ed Udas at 3-4505. Bob will do the work on a first-come, first-served basis.

Get Organized! Call Ed Udas at 253-4505 or stop by room 4-065 if students, faculty, or staff need help in organizing their MIT space.

CLASSIFIEDS

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

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Comments and questions to lhowe@mit.edu