Chemformation

The Newsletter of the MIT Chemistry Department

Volume 17, Number 24

Friday, December 28, 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/.

Happy NEW YEAR!!

Upcoming Seminars and Lectures

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Professor Kit Cummins: who has recently been awarded The Dannie-Heineman Preis. This prize is the highest award of the Goettingen Akademie der Wissenschaften (Academy of Sciences). Ceremonies this year coincided with the 250th anniversary of the Akademie, and in attendance was Bundespresident Johannes Rau. Previous recipients of this award include Wolfgang Ketterle (1999), Richard Zare (1993), P. W. Anderson (1975), and Georg Wittig (1965). The Preis is endowed with der Minna-James-Heineman-Stiftung zu Hannover, a foundation established by Dannie N. Heineman (born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1872) in honor of his mother Minna, of German origin. A sister foundation established by Mr. Heineman in the U.S.A. supports the Dannie Heineman Prize of the American Physical Society.

A BIG THANK YOU to the following business who provided wonderful spot prizes for the Department Holiday Party on December 14:

MIT Coop
LaVerde’s
Toscanninis
Copy Tech
Council Travel
Aramark
New Tech Barber & Styling
Technicuts
MIT Book Press
Rebecca’s Café

DREYFUS CHEMISTRY LABORATORIES RENOVATION PROJECT

CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY

The phase 1 new labs and desk areas are nearing completion as work on the architectural and mechanical punch list continues on all floors including the basement. Certification of the fume hoods is scheduled to begin the week of
12 / 31/ 01.

STATUS OF Central Laboratory Systems

Chilled water, compressed air, inert gases, vacuum (local distributed) are in the process of being commissioned.

EXTERIOR Concrete Restoration and Cleaning

Restoration, cleaning and waterproofing of the exterior concrete on the north, west and south elevations is complete. Work on the east elevation will resume in the spring. Pedestrian traffic has been rerouted in the vicinity of the first floor exterior lobby area; this detour will remain in effect until the spring. A trash chute near the southwest corner of the building will be installed in January.

LIBRARY NEWS

SciFinder Scholar News:

Scifinder Scholar now go back to very beginning -- 1907. So you will be able to see all the abstracts of the papers of Albert Einstein in SciFinder Scholar.

Upgrade your SciFinder Scholar software for the 2001 version. Go to Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Library Resources page at http://libraries.mit.edu/guides/subjects/chemistry/resources.html, and select SciFinder Scholar. There is a link for "Installation". To see what new features are included with the 2001 version go to http://www.cas.org/SCIFINDER/SCHOLAR/index.html#whatsnew (e.g. better related information; calculated properties, ...)

Springer Book Series Online (these are listed in Vera but you need to use "search" all Vera titles to find them)

Advances in Solid State Physics:

http://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/series/4636/index.htm.

Handbook of Environmental Chemistry:

http://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/series/0698/index.htm

Molecular Sieves:

http://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/series/3829/index.htm

Structure and Bonding:

http://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/series/0430/index.htm

Topics in Organometallic Chemistry:

http://link.springer-ny.com/link/service/series/3418/index.htm

If you have any questions or comments contact the Chemistry librarian Erja Kajosalo (kajosalo@mit.edu)

FELLOWSHIP AND AWARDS OPPORTUNITIES

MIT FRANCE

As an incentive for young MIT researchers to conduct part of their research in France’s leading laboratories and develop their own international scientific network, the French Government awards various doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships.

For the 2002-2003 academic year, ten fellowships will be available to young MIT researchers:

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS - CHATEAUBRIAND FELLOWSHIP (5)
Scientific research fellowship:
Subjects: All scientific disciplines. Place of research: French University, school of engineering or in a public or private laboratory. Open to: American citizens, Ph.D. students or Ph.D. graduates currently enrolled at MIT. Candidates must obtain an agreement from a host laboratory before applying. Duration: a 6 to 12 month period. Value: 1,500 euros per month for doctoral fellows, or 1,800 euros per month for post-doctoral fellows. Round-trip airfare and health insurance abroad provided for all fellows. Application Deadline: December 31, 2001. More information on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

Humanities and social sciences fellowship:
Subjects: All humanities and social sciences disciplines. Place of research: a French research institution (universities, museums, CNRS). Open to: Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled in a Ph.D. program at MIT. Duration: 9 months. Value: 1,300 euros per month, health insurance, a round trip ticket to France. Application Deadline: January 14, 2002. More information on file in Chemistry Headquarters.

MINISTRY OF RESEARCH - Post-doctoral fellowship (5)
Subjects: all research fields. Place of research: a research laboratory in a French school or institute. Open to: young researchers at the post-doctoral level, of certain nationalities (check list on the web), currently working in a MIT-related laboratory. The host laboratory must submit applications. Duration: 12 months. Value: 1,800 euros per month, health insurance. Travel expenses are not included. Application Deadline: February 28, 2002. More information available in Chemistry Headquarters.

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.

$30,000 LEMELSON-MIT STUDENT PRIZE

The Lemelson-MIT Program is now accepting applications for the 2002 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize, an annual $30,000 award presented to an MIT senior or graduate student who demonstrates remarkable inventiveness. Whether you've designed a new technology or product, developed an innovative scientific process, or conceived a novel research approach, we encourage graduating seniors and graduate students to apply from all departments. The 2001 Lemelson-MIT Student Prize was awarded to Brian Hubert, who developed the world's first "pick-and-place" nano-assembly machine. For more information about Brian, previous winners, and application requirements, please view the Lemelson-MIT Program's Web site, the Invention Dimension®, at http://web.mit.edu/invent/www/stuprize.html or obtain further information from Chemistry Headquarters.

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

* Mount Allison University: invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professorship in Inorganic Chemistry.

* UMASS Boston: invites applications for tenure-track position in Green Chemistry.

* Colorado School of Mines: invites applications for the position of Assistant Profesor of organic Geochemistry in the Department 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.

* NIST: Postdoctoral opportunities in Molecular Electronics at NIST. Two-year appointments. Deadline January 15, 2001

* US Navy, Washington DC: Seeks candidates with Laser and Optics experience and/or fiber optic work experience, i.e. spectroscopists or laser jocks for a postdoctoral research associate position in the research group of Dr. Sue Peiris.

* Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: The group of Dr. Andre Rosowsky has an opening for a Synthetic Organic/Medicinal Chemist with 0-2 years of experience to synthesize drugs designed for use against Pneumoycstis carinii pneumonia and other opportunistic infections in patients with AIDS.

* UMASS: Green Chemistry research. The individual should have experience in organic and/or polymer synthesis.

* Whitehead Institute: Dr. Brent R. Stockwell seeks a postdoctoral fellow to work in his laboratory that uses high-throughput chemical genetic screens to illuminate mechanisms underlying human disease processes.

* University of Leeds, UK: Three highly interdisciplinary postdoctoral research positions are available in Dr. Smith’s group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leeds.

Other Job Listings

* 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) and she will give you the contact information or tel: (617) 253-4080

* 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.

*WANTED: Ph.D. Organic Synthesis Chemists. Location Southern New Jersey. Salary approx. $100,000. Contact Arthur Harelick, Ashway Agency; tel: (212) 6793300 10-2:30PM Mon. to Thur. Fax: (212) 4470583

* 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.

* Cambridge: Biopharmaceutical company seeks 3 either Biochemists or Biopharmaceutical Researchers to analyze chemical structures, curate research information, and report this information to both their science and legal departments. The right person needs to be fluent in chemical structures and have previous work reviewing patents. These positions are 6 months in length and would be appropriate for an entry to mid level chemist with a technical edge.

* 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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Copyright © 2001 Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Comments and questions to lhowe@mit.edu