Chemistry Newsletter - 05/11/1998

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Department of Chemistry Newsletter

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Chemistry Department's Associate Chair and Division Chairs

Professor James C. Weisshaar will be the Associate Chair of the Department for the 1998-99 fiscal year.

The Chairs of the Divisions for that period will be

These individuals along with the Chair and Executive Director (Dr. Matthew J. Sanders) constitute the Finance Committee of the Department.

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ATTENTION GRADUATE STUDENTS

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IMPORTANT DATES:

MINOR AGREEMENT FORMS: The Graduate School requires that the minor program be outlined in an agreement which is approved by the Department no later than halfway through completion of the sequence minor courses. The minor requirement must be completed by the end of the third year of graduate school. Minor agreement forms are available in Room 1315.

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SEMINARS

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Wednesday, May 13^th, 1998 - Genetics Colloquium, 3:30 p.m., Auditorium Genetics/Biotech Building. Professor June Nasrallah, Department of Plant Molecular Genetics, Cornell University. "Self-Recognition Loci and the Evolution of Mating Systems in Plants"

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Thursday, May 14^th, 1998 - Analytical Sciences Seminar, 12:05 p.m., Room B371 Chemistry Building. Shaul Mukamel, University of Rochester. (McElvain Speaker).

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**** CANCELLED **** Tuesday, May 19^th, 1998, - Organic Chemistry Seminar, 3:30 p.m., Room 1361 Chemistry Building. Professor Alana Schepartz, Yale.

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Tuesday, June 2^nd, 1998, Inorganic Chemistry Seminar, 3:30 p.m., Room B371 Chemistry Building. Professor Peter Jutzi, University of Bielefeld.

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Technical TA in the Chemistry Hydrogenation Lab

The Department of Chemistry invites applications for a 50% time TA in the Hydrogenation Lab, beginning in the summer session, 1998. Principal duties are:

• Managing the hydrogenation labs, including teaching students to use the equipment, maintenance of the equipment, communications with vendors and suppliers, and ordering.
• Managing the 5^th floor instrumentation lab, including training students in the use of the instruments.
• Ordering and maintaining departmental stocks of deuterated solvents.

Applications should be submitted to Professor Casey. Preference will be given to Chemistry graduate students and those who can plan for a two-year commitment. To be assured full consideration, applications should be received by May 18, 1998.

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The Summer Enrichment Program

Earn money and increase your teaching experience.

The Summer Enrichment Program is a summer program for 7th through 9th grade minority students that provides a chemistry hands-on laboratory experience. If you'd like to be an Instructor for small groups of students, contact Tony Jacob at the Chemistry Learning Center, 263-5647 or atjacob@facstaff.wisc.edu, or drop a note in my mailbox in the Chemistry Department. The tentative schedule is:

June 8-12 from 8:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - June 15-19 from 12:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. - June 22-26 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (M-W-F).

The salary will be at least $340/week and Instructors are not required to work all three weeks; typically, Instructors work one or two weeks depending on their schedule and the needs of the program.

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Project Assistant/Program Assistant, Department of French and Italian University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Department of French and Italian invites applications for an administrative position to work on the establishment of a new "Professional Masters of French Studies". The proposed new degree is part of the Chancellor's Capstone Degree Initiative. The principal duties of the position will be: To provide administrative support in designing and implementing phase I of the new Masters. Specific tasks will include: working closely with a faculty committee to prepare a Federal grant to support phase II of the proposed degree; collect and analyze internal and external data, regarding alumni/nae, similar degrees, relevant trends in Higher Education, specific domestic and foreign expertise; coordinate activities with various advisory groups inside and outside the university. Collect data and background information for a market research study (conducted by an outside group); act as liaison with the marketing research group. Develop the program's literature and promotional materials as needed. Help coordinate research and discussions regarding the degree, inside and outside the Department; coordinate faculty activities and visits by experts and consultants. Collect and maintain administrative and financial back-up for the administration of the proposed new Masters. Other duties as assigned in relation to the establishment of the new degree. Qualifications: The Department is looking for highly motivated candidates with demonstrated administrative experience who are ready to take up the challenge of establishing an entirely new, innovative degree. Candidates must possess good communication and computer skills and have an interest in Higher Education. A working knowledge of French at a minimum is required, although fluency is preferred. Position Information: This position's appointment percentage will depend upon the level at which the appointment is made (at the project assistant level, it is a 50% time appointment). The position is available August 1, 1998, until July 31, 1999, and depending on project funding, may continue up to 2 years. Application Procedure: Applicants should write a letter of interest addressing specific qualifications outlined above, submit a resume, a transcript and provide the names and phone numbers of two references to: Professor Gilles Bousquet and Martine Debaisieux, c/o Cheryl Arn, Department of French and Italian, 618 Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Drive, Madison, WI 53706. Questions can be directed to Gilles Bousquet at 262-4062, or by email DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: MAY 22, 1998.

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FACULTY POSITIONS/TEMPORARY FACULTY/ACADEMIC POSITIONS

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Stan Whittingham of SUNY-Binghamton will be leading a search for a beginning faculty position in Inorganic Materials Chemistry early this Fall. This will be the 5th new hire in Chemistry here in the last three years, and continues the University's goal of strengthening the Chemistry program. An ad in C&E News will appear at the end of August.

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Eastern Oregon State College. Anticipated Position in Inorganic Chemistry. The successful candidate will teach senior level inorganic chemistry, undergraduate quantum mechanics, and share the responsibility of general chemistry with other faculty. A strong commitment to undergraduate teaching is expected. All Eastern faculty actively participate in academic advising, student seminars, campus committees, curriculum development, research, supervision of undergraduate student research, community outreach, and activities supporting the regional mission of the institution. An active SAACS is in place at Eastern and the successful candidate, in concert with the other chemistry faculty, is expected to support this activity. A Ph.D. required, inorganic chemistry preferred field. Eastern seeks a dynamic individual who will continue our high quality of teaching. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. This is a full-time, nine-month, tenure-track appointment at the Assistant Professor level. Appointment begins September 16, 1998. Send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, copy of all university transcripts, and three recent letters of recommendation to: Professor Richard Hermens, Chemistry Search, Badgley Hall of Science, Eastern Oregon State College, 1410 "L" Avenue, La Grande, Oregon, 97850-2899, Phone: (541) 962-3672, http://www.eosc.osshe.edu. Application deadline is May 26, 1998, or until filled. Inquiries: Phone: (541)962-3322, Fax: (541)962-3873, E-mail: rhermens@eou.edu.

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The University at Albany, State University of New York, Department of Chemistry, seeks applicants for a tenure track faculty line in inorganic chemistry. This appointment is one of several anticipated positions which are part of a planned multi-year investment in Chemistry in the areas of materials science and the life sciences. This commitment includes not only personnel but also new laboratory facilities and equipment. Experience in materials science related areas is preferred. Joint appointments with the Center for Advanced Thin Film Technology (CAT) are possible and encouraged. The CAT is a $40 million resource which was created at the University by the State of New York. It is equipped with a highly advanced infrastructure for research on the processing, patterning and characterization of single and multilayered thin film materials. Candidates, with Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience, will be expected to demonstrate excellence in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and develop vigorous funded research programs. Please send three letters of recommendation, summary of research plans, and curriculum vitae to: Prof. Lawrence Snyder, Chair, Faculty Search Committee, Department of Chemistry, University at Albany, SUNY, Albany, NY 12222. Consideration of applications will begin as soon as possible. The University at Albany is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

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Truman State University's chemistry program invites application for two temporary full time positions to teach first year chemistry and/or Organic Chemistry courses. These positions are one year temporary with possibility for an additional year. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or ABD in the appropriate field of chemistry. Some teaching experience is desirable. The chemistry program at Truman State University is fully accredited by ACS and has had a significant increase in chemistry majors during the last three years. Truman State University is ranked fourth by Money Magazine Guide to Best Buys in Colleges. Truman State University is Missouri's only statewide, highly selective public undergraduate liberal arts and sciences university. We are nationally recognized for our innovative assessment program and commitment to a broad-base liberal arts and science education. Students benefit from a university-wide 16:1 student/faculty ratio and the opportunity to work closely with faculty conducting research. Send your letter of application, resume, transcripts of all academic work, a short essay about your teaching philosophy and three letters of recommendation to: Chair, Chemistry Faculty Search Committee, Science Division, Truman State University, Kirksville, MO 63501. Completed applications will be reviewed two weeks after appearance of this advertisement. Non-U.S. citizens must have permanent residential status or approval to work before date of employment.

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Smith College, the largest private college for women in the United States, wishes to recruit a senior faculty member in the area of either biochemistry or organic chemistry. This is a full-time, tenured or tenure-track position with a starting date as early as fall of 1998. We seek an individual with a strong commitment to undergraduate education, demonstrated teaching ability, and a record of outstanding scholarly accomplishments. Candidates should submit CV, statement of teaching and research interests, and the names of three references to: Robert G. Linck, Chair, Department of Chemistry, Smith College, Northampton. MA 01063. Inquiries to rlinck@sophia.smith.edu or (413) 585-3836.

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Kansas State University, Department of Chemistry invites applications for a temporary or visiting faculty member beginning August, 1998. We seek a temporary faculty member with a Ph.D. in chemistry and a strong commitment to undergraduate education to teach undergraduate freshman chemistry courses. This faculty member would also have the opportunity to collaborate in research with our departmental research groups. Informal enquiries are welcome to the Department Head, Professor Sherwood (Tel: (785)532-6665; e-mail: escachem@ksu.edu: FAX: (785)532-6666) Applicants should submit a letter of application; a complete curriculum vita; copies of transcripts from undergraduate and graduate studies; a statement of teaching philosophy; and arrange to have at least three letters of recommendation sent to: Professor Peter M.A. Sherwood, Chair Temporary Faculty Search Committee, Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas, 66506-3701. Screening will commence June 15, 1998 and will continue until a suitable candidate is found. Details of the department can be found at http://www.ksu.edu/chem.

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POSTDOCTORAL POSITION AND/OR JOBS

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Bill Vining, of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst has a two-year position available for a person with training in organic chemistry to work on a sophomore level CD-ROM for organic chemistry students. The position begins this summer. The project involves creating interactive tutorial modules that explain mechanistic aspects of organic reactions, reactivity trends, spectroscopy, and synthetic techniques. Computer expertise is preferable, but not essential. Molecular modeling experience would be an advantage. For information, please contact: Bill Vining, Department of Chemistry, U-Mass, Lederle Research Tower, Amherst, MA 01003, Phone: 413-545-2352, FAX: 413-545-5410.

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George Ewing of Indiana University has an opening for a postdoctoral position. Our mission is to try to understand the structure and properties of thin film water and ice near ambient conditions. Two of our recent papers [Langmuir 13, 6345 (1997) and J. Phys. Chem. B 101, 10880 (1997)] illustrate the style of our approach. In addition to our infrared studies, we also enjoy collaborations with Anthony Stone (Cambridge University) and Tim Zwier (Purdue) to further explore water films by molecular dynamics calculations and sum frequency generation (SFG) techniques. Please contact: George Ewing, Chancellors' Professor of Chemistry, Indiana University, Bloomington IN 47405, (812) 855-5754 (Office), (821) 855-8300 (Fax), E-mail: ewingg@indiana.edu.

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Christopher J. Cramer of the University of Minnesota has a postdoctoral position available within his group for one year, extendable to two by mutual agreement. I am looking for individuals with expertise in one of the two below areas, in order of preference: 1) Modeling (either quantum mechanical or classical) nucleophilic substitution, and particularly hydrolysis, of organophosphonate and/or phosphate esters in the condensed phase. Familiarity with hybrid QM/MM methods, particularly when applied to enzyme substrate complexes, is desirable, but not required. 2) Quantum mechanical modeling of organic and/or inorganic systems characterized by multiple spin states that span a small energy range. Familiarity with non-Kekule systems or with photosynthetic systems or with magnetic interactions in bulk materials desired. For both projects, opportunities exist spanning the range from methods development to applications involving specific systems. Interested applicants should send a CV and arrange for three letters of reference to be sent separately. Electronic submission of any or all materials is fine. Appropriate addresses may be found on my web page. Christopher J. Cramer, University of Minnesota, Department of Chemistry, 207 Pleasant St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0431, Phone: (612) 624-0859, Fax:(612) 626-2006, cramer@pollux.chem.umn.edu, http://pollux.chem.umn.edu/~cramer.

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DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE IN ROOM 1380.

NEXT NEWSLETTER IS ON MAY 18^th, 1998.