Chemistry Newsletter - 12/13/1999

University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Chemistry Newsletter

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LAST NEWSLETTER FOR 1999

During Christmas break the newsletter will not be published. Next week's newsletter will be the last one of the year. Please continue to submit material for publication to me in the duplicating room, my mailbox or via e-mail. The next newsletter is scheduled for January 4^th, 2000. Happy Holidays!!

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Inorganic Chemistry Cumulative Exam Schedule, 1999-2000

All cumes are in room 2373 from 9 am to noon.

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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 is normally completed by the second year of Graduate School. Minor Agreement forms are available in Room 1221.

SEMINARS

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Monday, December 13th, 1999 - Special Chemistry Seminar, 3:30 p.m., Room 1631 Chemistry Building. Sergey Kozmin, Postdoc, Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania. "New Strategies in Target Oriented Synthesis: Tabersonine and Cylindrocyclophane F"

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Tuesday, December 14^th, 1999 - Chemical Engineering Seminar, 3:55 p.m., Room 1227 Engineering Hall. Professor Matthew Neurock, University of Virginia. "First-Principles Modeling of Metal Catalyzed Surface Chemistry"

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Thursday, December 14th, 1999 - Special Chemistry Seminar, 1:30 p.m., Room 8335 Chemistry Building. Kate Queeney, Postdoc with Dr. Yves Chabal, Bell Laboratories, Lucent Technologies, Murray Hill, New Jersey, "Uncovering the Secrets of a Perfect Interface: Infrared Spectroscopy ofSiO2 on Silicon."

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Thursday, December 16th, 1999 - Special Chemistry Seminar, 11:00 a.m., Room 1361 Chemistry Building. Gregory Tew, Graduate Research Assistant with Professor Samuel I. Stupp, Northwestern University. "Assembling Molecules Into Ordered Materials"

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Tuesday, December 21th, 1999 - Special Chemistry Seminar, 11:00 p.m., Room 8335 Chemistry Building. Svetlana Sukhishvili, Research Associate, Professor Steve Granick Group, Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, "Uncharged, Charged and Chargeable Polymers at Surfaces."

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Monday, December 20th, 1999 - Special Chemistry Seminar, 3:30 p.m., Room B371 Chemistry Building. Daesung Lee, Postdoctoral Research Fellow with Professor Stuart L. Schreiber, Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology, Harvard University, "Target-Oriented and Diversity-Oriented Organic Synthesis."

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For Industrial Positions, see the Chemistry Career Services Newsletter at:

http://www.chem.wisc.edu/placement/7news.html

FACULTY POSITIONS/TEMPORARY FACULTY/ACADEMIC POSITIONS

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The University of Missouri is seeking a tenure-track Assistant Professor in nutritional sciences. Preference will be given to individuals studying in-born errors of metal metabolism, metal ion transport proteins, metal-related regulation of gene expression, or metalloprotein biochemistry. This position is supported by the campus-wide Life Sciences Mission Enhancement program. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally-funded research program using radioisotopes to study problems of broad nutritional importance in model systems at any phylogenetic level. It is anticipated that this person will utilize the unique facilities at the University of Missouri Research Reactor, and will have an adjunct appointment and some laboratory space at the Reactor. See http://www.misssouri.edu/~nutsci/ for further information. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Competitive salary and start-up funds are included in this position and it also includes some teaching responsibilities. Applicants require a Ph.D. in biochemistry, molecular biology, chemistry, nutritional sciences or related area, and postdoctoral experience. Send a curriculum vitae, representative publications, a summary of past research and teaching accomplishments, a statement of future research plans, and arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to: Dr. David J. Eide, Search Committee Chair, Department of Nutritional Sciences, 217 Gwynn Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211.

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The University of Toledo is undertaking a major initiative in biological chemistry and invites applications and nominations for three open rank faculty positions to begin Fall, 2000 or later. Applicants must have a Ph.D. and postdoctoral experience. The successful candidates will be expected to conduct outstanding, externally-funded research in biological (or biologically related) chemistry. The University of Toledo is the home of the Ohio Crystallography Consortium. Individuals who either require macromolecular crystallography facilities or could benefit from existing local expertise are encouraged to apply. Joint appointments within the Departments of Biology or Medicinal and Biological Chemistry will be encouraged. Further information on the positions and the new research facilities in Wolfe Hall can be found on the Department of Chemistry web site http://utchem.org . Applicants for senior appointments should send a cv along with a research plan to: Faculty Search Committee Chair, Department of Chemistry, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH 43606. Applicants at the Assistant Professor level should also arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent. Review of applications will begin after January 3, 2000 and continue until the positions are filled.

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In the Department of Biophysics of Leiden University, The Netherlands, two graduate student (PhD) positions are offered for (BIO)PHYSICISTS or PHYSICAL CHEMISTS who are interested in applying various magnetic resonance techniques for unravelling the fundamental molecular mechanisms of solar energy conversion in plant photosynthesis. The Magnetic Resonance Group of the department has a longstanding tradition of applying sophisticated electron paramagnetic resonance methods to obtain information on the structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus that cannot be obtained by other methods. The techniques comprise state-of-the-art time-resolved flash photolysis EPR equipment at a number of microwave frequencies ranging from 2 to 130 GHz, pulsed EPR, including 1D and 2D Electron Spin Echo Envelope Modulation (ESEEM) and pulsed Electron-Nuclear Double Resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy, optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR), and magnetophotoselection experiments, all at variable temperatures down to 1.2 kelvin. Several of the experimental set-ups have been developed in our own laboratory. The first project involves the investigation of spin-isotope labelled tyrosine and quinone cofactors of so-called Photosystem II of plants with a variety of EPR methods, including 1D and 2D ESEEM, pulsed ENDOR and time-resolved EPR at various frequencies in the range 2-130 Ghz. The second project involves the development and implementation of a new ODMR spectroscopy, in which changes in the circular dichroism of the photosynthetic preparation are measured and correlated with the detailed structure of the cofactors and their protein environment. The two projects represent two different approaches aiming at understanding the mechanisms of photosynthetic energy conversion in sufficient detail to make it possible to develop environment-friendly biomimetic solar energy cells that harvest sunlight and convert it into sustainable chemical and electrical energy. The projects are embedded in a TMR Network of the European Union, comprising groups in Athens, Berlin, London, Munich, Oxford, Padova and Paris, which coordinates the investigations aimed at developing a source of sustainable energy. The positions offered are each for a four-year term, and can be occupied as of now. Candidates should preferably have some experience with EPR or related spectroscopies. Experience in photosynthesis research is appreciated but not necessary. They should submit a full resum�, including a list of papers and practical works, and name and addresses (with phone, fax and email) of at least two referents. Further information about the Magnetic Resonance Group can be found at the website of the Biophysics Department, with a description of current research and a list of recent papers: http://www.biophys.leidenuniv.nl/research/RCs/ . For more information on the two projects contact: Prof.Dr. A.J. Hoff, phone +31-71-5275955, fax +31-71-5275819, e-mail: hoff@biophys.leidenuniv.nl or Dr. P. Gast, phone +31-71-5275979, email gast@biophys.leidenuniv.nl . Applications should be sent to: Prof.Dr. A.J. Hoff, Biophysics Department, Huygens Laboratory, Leiden University, P.O. Box 9504, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands.

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Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Professor of Biochemistry or Analytical Chemistry. Research activities should focus on Biochemistry or Analytical chemistry and the new professor will be expected to participate in the chemistry undergraduate and Graduate teaching at all levels. A curriculum vitae, a list of publications with copies, description of research interests, transcript (B.S, M.S, Ph.D), Degree certificates (M.S and Ph.D), and four recommendation letters together with a filled-out application form should be sent to: Chair, Department of Chemist KAIST, Taejon 305-701 Korea, Tel, 82-42-869-2826, 82-42-869-5797, Fax. 82-42-B69-2810, e-mail: jtpark@sorak.kaist.ac.kr . Priority deadline is Dec. 29, 1999.

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The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Arkansas solicits applications for a tenure track position beginning August 2000. Exceptional candidates in the area of molecular diversity/combinatorial chemistry, particularly those with a strong organic chemistry background, are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have relevant postdoctoral research experience. Evidence of ability to develop a creative and nationally competitive research program and motivation toward excellence in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level should be provided. The recent addition of the Center for Advanced Sensing Technology will allow the successful candidate collaborative research opportunities in this multidiscipline area. Although the appointment is expected to be at the level of assistant professor, an advanced level of appointment is possible. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 1999 and will continue until the position is filled. A detailed curriculum vita, a description of research plans, and three letters of reference should be sent directly to: Search Committee, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701-1201. Web address: http://www.uark.edu/chemistry .

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The Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Buffalo, invites applications for a tenure track Assistant Professorship in Organic Chemistry. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Chemistry and postdoctoral experience is highly recommended. The successful candidate must be committed to undergraduate and graduate education and will be expected to develop a vigorous well-funded program of research. Preference will be given to candidates with research interests in areas of synthetic or bioorganic chemistry which complement the existing research programs in the department. A description of the Chemistry Department at Buffalo and the faculty research programs is available on the WWW at: http://www.chem.buffalo.edu/ . Candidates should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, brief statement of research plans and teaching philosophy, and three letters of recommendation to: Organic Search Committee Chair, Department of Chemistry, Natural Science Complex, State University of New York at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, 14260-3000. Applications will be reviewed starting on November 1, 1999 and will be accepted until the position is filled.

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Eastern Connecticut State University. Tenure-track position in Physical Sciences. Ph.D. in Biochemistry or related field; postdoctoral training an advantage. Demonstrated interest in undergraduate teaching and research. Duties include developing and teaching courses in biophysical chemistry, biochemistry, other undergraduate chemistry courses, and working with the Biology department to establish a biochemistry major. Screening begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Send curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy and research interests, and three letters of recommendation to: Dr. Elizabeth Cowles, Biology Department, 83 Windham Street, Eastern Connecticut State University, Willimantic, CT 06226. Website: http://www.ecsu.ctstateu.edu . Telephone: 860-465-4385; FAX: 860-465-5213 e-mail: cowlese@ecsuc.ctstateu.edu .

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Tenure-track faculty openings at the University of Kansas. Specifically, we are seeking an Assistant Professor of Medicinal Chemistry to begin in the fall of 2000, although particularly distinguished candidates are welcome to apply for consideration at a higher level. Please contact: Professor Jeffrey Aub�, School of Pharmacy, 4070 Malott Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045-2506, (785) 864-4495, Fax: (785) 864-5326.

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Bryn Mawr College. An organic chemistry tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor level has just become available in our department because of the sudden resignation of Charles Swindell to accept a job as Vice President for Research at a small pharmaceutical company. In addition, we are seeking to fill a newly created tenure-track position in experimental physical chemistry at the Assistant Professor level. The ad for these two positions will appear soon in Chemical & Engineering News. For more information on these jobs, please contact: Frank B. Mallory, W. Alton Jones Professor, Department of Chemistry, Bryn Mawr College, 101 N. Merion Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-2899, Tel: 610-526-5105 Fax: 6 10-526-5086 e-mail: fmallory@brynmawr.edu .

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POSTDOCTORAL POSITION AND/OR JOBS

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The University of Texas, Health Science Center at San Antonio. Postdoctoral Research Positions are available starting IMMEDIATELY to examine structure/function relationships of ligands and receptors of the TGF-p superfamily. Chemists, biochemists, or biophysicists with NMR experience are especially encouraged to apply. Subjects of study include components of the transforming growth fator-beta (TGF-beta) signaling pathway: TGF-beta and the TGF-beta type I and type II transmembrane signaling receptors, the SMAD family of proteins, and transciptional regulators, such as p300/CBP. Specific emphases of this research include the application of multinuclear multidimensional NMR techniques for elucidating three-dimensional structure in solution. Additional emphases is placed on the use of 15N relaxation measurements as a method for probing dynamic processes over a wide range of timescales. The laboratory is part of the core high field NMR facility in the Center for Biomolecular Structure Analysis. This facility includes state of the art instrumentation for high field (500 MHz, and soon 700 MHz) NMR and computational (DEC-alpha/Silicon Graphics) facilities located in a brand new research building on the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) campus. The Center also includes state of the art instrumentation for other aspects of biomolecular structure analysis, including X-ray crystallography (MSC it-axis IV, RU-300, X-stream, osmic mirror system), analytical ultracentrifugation (Beckman XL-I), calorimetry (Microcal VP-DSC), and mass spectrometry (Finnegan LCQ electrospray). Ample shared facilities are also available on the Health Science Center campus including automated fluorescent DNA sequencing, protein sequencing, amino acid analysis, and peptide synthesis. Visit our websites at: http://instinct.v24.uthscsa.edu/-hincklab , http://biochem.uthscsa.edu , and http://www.uthscsa.edu to learn more about the Hinck laboratory, the Biochemistry Department, and the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Applicants should have a Ph.D. degree in cell biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related field. Please send or email a cover letter, c.v., and contact information for three references to: Dr. Andrew Hinck, Department of Biochemistry/AH 5.206, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78284-7760, (210) 567-8780, e-mail: hinck@uthscsa.edu .

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Assistant Professor Timothy E. Patten of the University of California, Davis is seeking candidates for a two-year postdoctoral research position, available immediately. This is an NSF-funded position through the Center for Polymeric Interfaces and Macromolecular Assemblies (CPIMA) at Stanford University. The project involves a unique application of synthetic organic chemistry to the synthesis of glycopolymers and to solving problems in biomaterials science, and would offer the researcher a chance to develop synthetic skills in carbohydrate chemistry while learning about polymer and materials science. The project entails the synthesis of end-functionalized polysaccharides via the cationic ring-opening polymerization of anhydrosugars. The work would involve the synthesis of a variety 1,6anhydrosugars, and then these monomers would be polymerized using controlled / "living" cationic ring-opening polymerization methods that we have developed. In collaboration with engineering groups these polymers will be grafted to surfaces and used as supports for mobile lipid bilayers. Certain groups within this collaboration are interested in using the supported lipid bilayers to anchor and study transmembrane proteins. All of the synthetic chemistry will be performed here in my group, and the surface studies will be performed in collaboration with engineering groups at Stanford University, Max-Planck Institute (Mainz) and UC Davis. He is looking for someone with a strong background in synthetic organic chemistry. Experience with carbohydrate chemistry is not necessary but would be a plus. Also, a background in polymers is not necessary (but would be a plus), because the person would learn polymer chemistry while working with my research group. The appointment will be for one year with an extension to a second year possible based on mutual agreement. The salary would be $ 27,000 per year plus benefits. Please direct inquiries to: Timothy E. Patten, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Department of Chemistry, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA, 9566-5295, phone: (530) 754-6181, fax: (530) 752-8995, e-mail: patten@indigo.ucdavis.edu .

Please submit all newsletter information or address changes to: goldade@chem.wisc.edu or 262-0293. Thank You.

DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE IN ROOM 1380.

NEXT NEWSLETTER IS ON JANUARY 3^rd, 2000.