Chemistry Newsletter - 05/24/1999

University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Chemistry Newsletter

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Congratulations to Professor Hyuk Yu

Hyuk Yu will receive the1999 Langmuir Award by the Colloid and Surface Chemistry Division of ACS, and will deliver the Langmuir Award Lecture at the National Meeting of ACS at New Orleans in August. Congratulations Hyuk!!!

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Congratulations to the following recipients of scholarships, fellowships, and awards.

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Graduate Fellowships for the 1999-2000 academic year:

Christopher Cheatum (Crim group): Proctor & Gamble Fellowship.

Sarah Coulter (Hamers Group): Barwasser-Week Fellowship.

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Daniel L. Sherk award for best undergraduate research:

Mariah Quinn (Gellman).

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Undergraduate support for research in summer 1999:

Adam Fiedler (Reich): Don Brouse Memorial Scholarship.

Kendra Frederick (Corn), Hiroki Hiramatsu (Zimmerman), and

Shaun Lippow (Ediger): Walter W. and Young-Ja Toy Scholarships.

Petersen Hasjim (Yu): Helfaer Scholarship.

Brian Paradise (West): Edward Panek Memorial Scholarship.

Kimberly Petersen (McMahon): Anonymous Scholarship.

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Undergraduate scholarships for the 1999-2000 academic year:

Derick Juengst, Margot Paulick, and Nick Stanton: Helfaer Scholarships.

Elizabeth Mengelt: Mabel D. Reiner Scholarship.

Kimberly Petersen: Margaret McLean Bender Scholarship.

Kwokshing Tang: Wayne Noland Undergraduate Research Fellowship.

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Congratulations to All!!!

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Organic Chemistry Cumulative Exam Schedule, 1999.

Thursdays, 7:30 p.m., room B371 Chemistry Building.

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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 of minor courses. The minor requirement is expected to be completed by the end of the third year of graduate school. Minor agreement forms are available in Room 1221.

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SEMINARS

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Monday, May 24th,1999 - Seminar. Noon, Biotechnology Auditorium, 425 Henry Mall. Professor Garland Marshall, Washington University, St. louis. "Bound Conformations for Ligands for G-Protein Coupled Receptors"

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Recent Publications

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Kelemen BR; Raines RT.

Extending the limits to enzymatic catalysis: Diffusion of ribonuclease A in one dimension.

BIOCHEMISTRY 1999, Vol 38, Iss 17, pp 5302-5307.

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Ni HH; Anderson CF; Record MT.

Quantifying the thermodynamic consequences of cation (M2+, M+) accumulation and anion (X-) exclusion in mixed salt solutions of polyanionic DNA using Monte Carlo and Poisson-Boltzmann calculations of ion-polyion preferential interaction coefficients.

JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B 1999, Vol 103, Iss 17, pp 3489-3504.

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Eichler BE; Miracle GE; Powell DR; West R.

Three stable 1-silapropadienes.

MAIN GROUP METAL CHEMISTRY 1999, Vol 22, Iss 3, pp 147-162.

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Schoning KU; Hayashi RK; Powell DR; Kirschning A.

Synthetic studies toward ansatrienines: application of the Evans-Tishchenko reaction to chiral enones.

TETRAHEDRON-ASYMMETRY 1999, Vol 10, Iss 5, pp 817-820.

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Copyright � 1998 Institute for Scientific Information

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Teaching and Learning with Technology Symposium

You are invited to a symposium, "Teaching and Learning with Technology: Progress and Prospects," to be held Thursday and Friday, May 27 and 28 at Grainger Hall. Through interactive workshops and hands-on sessions, faculty and staff will share their experience with using technology to enhance teaching and learning. If you've been thinking about using instructional technology, this symposium can help you make informed decisions. The symposium will address recent progress, identify current issues and discuss prospects for the future. Chancellor Ward will address "The Role of Instructional Technology at UW-Madison: Progress and Prospects." Ed Neal, Director of Faculty Development at The Center for Teaching and Learning at UNC, will speak on "Technology and Teaching: Back to Basics." There will be ample time for discussion. We invite you to join us in this campus forum. For more details or to register, check out the symposium website at http://www.wisc.edu/symposium99 . If you would like more information, please call Outreach Services at 263-1672.

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For Industrial Positions, see the Chemistry Placement Newsletter at:

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

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FACULTY POSITIONS/TEMPORARY FACULTY/ACADEMIC POSITIONS

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Microfabrication Engineer (Research Scientist or Research Engineer Staff position): The Genomation Laboratory in the University of Washington's Electrical Engineering Department seeks a microfabrication engineer to pursue interdisciplinary work in miniaturized automation of DNA studies and processes in support of the Human Genome Project. The researcher will design, develop, fabricate, and analyze novel microfabricated devices for genome analysis. This is an opportunity to contribute to an exciting project and learn about a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field. Applicants must have earned a doctorate in electrical engineering, chemical engineering, or closely related field by the date of appointment. Successful applicants will be expected to have or acquire knowledge in: microfluidics; microfabrication design and fabrication with glass, silicon, and plastic; molecular biology and procedures such as PCR, sequencing, screening. The researcher would supervise one graduate student and work closely with undergraduate and graduate students, research staff, and industrial partners in pursuit of miniaturized automated fluid sample handling and preparation of submicroliter biochemical reactions. See http://rcs.ee.washington.edu/GNL for more details. Members of our group have had formal training in electrical engineering, physics/engineering physics, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemistry, and mechanical engineering. Send resume and 3 references (names, addresses, phone, e-mail) to: Dr. Deirdre Meldrum, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, Box 352500, Seattle, WA 98195-2500.

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Research Associate: The Genomation Laboratory in the University of Washington's Electrical Engineering Department seeks a post-doc to pursue interdisciplinary work in automation of DNA studies and processes in support of the Human Genome Project. This is an opportunity to contribute to an exciting project and learn about a rapidly growing interdisciplinary field. Applicants must have earned a doctorate in physics, engineering, or closely related field by the date of appointment. Successful applicants will be expected to have or acquire knowledge in: design and optimization of mechanical, electrical, and optical systems; controls and programming; molecular biology and procedures such as PCR, sequencing, screening. Microfluidics & heat transfer are also useful. The researcher would work closely with undergraduate and graduate students, research staff, and industrial partners in pursuit of automated fluid sample handling and preparation of submicroliter biochemical reactions. See http://rcs.ee.washington.edu/GNL for more details. Members of our group have had formal training in electrical engineering, physics/engineering physics, biochemistry, bioengineering, chemistry, and mechanical engineering. Send resume and 3 references (names, addresses, phone, e-mail) to: Dr. Deirdre Meldrum, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Washington, Box 352500, Seattle, WA 98195-2500.

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The University Of Wales, Aberystwyth. Applications are invited from candidates with excellent research records in Materials Physics, a new group lead by Professor Neville Greaves, with programmes in glass structure and transport, high temperature liquids, microporous materials and semiconductors. In house facilities being set up include Raman Spectroscopy, XPS, laser ellipsometry and a new 400 MHz wide bore NMR spectrometer. Substantial use is also made of in situ synchrotron radiation and neutron techniques. The lecturer will be expected to have complementary research interests and will be particularly responsible for developing the NMR facility for the study of disordered solid and liquid materials. Previous experience in appropriate NMR techniques is desirable but not essential. The appointment will be at the appropriate point on the Grade A/B Scale for lecturers (currently �16,655 - �29,048). For further information about this post and about the Department, please contact Professor Neville Greaves, Head of Physics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, phone: 44 1970 622802; gng@aber.ac.uk . Application forms can be obtained from Kathryn Raw-Rees e-mail: krr@aber.ac.uk . Completed forms should be returned to: the Personnel Office, The University of Wales, Old College, King Street, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 2AX.

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Utah State University is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Head of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Utah State University. Qualified candidates will have a Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or a related area and will currently hold the rank of Professor. In addition, applicants should have an internationally recognized research program with excellent teaching credentials at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and an established record of University and professional service. Excellent administrative and leadership skills necessary to promote the development of a dynamic department with diverse research, teaching, and service responsibilities and goals are also required. Applications from qualified women and minorities are strongly encouraged. More information on the department can be found at www.chem.usu.edu or by e-mail to Beth Blaser at blaser@cc.usu.edu . The screening of applicants will begin on September 30, 1999 and will continue until the position is filled. Nominations or applications (including a vita and the names of five references) should be sent to: Department Head Search Committee, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Utah State University, 0300 Old Main Hill, Logan UT 84322-0300.

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The College of Visual Arts, St. Paul, Minnesota seeks an assistant professor to teach courses in the natural sciences and mathematics beginning August 30, 1999. Responsibilities include six courses per year, supervision and development of science/math curriculum, student advising, accreditation assessment, and committee work. Ph.D. and significant teaching experience required. Send letter of application, vita, one-page teaching philosophy, and list of references by June 15 to: Julie L'Enfant, Chair, Liberal Arts, College of Visual Arts, 344 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55102.

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The Chemical Sciences Group of Wyeth-Ayerst Research is soliciting applications from chemists at all degree levels. We are in the process of filling a number of new chemistry openings within our Discovery organization. Successful candidates will have strong backgrounds and laboratory experience in one or more of the following disciplines: Synthetic organic chemistry, Medicinal chemistry, Combinatorial chemistry, Analytical chemistry, Natural products chemistry. Our Chemical Sciences Group is located at four research sites, dedicated to identifying significant new drugs in five major disease areas: Radnor, PA: Women's Health Care, Princeton, NJ: Central Nervous System Disorders, Pearl River, NY: Oncology and Infectious Diseases, Cambridge, MA: Immunoinflammatory Diseases. For more information about Wyeth-Ayerst and our parent company, American Home Products, visit our website at http://www.ahp.com . Please mail your resume with salary requirements to: Wyeth-Ayerst, Code: MedChem 99, P.O. Box 7686, Philadelphia, PA 19101-7886 or FAX (in fine mode) to: (610) 989-4854 or Email (ASCII format, no attachments, subject: resume) to: jobs@RAMAIL1.wyeth.com .

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Faculty Position in Materials Research. Institute of Technology. University of Minnesota. The University of Minnesota has created an Initiative on Materials Research. As part of this initiative, five new positions with an interdisciplinary emphasis are to be filled over the next two years. Four are open to candidates with interests in materials synthesis, properties, characterization, and applications. The intent of the positions is to promote strength and collaborations across the Institute of Technology. Areas of particular interest are: magneto-electronic and magnetic materials, materials for MEMS, organic semiconductors, and electronics and optoelectronics, but the search will consider outstanding candidates in other areas. Departments within the Institute of Technology include Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Geology and Geophysics, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, and Physics and Astronomy. The candidate's home department will depend on his/her background and research interests. Applicants must possess a strong research record, a demonstrated ability to establish a highly visible research program, and a commitment to teaching and mentoring at the graduate and undergraduate levels. A PhD degree by the time of appointment in a relevant discipline is required. Preference will be given to junior level appointees, but exceptional candidates will be considered for more senior appointments. Applicants should submit a curriculum vita, a summary of research accomplishments and plans, a preference of home department, and the names of at least three references to: Professor Chris J. Palmstrom, Chair of the Materials Research Search Committee, 151 Amundson Hall, 421 Washington Avenue SE, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455. For more information, see http://www.it.umn.edu or e-mail: palms001@tc.umn.edu . The searches will continue until the positions are filled.

POSTDOCTORAL POSITION AND/OR JOBS

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A PhD studentship funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is available from October 1st, 1999 in the research group of Dr Michael A. Paver at the University of Southampton, United Kingdom. The project is concerned with the syntheses of polynuclear main organometallics, dendrimers and metallacycles along with mixed alkali metal/p-block metal derivatives, with a view to their applications as catalytic supports and MOCVD applications towards photosensitive intermetallic films. The project primarily involves inert atmosphere syntheses, with optional training in X-ray crystallography. Applicants must be European Union citizens and are expected to hold a BSc (2.1 or higher) or MChem (2.2 or higher) or equivalent degree in chemistry. For further information please contact Dr M.A. Paver, e-mail map1@soton.ac.uk or the address given below. To apply please send a full CV together with the names of two academic referees to Dr Michael Paver or Dr Jeremy Kilburn to: Dr Michael Paver, Department of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK., Tel (+44) 01703 593591, Fax (+44) 01703 593781, e-mail: map1@soton.ac.uk .

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Professor Guillermo C. Bazan of the University of California-Santa Barbara has two postdoctoral positions available in his group immediately. The first project concerns the interaction between DNA and conjugated organic compounds. The project would be ideal for students with a background in DNA chemistry who are interested in expanding their expertise into the study of photophysical processes in condensed organic media. The second project is concerned with the preparation of organometallic complexes containing boron heterocycles. We have found that certain metallocene mimics supported by boratabenzene rings can selectively convert ethylene to 1-alkenes (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 9305). This is a conceptually new application of electrophilic complexes which we hope to capitalize in a variety of ways. For example, we published a tandem catalyst process for the synthesis of branched polyethylene from ethylene alone (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1998, 120, 1082). There is much fundamental main group chemistry to be done in order to fully realize the potential of this unique chemistry. A background in main group organometallic chemistry would be preferred. He is particularly interested in students with a strong work ethic, that have synthetic experience and who are willing to venture outside their traditional areas of expertise. Applicants should submit a CV and the names of two or three references and are welcome to contact me by phone, e-mail or regular post for further details. Our fax number here is 805-893-5538. Professor Guillermo C. Bazan, Chemistry Department, Department of Materials Science, University of California-Santa Barbara, CA 93106, (805) 893-5538.

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University of Akron, Postdoctoral Position, Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy. Continuous-wave cavity ringdown spectroscopy is a high sensitivity method for recording fully resolved infrared spectra. Our objective is to obtain precise information about torsion-vibration and vibration-vibration coupling pathways important in intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR) in small molecules. Methanol was chosen for study because it is becoming a benchmark system for studies of IVR and because of its relevance to combustion systems. The work is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Additional information on the University of Akron Department of Chemistry and the Perry research group may be found on the web at www.chemistry.uakron.edu . The postdoctoral fellow's primary work will be implementation and application of the cavity ringdown technique. In addition, the fellow will be involved in the analysis of and quantum mechanical modeling of high resolution spectra. There is also the possibility of participation in the collaboration with T. R. Rizzo's group in the EPFL in Lausanne, Switzerland. A funded NSF International Programs grant enables collaborators from Akron to spend 3 month periods doing IRLAPS (infrared laser-assisted photodissociation spectroscopy) experiments in Lausanne. Together, the rotationally resolved experiments in Akron and Lausanne span the frequency range from 2900 to 25,000 cm-1 and probe IVR timescales from 100 fs to 1 ns. The successful candidate will be highly motivated toward a successful research career and will have demonstrated research productivity. A Ph.D. degree in chemistry, physics, or a related area is expected. Skills with lasers, optics, electronics, vacuum systems, and computers are needed for this position. An initial appointment will be for 1 year at a salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Funding is available for a second year and renewal will be by mutual agreement. Applications may be sent by email or regular mail to: Professor David S. Perry, Department of Chemistry, University of Akron, Akron, OH, 44325-3601, Email: Dperry@UAkron.edu , Phone: 330-972-6825, Fax: 330-972-7370. Include a C.V., a description of research skills, and arrange for at least two letters of recommendation to be sent.

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A postdoctoral position is available immediately for combined work in the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Sciences (Edward Lakatta, Chief) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Unit (Richard Spencer, Chief) of the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health, located in Baltimore, Maryland. The work will center on MR spectroscopic and imaging studies of cardiac function and myocardial metabolism related to 1) congestive heart failure and 2) beta adrenergic stimulation of the heart. Other research opportunities may be available depending on the interests and background of the successful candidate. NMR instrumentation consists of a double-resonance Bruker ABX 1.9T/31 cm Biospec with shielded gradients, and a triple-resonance wide-bore Bruker DMX 400 Avance system with microimaging and solids capability. A background in NMR spectroscopy or imaging is preferred, although applicants with experience in muscle and cardiac physiology and a strong desire to learn NMR techniques are also encouraged to apply. The appointment will be as an IRTA Postdoctoral Fellow for US citizens, or as a Visiting Fellow for US non-citizens. Accordingly, applicants must have fewer than five years of postdoctoral experience. Interested individuals should send their CV and the names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references to: Dr. Richard Spencer, NMR Unit, NIH/NIA, GRC 4D-08, 5600 Nathan Shock Drive, Baltimore, MD 21224; Tel. 410-558-8226; e-mail: spencer@helix.nih.gov .

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Josef Michl of the University of Colorado has a unanticipated opening for a postdoc with synthetic experience in organometallic or plain organic chemistry, available immediately ($25k/year for a fresh PhD, more for an experienced person). The project has ultimately to do with "molecular electronics" but more immediately we need to prepare a series of cyclobutadiene-cyclopentadienylcobalt complexes with up to 4 different aryl substi- uents on the Cb ring for attachment to "molecular wires", so it is a synthetic issue at present. Another postdoc is working on similar Ni complexes and there will be opportunity for combining this organo-metallic chemistry with chemistry of carboranes and strained organic cages of the staffane and cubane type, and also opportunities to combine it with spectroscopy of various kinds and with electrochemistry. I would be happy to provide additional detail to an interested person. The appointment is for 1 year with possible continuation in case of interest. Please contact: Josef Michl, michl@eefus.colorado.edu> .

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Applications are solicited for post-doctoral appointments(2) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to work on high temperature superconducting materials. Efforts will support development of processes for fabrication of biaxially textured deposited conductors. Candidates with significant experience and knowledge of any of the following are encouraged to respond: oxide superconducting materials, their microstructural and electrical characterization, deposition of thin or thick films of oxides or metals by physical vapor deposition, or by wet chemical processes such as sol-gel or MOD. U.S. citizenship required. Interested persons may respond by contacting: Donald M. Kroeger, Leader, Superconducting Materials Group, Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6116, Tel: 423-574-5155, FAX: 423-574-7659.

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Assistant Professor Nancy S. Goroff of State University of New York - Stony Brook, currently has funding to hire a postdoctoral researcher in her laboratory. Depending on experience, this researcher will work on one of two ongoing projects, described in more detail below. I would like to hire someone who can fill the position as soon as possible, and certainly by this fall. The first project in my group involves low-temperature spectroscopy of small all-carbon molecules made from organic precursors. These studies will allow us to examine the chemistry of carbon, in the absence of other elements, that leads to fullerene formation. For this project, I am looking for someone with experience in spectroscopy of reactive organic species, either at low temperatures or in the gas phase. The second project centers on preparation of well-defined conjugated thiophene oligomers and examination of their structures, aggregation, and properties. These oligothiophenes have attracted our interest both as models of conjugated polymers and as potentially useful materials themselves, with promising applications as components in LED's. For this project, I would like to hire a postdoctoral researcher with experience in synthesis, purification, and characterization of conjugated organic molecules and materials. Please contact: Assistant Professor Nancy S. Goroff, Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, Stony Brook, NY, 11794-3400, Telephone:(516) 632-8356, Fax: (516) 632-7960, e-mail: nancy.goroff@sunysb.edu .

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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 JUNE 7^th, 1999.