21st Annual Faraday Lecture

Chemistry Seminar - 10/3

Join us this Friday, Oct. 3 in Weyandt 240 as four of our undergraduate students present some of their summer research.

Ms. Jessica Nichol will present "Photochromatic Azobenzene Dye Synthesis".
Ms. Elizabeth Paladin will present "Mycobacteriophage Isolation, Characterization, and Bioinformatics"
Mr. Andrew Kerr will present "Summer Lovin' with Uranium"
Ms. Beth Leverett will present"Progress in the Study of Quaternary Diamond-Like Semiconductors"

Seminar begins at 3:30. Light refreshments will be served.

Lab Technician Position at ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Clinton Township, NJ, has an opening for a Research Technician. Candidates applying for the position should have a Masters or Bachelors degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field and possess a strong organic chemistry background.

The Research Technician position is a synthetic organic chemist position involving the chemical synthesis and physical manipulation of small organic molecules, polymers and hydrocarbons (e.g., crude oil and its fractions) which requires a good understanding of basic chemistry and chemical engineering principles and safe handling of chemicals. Responsibilities include conducting synthesis, purification and characterization of organic compounds using modern synthetic methods. Abilities to synthesize, purify and handle air and moisture-sensitive organic compounds under inert atmosphere using Schlenk lines technique and/or to conduct experiments inside nitrogen glove box. Successful candidates will possess strong practical synthetic organic chemistry skills in a standard organic laboratory setting and have some familarity with basic polymer chemistry. Hands-on experience with thin-layer chromatography (TLC), flash chromatography, HPLC, NMR, MS, UV/vis and FTIR spectroscopic techniques is essential for this position. Some fundamental knowledge of organic reaction mechanisms, kinetics and thermodynamics principles is required. Candidates should also possess strong computing skills including knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ChemDraw, data analysis program, online literature and database searching. This position is also required to collect, summarize, analyze, and, in some cases, interpret experimental data under the supervision of senior scientists. Administration of laboratory inventory and supplies is expected. The successful candidate will take full responsibility for maintaining a safe laboratory environment and producing high quality work. Strong analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, along with self-motivation and prompt handling of responsibilities is essential.

ExxonMobil offers an excellent working environment, competitive salary, attractive benefits and an opportunity to join a dynamic organization.

Interested candidates should send an indication of interest to:

Human Resources Recruiting – Research Technician Group MKN
ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
PO Box 998
Annandale, NJ 08801-0998

ExxonMobil is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Chemistry Seminar - 9/26

This week's guest speaker is Ms. Selar Sulaiman from IUP. She will present the talk "Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography of Biopolymers with Diamond as a Stationary Phase".

Please join us in Weyandt 240 on Fri. 9/26 at 3:30pm. Light refreshments will be served.

IUP Chemistry Student Presents Research in Osaka, Japan

Ms. Beth Leverett presented her research findings at the 21st Congress and General Assembly of the International Union of Crystallography in Osaka, Japan August 23-31, 2008. The IUCr was established in 1948 to promote international cooperation in crystallography and it organizes the largest crystallographic conference in the world. Ms. Leverett was one of nearly 300 students to attend and was one of the only attendees from a non-Ph.D.-granting institution. Close to 3,500 crystallographic professionals attended this year’s meeting.

Ms. Leverett's presentation entitled "Twinning in the Adamantine-Like Quaternary Chalcogenide Li₂ZnSnS₄: A Crystallographic Detective Story" was well received and attracted the interest of a number of world-class scientists. This work has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Solid State Chemistry and will be published later this year. This is Ms. Leverett's first scientific publication.

To attend the conference, Ms. Leverett earned a $1,000 Pittsburgh Diffraction Society Travel Bursary Award. She received additional funding from the Robert E. Cook Honors College Enhancement Fund, the Department of Chemistry, the College of Natural Science and Mathematics, and the School of Graduate Studies and Research.

Chemistry Department Picnic

The Chemistry Department will have its annual picnic for faculty, staff, and students of the department on Sept. 5 from 5-8pm at College Lodge. The usual arrangements apply, and a food sign-up sheet can be found in the mail room.

Welcome Back!

On Monday, August 25, the 2008-09 academic year began. We hope that everyone had a restful and enjoyable summer and are recharged for another year.

Welcome back to students, staff, and faculty!

Chemistry Major Department Orientation

We welcome all chemistry majors (BS, BA, CHEM-ED) to stop by the department orientation session at 4pm on Sunday, August 24 in Weyandt 240. Dr. Woolcock and other faculty will be on hand to provide information about the department, classes, and professional and social opportunities as related to chemistry.

Temporary Teaching Position Available

The department is accepting applications for a temporary, non-tenure track faculty member for the 2008-09 academic year.

For complete details, please see http://www.iup.edu/page.aspx?id=43611.

Best Wishes

The department gives its best wishes of luck and success to Dr. Heba Abourahma as she begins this Fall at The College of New Jersey in their chemistry department.

A farewell luncheon was held in May by the department at Benjamin's restaurant.