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.

ACS Club Receives 2006-07 Honorable Mention

The Student Affiliate American Chemical Society of IUP (aka the ACS Club) was recognized by the National American Chemical Society for its performance and contributions during the 2006-07 academic year. The chapter was awarded the Honorable Mention Chapter Award. This is the first national award that the chapter has received.

At the end of each academic year, the club's officers submit a written report to the national organization and are evaluated on several criteria by faculty advisor volunteers from across the country. Example criteria include active members, local activities, money raised and donated, and participation in local, regional, and national meetings.

The 2006-07 Club Officers were:

• Mr. Joe Zewe, President
• Ms. Sara Krull, Vice-President
• Ms. Kaycie Butler, Secretary
• Ms. Elizabeth Paladin, Treasurer

With this award came many constructive ideas for improvement so that the chapter may improve to Commendable or the top recognition, Outstanding Chapter. The report for the 2007-08 academic year will be submitted this month.

Congratulations to the Class of 2008!!

On Saturday, May 10, the chemistry department held its own graduation ceremony in 208 Weyandt Hall. Both undergraduate and graduate students who've completed their respective degrees, their families and friends, and department faculty met at 8:45 for a small program to recognize these students and their achievements.

The faculty, staff, and students of the IUP chemistry department would like to congratulate the following students and wish them well in their future endeavors:

Bachelor of Science:

• Ms. Amanda Davis (Dec. '07)
• Mr. Cassidy McCurdy
• Ms. Nicole Morozowich

Bachelor of Arts:

• Ms. Jane Calvert
• Mr. John Crandall

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education:

• Ms. Amanda Davis (Dec. '07)
• Mr. Michael Deible
• Ms. Catherine McCue (Dec. '07)
• Ms. Amy Trexler
• Ms. Carly Yonish (Dec. '07)

Master of Science:

• Mr. Einstein Djabeng (Aug. '08)
• Mr. Jeff Rupert (Aug. '08)
• Mr. Sean Smith
• Ms. Dongmei Zhang

Dr. John Woolcock opened the ceremony with some general remarks, followed by a commencement speech in which he read "Oh, The Places You'll Go!" by Dr. Seuss. Afterwards, he presented each of the graduates present with a diploma holder and read highlights of their achievements and future plans. During each presentation, a slide was shown with each graduate's picture and biography; this show was created by Dr. Lourdes Herold.

After each student was recognized, a 5-minute long slide show (by Dr. Herold) accompanied by music was presented to the audience. It included a montage of the graduates, their colleagues, faculty & staff, and scenes of Weyandt and chemistry activities during the past few years.

Following the ceremony, families and friends gathered for photographs and refreshments before heading to the university's graduation ceremony in Miller Stadium.

In a similar ceremony in Keith Hall, the following graduates of the Biochemistry program were also recognized:

Bachelor of Science:

• Ms. Brittany Baird
• Mr. Robert Bauer
• Ms. Kaycie Butler
• Mr. Tony Scatena