Graduate Research Assistant position available in USA

One Ph.D. Research Assistantship and full tuition waiver is available in Chemical Engineering Department at Lamar University and starts from January 2011.

The assistantship lasts finishing his/her Ph.D. program with a maximum of four years. The candidate will mainly conduct research related to his/her dissertation work on the advanced materials, polymer, polymer nanocomposites, environmental sustainability, energy harvesting/conversion, nanodevices, etc� areas. 

Requirement:
� GRE ) and TOEFL(for international only are required for admission and financial support.

� With a bachelor degree from Chemical Engineering or others
� A master degree is a plus but can be ignored if the candidate has solid record in experimental research.
� Having Electrodepostion knowledge will be a plus
� Has motivation to collaborate with Professors, Students, and people with different backgrounds.

Interested candidates should send resume, copies of GRE or TOEFL (international only), personal statement, contacts of three referees, and copies of transcript(s) preferably as soon as possible via e-mail to: Dr. John Zhanhu Guo:

Dr. John Zhanhu Guo
Assistant Professor
Integrated Composites Laboratory(ICL)
Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical Engineering
Lamar University
Beaumont, Texas 77710, USA
Homepage: http://dept.lamar.edu/zhanhu/icl/

zhanhu.guo@lamar.edu

Lamar University (www.lamar.edu) is located in Beaumont, Texas, close to many global petrochemical companies and more than one-hour driving to Houston.

POSTDOCTORAL POSITION: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY

A position is available in the Biosciences and Biotechnology Division of the Physical and Life Sciences Directorate at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to carry out research on the scanning probe microscopy and nanometer-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry studies of structure, assembly and function of viral systems. A Ph.D. degree in life sciences, chemistry or physics, and experience in scanning probe microscopy are required. Experience in mass spectrometry techniques and biological experiments are highly desirable. The successful candidate will work as an integral member of a group with expertise in scanning probe microscopy, mass spectrometry, structural virology, and immunology. Thus, experience working in multidisciplinary teams and demonstrated ability for scientific accomplishment with minimal direct guidance is desirable. Salary scale: from low- to mid-$70K depending on qualification and experience. LLNL is an equal opportunity employer.

Interested candidates should submit a CV, publication list, names and addresses of three references to
 Dr. Alexander J. Malkin (malkin1(a)llnl.gov).

PhD position: Electromechanical coupling in collagen

Funding is available for up to 4 years and includes a stipend of €15k per annum, plus EU registration fees. Location: UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, Dublin, Ireland Qualification: Candidates should have or expect to obtain a first or upper second BSc (or equivalent) or MSc in Physics, Materials Science, Biology, or other relevant area.

Funding is restricted to EU applicants only. Contact Details: Highly motivated individuals with an interest in probing
the physics of biological surfaces at the nanoscale should send a letter outlining why they are suitable for the
post, along with a current CV including the contact details of two academic referees by email to:

Dr. Brian Rodriguez 
Lecturer in Nanoscience Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research
University College Dublin,
Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
brian.rodriguez@ucd.ie
http://www.nanofunction.org
Deadline: July 30, 2010

Collagen plays a key role in the correct formation of many tissues. The piezoelectric properties of collagen have been only recently measurable on the molecular, fibrillar, and tissue levels due to advances in scanning probe
microscopy. Understanding the mechanism of piezoelectricity in collagenous matrices will address if piezoelectricity in collagen is responsible for the correct formation of tissues, thus providing key insights into exploiting the piezoelectric effect in collagen-based biomaterials for regenerative medicine and biomedical
applications. The project will allow the role of electromechanical coupling in biological materials to be established.

This interdisciplinary project will provide training in advanced ambient and liquid, structural and functional imaging using an atomic force microscope (AFM) and in biological sample preparation. The successful applicant will be involved in the further development of advanced scanning probe techniques and is expected to develop and publish their work and to present their work at national and international conferences. He/She will have access to state of the art AFMs, and will be expected to work closely with the Nanoscale Function Group of Prof. Suzi Jarvis. Travel opportunities to interact with collaborating researchers and industrial partners are also envisaged.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NON-TENURE TRACK LECTURER POSITION IN CHEMISTRY

The Department of Chemistry in the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at the University of Southern California has an immediate opening for a non-tenure track faculty lecturer to start in the Fall semester of 2010.

We are seeking a lecturer capable of teaching general, organic and analytical chemistry at the undergraduate level. A PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Education, and previous teaching experience are required. Experience in the fields of nanochemistry or chemical biology is particularly welcomed.

Salary and benefits are competitive. Candidates should submit their applications online at http://chem.usc.edu/lecturersearch with a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a summary of teaching experience and a brief statement of teaching philosophy. The names and addresses of three individuals who will provide letters of recommendation will be requested online.

Applications will be evaluated as they are received and until the position is filled. USC strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment. Women and men, and members of all racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.

Fill in an Online application at: https://michele.usc.edu/lecturersearch/index.php?position=3

Reviewing Manuscript: Anonymous authors and anonymous reviewers?

In the month of May, 2010 I peer reviewed two research manuscripts. First manuscript was for "Environmental Pollution" Journal and the second one was for "Electrophoresis" Journal. The first manuscript was related to the measurement of "Bisphenol A (BPA)" in the aerosol particles collected from around the globe. BPA has been studied extensively in water and other media but there are few studies in atmosphere. So, the manuscript was the one of the few stidues on BPA in aerosol particles. Second manuscript for Electrophoresis had reported the pre-concentration of mini Y STR genotyping using capillary electrophoresis in micro-devises by using sample stacking method which is caused by the difference between the ionic strength. 

I tried my best to give biasness reviews and comments to both of the manuscripts. In both of them name of the authors and their address were provided. The most common mode of peer reviewing in chemistry related field is that reviewers remain anonymous to the authors. The main idea on anonymous reviewer is that (s)he can identify and flaws in the manuscript without confrontation or enmity from authors. But it comes with obligations of the reviewer to write in an objective and respectful manner. Now there have been concerns raised to not to have authors identity on the manuscript so that reviewer has no idea about the author. Also, there are arguments against and for this issue. Some people argue even for not anonymous reviewer. But my feeling after reviewing two manuscript is that we get some kind of pre-occupied opinion which may influence our judgement. So, my point is anonymous authors and anonymous reviewers.

What do you have to say?

NepaChem Talk with Dr. Rabindra Dhakal

After spending successful years in Japan as PhD student and then later as a scientist Dr. Rabindra Dhakal has decided to settle in Nepal. He is also an example of successful Nepalese Chemists around the world. All developing countries are facing one common problem in terms of skilled manpowers. Such manpowers and students tend to go to developed countries and when necessary these countries suffer from Scientists, Engineers etc. Nepal is in same situation. Because of political instability no-one wants to or plans to go back to Nepal. Dr. Dhakal is one of the very few who has decided to settle and work in Nepal. We have talked to him in this circumstances and about the future of chemistry education and research in Nepal.

In an effort to recognize Nepalese Scientists around the globe NepaChem has initiated to put their experiences and thoughts by which we hope will benefit Science and science students in Nepal. This time NepaChem presents talk between NepaChem and Dr. Dhakal.

1.   NepaChem: What is your plan in Nepal after you returned from Japan?

As I have diverse experiences on different field of Chemistry, I am duly interested to disseminate the knowledge to the youngsters of this country as a university teacher. Besides this, I am planning to explore candidate biofuel crops to find out the sustainable crops in the country to mitigate the energy crisis of the country. I am sure, my single effort would not be enough and we need a group to work in this direction so that those who don’t have better exposure to the education in a par to developed countries may learn more from us and can work collectively. So, I am planning to make a platform of equal minded people from our surrounding to achieve this goal.

2.  NepaChem: Can you tell little bit about your background?

It’s like a stream coming out from mountain and still flowing somewhere in its lap. I respect every part of my life whether I do have enough hardship in my life that eventually brings me to this level. In fact, the life was and is in complete struggle to the surrounding, and I am still enjoying it. Concretely speaking, I was born in a beautiful village of Gorkha and grown up there with education in government schools upto SLC. After completion of high school, I have joined ASCOL in biological stream whereby I have completed my Intermediate and Bachelor Level study. Subsequently, I have completed my Masters Degree in Organic Chemistry and started teaching in Central Department of Chemistry, Central Campus of TU. This position offers me the best platform to be selected as an UNESCO Research Fellow in advance Chemistry and Chemical Engineering in Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan. Considering the available option at that moment, I had moved to Chemical Engineering field to do my PhD working on processing of biopolymers for waste management. I am continuously working in the same field as a Postdoc Researcher and JSPS Research fellow in Japan.

3.   NepaChem: Many people in Nepal tend to go abroad these days. But, you decided to settle in Nepal. What made you to take this decision?

I totally agree with you, our educational system is to drive our student away from the country rather than making a dam to use their potential expertise in the behest of the country. We haven’t taught our student about our resources and their application for the betterment of the country. Frankly speaking, we were taught and are still teaching mostly fundamental part of every subject in each and every discipline so that we became Jack in all but Master in non type man power. In this junction, someone should take something bold decision to take a initiative to make the reverse flow so that its resources could be understood and can be worked out for its proper utilization. When I saw some documentary of our people in foreign soil, they use to laugh on ignorance of our brothers and sisters that really touched me to do so. Living abroad always made us second tiered citizen of the country where we stayed that obviously dilute the social bond and responsibilities. By, considering this point, I have taken this bold decision.

4.  NepaChem: How difficult was to take that decision?

It was really hard when it comes to family matter. In addition, the faculty with whom I have worked for long period was surprised by hearing my decision and asked me several times are you firmed with your decision. I have exposed not only with Chemistry lab but with their aspiration, culture, development trend and working habit that was always pressing me to bring it to home in the earliest. Hence, with some degree of sacrifice, I came back home convincing my surrounding as much as possible to do something for the nation if possible.

5.  NepaChem: Situation in Nepal has not improved yet. Everyone is saying they are waiting for favorable condition to go back to our home country. What do you have to say?

As I have already said, the all rounder people cannot lead the country go ahead, its not their fault, some of them are genuinely working for the betterment but they couldn’t. In this junction there should be existence of pressure group who should be enough intelligent to take the ball in their fold and lead them. I believe that if we are waiting the platform watching from the distance may not be materialize in any near future, at least I can’t see it. So, those who are really interested to come back home, request you to do so and give solidarity of the similar minded man power and lead the nation, otherwise we would be so late in the race of development with other country. This is very high time to do so as the iron is hot now and hot hit iron can be molded in our choice, otherwise the rises aspiration of people making new Nepal would be cooled down, and finally, it will never be materialized again.

6.   NepaChem: As a chemist, how do you see the present and future of chemistry in Nepal?

We were taught by Nepal is full of resources, green forest is wealth of Nepal, and isolated from the ocean but connected by the rivers` arteries. But for sure, we haven’t made a single effort to use it for our betterment. Similarly, we are learning Debye Huckels rule, Schrodinger`s equations and many more from the chemistry book, but never tried and tested in our country whether they are useful for our country or not. Chemistry is vivid subject that could be easily reachable to commoner, had we work bit hard on it. To make the nation, we have to go ahead to apply these knowledge and experts we currently have so that our resources would properly utilized in benign and sustainable way. Obviously, Materials have a great role in nation building effort, and so the chemistry as it is obviously under the umbrella of Chemistry. But the problem is the curriculum we have developed in chemistry, as said before is more fundamental type. Now, time has come to move ahead promulgating new department such as Applied Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Materials Science that may address such problems. We need to go ahead for agro-based processing industries with recycling of agricultural wastes and pharmaceutical R&D plants to make the process sustainable and the country prosperous. If we do so, we have great future in the country.

7.  NepaChem: What do you suggest to those who are in abroad and want to go to Nepal?

As I have already said, this is very high time to come back home to hit the hot iron and build the nation, please do so. But, at the same time we still need someone to stay out and updated with outer world, but need them attached to the country so that both you and your nation will be benefitted. Frankly speaking, I am not in a position to invite all my colleagues and friends to come home quitting your job abroad, but can request you consider these options to make our needy citizens be happy and not keep them lagging far behind to the outer world. We can help the country from anywhere in the world, but we need to be physically and emotionally attached with this beautiful country.  Finally, I thank you giving me this opportunity to speak as a returnee.