Graduate Students & Postdoc Events for 252nd ACS National Meeting in Philadelphia

In just a few short weeks, the 252nd ACS National Meeting will come to Philadelphia, giving attendees the chance to partake in a multitude of enrichment opportunities including workshops, symposia and networking events. To alleviate the burden of picking from the diverse range of events, the following day-by-day summaries highlight some of the opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

Sunday, August 21st

Career Workshops - New Technologies
10:00–11:30 AM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 202A


Career Workshops - Foreign National Scientists Obtaining a Job in the US
1:30–4:00 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 202A


Graduate Student & Postdoctoral Symposium
1:30–4:40 PM (Repeated: 8/22 1:30–4:40 PM, 8/23 1:45–4:25 PM, 8/25 9:00 AM–12:25 PM)
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 103B
Watch presentations on current biological chemistry research from graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
Sponsored by BIOL


ChemIDP Workshop: Planning for Your Career
2:00–4:00 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 111A
Map out a plan for your career and use ACS’s new career development tool!
To attend please register at https://fs6.formsite.com/ACSGraded8/form53/index.html
Free refreshments!


Career Workshops - Writing Excellent Proposals
3:30–6:00 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 202A


Faculty & Postdoc Afternoon Networking Coffee Break
4:00–6:00 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 113B
Get the scoop on the faculty application process from a diverse faculty panel.
Free refreshments!

Monday, August 22nd

Beyond the Bench
10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 201B
A series of presentations: Careers in Intellectual Property, Careers in university technology transfer, Careers in patent law, and Navigating the path from graduate school to a career in patent law, with a panel discussion directly after.
Sponsored by CHAL


Student Speed Networking with Chemistry Professionals
4:15–5:45 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Hall G
Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your chances of strengthening your skills and increasing your network!
Refreshments provided.


Graduate & Postdoctoral Scholars Reception
7:00–8:30 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Ballroom A
Network with fellow graduate students and postdocs, as well as ACS Divisions, YCC representatives, and ACS staff!
Free food, drinks, and prizes!


AEI: Academic Employment Initiative
8:00–10:00 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Halls D/E
See graduate students and postdoctoral scholars showcase their teaching and research goals in a poster session.


Tuesday, August 23rd

Graduate course in professional science communication
8:35–9:05 AM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 204A
This course examines journalistic writing, technical writing, oral presentation, and public relations.
Sponsored by CHED


Global Careers in Chemistry
2:00–5:55 PM
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Franklin 7
This presentation series looks at the pathway to having a global career in chemistry, spanning from work visas to obtaining a job and reflections from scientists who’ve experienced working internationally.
Sponsored by YCC


Chemistry careers and green chemistry
4:15–4:45 PM
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon III/IV
This session explores the implementation of green chemistry concepts in science-led organizations, as well as career opportunities.
Sponsored by I&EC


Wednesday, August 24th

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program for chemistry and chemical engineering students
6:00–8:00 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Hall D
The fellowship program supports students in the chemical sciences with a three-year annual stipend and cost of education allowance, as well as research opportunities and professional development.
Sponsored by PHYS


The list of events above are highlights of what you can expect at the 252nd ACS National Meeting. Please note that for some of the events above you may need to register to attend. A complete schedule of other graduate and postdoctoral programs, a list of career workshops, registration information, places to eat, and activities in Philly, will be available through the Graduate & Postdoctoral Scholars National Meeting Guide. Did we miss any events that you think should be highlighted? Contact us at GradEd@acs.org

Locations are subject to change. Please check the final ACS Meeting Program app for times and locations.

Highlighted Opportunities Specifically for International Postdocs and Graduate Students at the ACS National Meeting in Philly

The 252nd ACS National Meeting will also host many events directed toward international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. See below for a list of workshops, symposia and social events…

Sunday, August 21st

Foreign-National Scientist Obtaining a Job in the U.S.
1:30–3:00 PM
Career Fair
This session is designed for international chemical professionals seeking a career in the US, whether in academia, industry, or government.

Building International Communities
4:30–6:30 PM
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Independence I/II
See how the role of science diplomacy can be used as a tool for deescalating global conflict.
Sponsored by PRES

International Welcome Reception
5:30–7:30 PM
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom Salon E/F

Monday, August 22nd

The process of getting a work visa or green card can be difficult. Attend this workshop if you are an international graduate student or postdoctoral scholar who wants to learn information about green cards for scientific researchers. Brian Getson, 1995 UPenn School of Law graduate and U.S. immigration lawyer, will delve into the process of acquiring green cards for foreign researchers. The workshop will include a presentation and Q&A session.

Green Cards for Scientific Researchers: How to Apply for and Win Your EB-1/NIW Case!
9:30 AM–12:00 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 304

Leading US immigration lawyer, Brian Getson, 1995 UPenn School of Law graduate, will explain how foreign researchers can apply for green cards in the US. Mr. Getson has represented scientific researchers around the world for 20 years and provides a money back guarantee to most qualified applicants. At this workshop, Mr. Getson will give a one hour presentation and hold a Q&A session. In addition, Mr. Getson and other lawyers from his law firm will be providing free consultations at Booth 820 throughout the conference and a lightning talk for international job seekers at the Career Fair on Tuesday, August 23, at 10:00 AM. Getson & Schatz, P.C.

Tuesday, August 23rd

International Student Symposium
1:00–4:25 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 110A
A symposium exhibiting the research of international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
Sponsored by AGFD

Journey across the Atlantic: From an international student to an industrial chemist
3:55–4:15 PM
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Franklin 7
Using examples from her tenure as an international graduate student and postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Haase will share key advice, skills and experiences that were integral in preparing her for a career in academia and now, industry.
Sponsored by YCC

International career opportunity for US and German chemists through research in Germany
4:35–5:05 PM
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Franklin 7
This talk will feature resources available through Research in Germany and its partners and how to find international research opportunities in Germany.
Sponsored by YCC

International presence in the Younger Chemists Committee: Building networks & cultivating opportunities
5:05–5:25 PM
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Franklin 7
The International Presence (IP) working group of the Younger Chemist Committee (YCC) has taken strides to advance the international networking opportunities for graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and early career chemists.
Sponsored by YCC

Thursday, August 25th

International Student Symposium
8:00–11:00 AM, 1:00–3:35 PM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 110A
A symposium exhibiting the research of international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.
Sponsored by AGFD

A schedule of other graduate and postdoctoral programs, a list of career workshops, registration information, places to eat, and activities in Philly, will be available through the Graduate & Postdoctoral Scholars National Meeting Guide.

Another Fall Opportunity for recent Ph.Ds- Due November 1!

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS): Science and Technology Policy Fellowships

AAAS seeks candidates from a broad array of backgrounds and a diversity of geographic, disciplinary, gender, and ethnic perspectives, as well as those with disability status. Fellows have ranged in age from late 20s to early 70s. They represent a spectrum of career stages, from recent Ph.D. graduates to faculty on sabbatical to retired scientists and engineers. Fellows also come from a range of settings, including academia, industry, nonprofit organizations, and government labs.

New application deadline: November 1, 2014

Some Fall Opportunities for Grads and Postdocs

1.  ACS Program-in-a-Box
   ACS Webinars announces its fifth “Program-in-a-Box,” an entire program and materials inside, you guessed it, a box!  This is a simple and cost-effective way to reach younger members, raise visibility of ACS to new students, provide a valuable local networking opportunity, and energize your local section/chapter volunteers.  ACS Webinars conducts the program and provides the material and in exchange for an end-to-end event, volunteers invite attendees, distribute provided materials and host the program. Join other groups of students and volunteers in a learning experience. Through the interactivity of the webinar format, comments are exchanged from around the world.  And this year’s fall event “Speaking Simply - Communicating Your Science,” will kick start students with new skills helping them prepare for presentations, networking, interviewing, and more. Register today to participate at http://acswebinars.org/pib
   
2. National Science Foundation: Graduate Research Fellowship Program
   The National Science Foundation (NSF) is offering their 2015 Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) to provide support for graduate students in NSF-supported disciplines. 2,000 fellowship offers were made last year for this program, and application is open to all masters and doctoral degree students enrolled U.S. academic institutions who are involved in relevant research programs. Application Deadlines: occur between October 29 and November 3, 2014. Please check for the deadline for any award that is of interest to you.
   
3. ACS Younger Chemist Committee (YCC) Leadership Development Award Each year, the YCC organizes a Leadership Development Workshop that is geared toward younger chemists and held in conjunction with the ACS Annual Leaders’ Conference as part of the ACS Leadership Development system. The Leadership Development Workshop is designed to help young chemists develop into highly skilled leaders in the Society and in their chosen profession. The award covers the registration fee, transportation, lodging, and meals associated with attending the Young Chemist Leadership Development Workshop. Applications for the award will be accepted between August 1 and November 1. All application material must be received by November 1 for consideration.
   
4. ACS Harry Gray Award for Creative Work in Inorganic Chemistry by a Young Investigator: To recognize creative and impactful work by a young investigator in a forefront area of inorganic chemistry, broadly defined.The award consists of $5,000 and a certificate. Up to $2,500 for travel expenses to the meeting at which the award will be presented will be reimbursed. The award will be granted to an individual who has had less than ten years of experience since her or his terminal degree. The nominee must have demonstrated innovative research in inorganic chemistry (broadly defined), which may include interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary work. Special consideration will be given to the creativity and the actual or potential impact of the research. The award will be granted regardless of race, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, presence of disabilities, and educational background. Deadline: November 1 (biennial review)

UCLA OCDC

The CHEMIST Podcast: Organization for Cultural Diversity in Chemistry at UCLA Diversity in Chemistry Speakers: Steve Lopez OCDC Co-President UCLA Crystal Valdez OCDC Co-President UCLA Co-hosts: Corrie Kuniyoshi and Loren White Presented by ACS Graduate & Postdoctoral Scholars Office (please use Firefox or Google Crome as your browser to listen to the podcast) In an effort to better get to know the various Chemistry Graduate Student Organizations (CGSO) that exist in universities around the country, we recently asked officers of such groups to send us information on their activities and histories. Our hope is that the information shared on these podcasts will succeed in inspiring some of the listeners to join their local group, get ideas on how to improve their existing CGSO, or receive information that can help serve as a guide for those wishing begin their own CGSO. Our first such conversation, and the subject of this podcast, is UCLA's CGSO, named the Organization for Cultural Diversity in Chemisty (OCDC). OCDC - note: not all members are present in photo See the special feature for the UCLA Organization for Cultural Diversity in Chemistry group in the Chemist.

ACS Science Coaches

The CHEMIST Podcast: ACS Science Coaches Help a teacher. Inspire a student.  Speakers: Patricia Galvan ACS Science Coaches Manager Stephanie Prosack ACS Science Coaches Associate Co-hosts: Loren White and Corrie Kuniyoshi Presented by ACS Graduate & Postdoctoral Scholars Office (please use Firefox or Google Chrome as your browser to listen to this podcast) See the ad and learn more about Science Coaches from one chemistry graduate student's personal experience in the Graduate & Postdoctoral Chemist Magazine

Graduate Students & Postdoc Events for 248th ACS National Meeting in San Francisco

With ACS’s Fall National Meeting right around the corner, those attending will be starting, if they haven’t already, to map out a rough itinerary for what events they want to attend. With so many great symposiums, workshops, and networking events, it can be a difficult task deciding which are the most pertinent to your aims and interests.  With this in mind, we wanted to create this short blog post offering you highlights of events happening in San Francisco.

August 10, Sunday

To start off, on Sunday evening there will be a “Journey to the Dork Side” show where you can enjoy the comedy stylings of Dr. Pete Ludovice. This will be held 7:00-8:00 PM in Moscone Center, Esplanade 305. If you are a graduate student, you should have received a ticket for this event in your registration packet.

August 11, Monday

There will be three really great events being offered on Monday. The first is the 10th Annual Fun Run, sponsored by the ACS Younger Chemists Committee (YCC) and ACS Member Insurance that will take place at 7:00 AM. Those interested should register, purchase tickets ($35 for regular ticket and $20 for students), and pick up their materials from the Fun Run desk, located in the Moscone Center North Lobby on Saturday, August 9th and Sunday, August 10th, between the hours of 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

The over event is entitled “Opportunities for International Careers and Studies” and will be held at the Moscone Center in Room 135 between 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM. This event will provide attendees the chance to meet professionals from international embassies and consulates, as well as private funding organizations, who will explain how international experience (internships, scholarships, or exchanges) can benefit your future academic and professional endeavors. This event is being organized by the ACS Office of International Activities.

The last event on Monday the 11^th is the “ACS Graduate & Postdoctoral Scholars Reception.”  The reception will run from 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM and will also be located at the Moscone Center in Room 135. It will provide excellent opportunity to network with graduate students and postdocs, as well as ACS Division, YCC and Evonik representatives! If that wasn’t enough incentive to attend, the reception will have free food and drinks (including beer and wine), with a number of prizes (including an iPad or two) being handing out to some lucky winners. This event is co-sponsored by ACS Divisions, Young Chemists Committee (YCC) and Evonik Industries.

August 12, Tuesday

On Tuesday, between the times of 8:30 – 11:35 AM and 1:30 – 4:40 PM ACS’s Division of Chemical Education is sponsoring the Fall 2014 Graduate Student Symposium Planning Committee (GSSPC) Symposium at the Moscone Center in Ballroom 304. This symposium is titled “International Collaborations with International Impact: Chemistry for Global Change” and will feature a group of graduate students from the University of Washington. In this symposium the presenters will be spotlighting international research collaboration and the impact it has on global philanthropic chemistry efforts

August 13, Wednesday

CHED is also sponsoring the “Perspectives on Graduate Education in the Chemical Sciences” symposium Wednesday, August 13. This symposium will highlight results from the 2013 ACS Graduate Student Survey wherein graduate students from over 260 universities provided feedback on their graduate programs. In addition, speakers will discuss using individual development plans, research centers, chemical information literacy, and blog writing to enrich the graduate student experience. The event will be located at the Moscone Center in the Esplanade Ballroom 304 and will take place between 1:30 – 4:45 PM.

In addition to the one day only events, between Sunday and Wednesday, August 10-13, the Career Pathways Workshop series is being held at the Parc 55 hotel. Over the course of these four days there will be over 20 different workshops offered. These will include workshops such as “Finding Your Path”, “Working in Government”, “Acing the Interview”, “Working in Higher Education”, and ”Working in Industry.” To view a complete list of these professional development workshops being offered, please visit the Career Pathways Workshop website.

We Look Forward to Seeing You!

As always, there will be a variety of excellent events being offered at ACS’s National Meeting. These events are so numerous that it is not possible to give an exhaustive accounting of them here. So if you would like to get more information on the National Meeting and its various events, please check out the ACS Graduate & Postdoctoral Chemist which will contain a comprehensive meeting guide for grad students and postdocs.

By Loren White

Don’t Miss These Events at the 247th ACS National Meeting

Howdy! The 247^th ACS National Meeting is well on its way, with an opening date on Sunday, March 16. We get it, you are going to be busy in Dallas meeting with peers, presenting research, and hearing discussions at symposia. Here are some additional, informative and fun events you can add to your schedule, if you like.

                  1. Graduate & Postdoctoral Scholars Reception

            Monday, March 17, 7:00-8:30 PM

            Dallas Convention Center, C2

Now a staple event at ACS National Meetings, this reception will allow you to speak with peers, network with experienced chemists, and form professional bonds to help you excel throughout your career. There will be tables of free nibbles, drinks, (including alcohol). Did I mention you will be entered to win a brand new iPad?!

                  2. Alternative Career Symposium

Tuesday, March 18, 9:00-11:35 AM

Dallas Convention Center, C156

As a result of your many moons spent in the lab, you may be looking for ways to apply your chemistry background to a career other than the stereotypical professions. Join key speakers and professionals who did just that, chose a job that was nontraditional to the chemistry field, to hear their advice, stories and even ask questions based on your personal ideas.

            3. GSSPC Symposium

Tuesday, March 18, 9:30-12:20PM, 2:00-5:00PM

Hyatt Regency, Reunion Ballroom E

Support fellow graduate students by stopping by the spring 2014 Graduate Student Symposium Planning Committee (GSSPC) event. The University of Texas at Austin is organizing the symposium at the ACS National Meeting in Dallas. Their event, Elements in Transition: Is Chemistry Facing Revolution or Recession, focuses on the ways chemistry is adapting for the future.

                  4. Career Pathways Workshops

Sunday-Wednesday, March 16-19

Omni Hotel, Art District 5-7 and Greenville Avenue

These workshops are designed to guide and help you through every spectrum of your career trajectory. Some workshops are general and help participants to highlight their strengths and aspirations. Others highlight specific career details, for example, providing a guide to write killer proposals. The most popular workshops focus on working in industry, government, and industry, and interview advice.

By Stephanie C. Prosack

Participants Share Tips for AEI Success

by Stephanie Prosack

Even the most successful new faculty members could have improved on the steps they took to obtain their dream jobs in academia. We found the best advice and tips from former participants in the Academic Employment Initiative (AEI)—a program that allows faculty candidates to network with university recruiters—so you can make the most of your next poster session. From preparation to networking, these tips will make you a star at your next academic presentation.

Be Your Own Investigator

You may perform chemistry research for hours during your day job, but remember, research pays in the job search as well! The top piece of advice from past AEI participants was to investigate relevant information prior to the AEI event. Gather the details important to you about institution type and job criteria, and then see which schools offer the same. “I used AEI as an opportunity to find out if the school was a good fit for me before I invested a lot of time in the application process,” says Lenny Demoranville, an AEI 2013 participant who is now a visiting assistant professor of chemistry at Centre College. Another way to investigate the potential recruiter pool is to remain active in online social media forums, such as the LinkedIn AEI Group. After seeing who some of the recruiters would be at the poster session, Demoranville performed homework on his flagged schools. “I also had individualized questions for the schools that I was really interested in. These questions were both important to my decision on whether to apply or not, and showed that I was really interested in teaching there.”

Make Your CV and Poster Pop

After you consider your goals for the poster session, crafting CVs and posters to clearly reflect your interests will help to make the AEI more purposeful. Saliently display details including your background, research, and career aspirations. However, do be mindful of the amount of content; the easier it is for recruiters to read your poster the better! Demoranville, interested in primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs), created his poster by choosing “to submit an abstract that highlighted an interesting lab activity I had developed,” he says.

Katie Walker, a fellow 2013 participant, prepared her poster by doing extra leg work. First, she reached out to a past AEI poster session participant to gather ideas about how to best make her own poster sparkle. Then, Walker highlighted her positive attributes in a way that confidently represented what she could bring and add to an institution.

The poster acts as a great visual for a recruiter, and it allows you as a faculty candidate to make a first impression, in person, with representatives of institutions currently hiring new, fresh faculty members. In addition to presenting an organized and distinctive poster, keeping a stack of crisp CVs available (for both the recruiters you speak with and those you don’t) can also make the AEI more of a success. Not only will your background be displayed in a tangible form on the poster, but CVs will also give recruiters contact information to take with them so they can interact with you at some later date at their discretion.

Network

Throughout the AEI poster session, interactions with a variety of people—colleagues, fellow presenters, and recruiters alike—and genuine communication after the poster session can work in your favor.

Business cards can aid networking in a big way. It is not only important to make sure to collect business cards from recruiters; in addition, handing out personalized cards of your own allows chemists interested in your capabilities to connect with you later. In addition to serving as memory prompts, cards can prove useful if you are unable to speak with someone on the spot.

Keep networking after the event. Following the 2013 poster session, participant Judy Jenkins made time to meet and follow up with interested recruiters. Jenkins remembers, “Plan so you can be available after the poster session for informal meetings. I went to dinner with one recruiter following the poster session and I visited with a recruiter the following day as well.”

Of course, participation and communicating with recruiters during the AEI does not guarantee a faculty position, or even an invitation to interview. It does, however, allow you to demonstrate your qualities, establish connections with fellow chemists, and learn about specific details presently valued by institution representatives.