ICIS Chemical Business recruitment blog

IChemE awards deadline extended

2010-07-14T10:08:13Z

By Lara Mcnamee

Following on from the previous entry - 'IChemE invites entries for Innovation and Excellence Awards' - IChemE has announced that its 2010 awards entry deadline has been extended until Friday 30 July 2010.

For more information contact Matt Stalker.

IChemE invites entries for Innovation and Excellence Awards

2010-06-17T13:58:19Z

By Lara Mcnamee

IChemE will be holding its Awards for Innovation and Excellence on 4 November in Manchester, UK. The event, now in its 17th year, will mark both individual and team achievement. Included in the awards line up is an award for education and training - sponsored by Cogent.

This award recognizes the individual or team that best demonstrates innovation in training, development of staff or education of a wider community, that changes public perception, develops young people, or addresses a chemical engineering skills gap.

Among the other accolades available is a core chemical engineering award, an engineering project of the year award and the young engineer of the year award.

The deadline for entries is 16 July. For more information contact Matt Stalker.

BASF takes its Kids´ Lab to Hong Kong

2010-06-07T09:44:50Z

By Lara Mcnamee

From 3-9 June 2010, BASF is running its popular Kids' Lab at the Hong Kong Science Museum. The company says that around 700 children aged 6-12 are expected to join in a programme designed to make chemistry fun through meaningful, hands-on experiments.

BASF hopes that through the success of the Kids' Lab programme that it will encourage children to become scientists in the future.

Children will be able to conduct three experiments:

•   "Red Cabbage Indicator"
•   "A Chemical Change"
•   "Making Paper"

BASF says that two of this year's experiments are shown for the first time in Hong Kong, "Red Cabbage Indicator" and "A Chemical Change". Children will be able to learn about a "chemical change" using materials commonly found in the home, and how colour extracted from red cabbage varies with pH values.

Some facts about BASF Kids' Lab

•   BASF Kids' Lab is an interactive chemistry education programme first launched at BASF's headquarters in 1997 in Germany as part of BASF's social responsibility activities.
•   Since its introduction in the Asia Pacific region in 2002, BASF Kids' Lab is currently conducted in 12 countries and regions in Asia Pacific, and has more than 20,000 participants every year.
•   This is the fifth consecutive year of collaboration between BASF and the Science Museum.

Check out BASF's new Facebook page for participants and interested parties to share photos and comments.

Bayer Science & Education Foundation launches scholarship programmes

2010-06-03T13:04:50Z

By Lara Mcnamee

Bayer says that applications for the scholarship programmes of the Bayer Science & Education Foundation can now be submitted. In the academic sector, students can apply for a Bayer, Carl Duisberg or Kurt Hansen scholarship if they are aiming to undertake a study project abroad.

The fields of study funded include biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioprocess engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, medicine, pharmacy, physics, statistics/biometrics and teacher training in scientific subjects.

Each year the Bayer foundation makes available a total of up to €150,000 for these scholarships. Sponsorship is open to students from Germany who are planning a period abroad and students from foreign countries who are looking to spend a period of study in Germany.

For the first time, the scholarships in the academic sector are being supplemented by Hermann Strenger scholarships to support young people looking to gain initial work experience as part of a non-academic training programme.

Applications are invited from trainees in commercial, industrial, scientific and medical occupations and young professionals in these fields who have completed their training within the past two years.

With this new programme, the Bayer Science & Education Foundation is looking to offer targeted funding to young people in the non-academic sector to allow them to gain professional experience abroad. The foundation will this year provide a further €50,000 for this programme.

The closing date for applications for all four scholarship programmes is 15 July 2010. The application documents are available online. An independent scientific committee will decide on the allocation of funding in mid-September 2010.

ExxonMobil Summer Jobs programme in 39th year

2010-06-02T09:03:12Z

By Lara Mcnamee

ExxonMobil is launching the 39th year of its community summer jobs programme, providing interns for 270 non profit agencies across America for eight weeks over the summer.

Students receive a paid internship allowing them to gain hands-on experience in a wide range of community organisations and the agencies benefit from support during the peak summer months. The programme also offers professional development opportunities and encourages non profit service among students viewed as future community leaders.

ExxonMobil says it has provided $16.3m to fund nearly 4,400 internships since the programme was founded in 1971. In 2010, ExxonMobil expects to contribute around $950,000 to fund 320 positions in Alabama, Alaska, California, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia and Wyoming. The programme has also extended to New Jersey for the first time.

Non profit organisations selected for the programme include health, social services, education, arts and emergency assistance. While working with these organisations, interns gain hands-on experience related to their career paths, from social work and volunteer coordination to website management and marketing.

In addition to their internships, students also participate in professional development activities and group service projects in their respective cities. Interns are paid for all time spent in the programme.

For more information about the community summer jobs programme visit www.exxonmobil.com/csjp.

UK chemical engineers' salaries rise 5%

2010-05-26T09:32:03Z

Average salaries for chartered chemical engineers in the UK and Ireland have risen by 5% since 2008, according to IChemE (the Institution of Chemical Engineers).

Results of the IChem 2010 UK and Ireland Salary Survey reveal that the median salary for a chartered chemical engineer is now £60,400, compared with £57,500 in 2008. A chartered chemical engineer aged 30-39 will typically earn around £8,500/y more than a non chartered chemical engineer of the same age.

SABIC funds catalysis research chair

2010-05-24T10:25:32Z

SABIC has presented a cheque for $1m to endow a special chair in polymer catalysis at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).

Dr Abdulrahman Al-Ubaid, SABIC's executive vice-present, technology and innovation, said that the company's quest for excellence in catalysis will be further supported through SABIC grants for post-doctoral fellowships and sponsorship of further research at KAUST.

Croda Europe employee takes Young Achiever accolade at Chemicals Northwest Awards

2010-05-21T10:59:07Z

The great and the good convened last night at a black-tie dinner in Manchester, UK, for the 2010 Chemicals Northwest Awards. The aim? To highlight the efforts of local companies to ensure that the region remains the largest chemical producing area in the country.

Among the nervous nominees were three shortlisted for the new Young Achiever in the North West Chemical Sector category. It was won by Croda Europe's Paul Staniland for his scientific achievements and his role as a lead ambassador for Croda's community projects.

Chemicals Northwest CEO, Jenny Clucas, said: "Again, companies have proven that they are still investing in skills, innovation and sustainable development in order to improve their businesses and that they have not dropped corporate social responsibility activities from their agendas."

Tony Bastock, group managing director Contract Chemicals and Chemicals Northwest chairman, added: "The chemical industry employs more than 50,000 people in the region and it these individuals who are developing business and promoting the chemical industry.

"We are delighted to be able to acknowledge the hard work of people like Paul Staniland and the staff at RS Clare and hope it inspires others to step up to the mark."

Liverpool-based RS Clare & Company scooped the Chemicals Northwest Company of the Year award.
CNW chief executive Jenny Clucas on stage with all nine winners: Paul Goddard (CoEBio3), Tricia Francis (UKTi), Andrew Ritchie (Total Petrochemicals), Paul Staniland (Croda Widnes), Jennifer Hart (Croda Widnes), Simon Wilkinson (Axion Polymers), David Oldham (Innovia Films), Tony Shannon (R S Clare), Chris Goddard (Springfields)

Diary of a scientist - "Odds and Ends"

2010-05-14T14:52:52Z

In his fourth diary entry, Ryan J Murphy, our graduate Rhodia scientist, gives young chemical-industry recruits some practical advice.

Reading back through my posts, I've realized they've read a bit like a press release for Rhodia. I've really shined on the company quite a bit--it's true. Honestly, I have meant what I've written; no one has told me what to write to make things look good. New things can sometimes seem "great" and settle into "good" over time, but this blog is a real time deal and so far the job's been wonderful.

That said, I have started thinking about tid-bits I've left out that might be helpful to those in transition to the chemical industry. If you are coming straight from academia, be prepared for a rather massive jump in bureaucracy. With some aspects, things just take *this* much more time or effort. There are one or two more forms to fill out than you'd be used to.

With other things, there is a ton more of your time taken up. Meetings and meetings and meetings. For the most part, I have not had meetings that were pointless; most have been totally justified, but just know that they will be an increasing part of your day to day work.

Also, your access to journals will drop like a wet rope. By all means, keep your email/password to the library of your academic institution. You may not need to look up many papers, but still...just trust me on this.

Depending whether and where you post doc'd, be ready to deal with important benefit decisions: health insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts, retirement, dental, optional supplemental insurance for vision, etc. If you haven't dealt with this in the past, it's pretty stunning. If you get the "I'm finally fully employed and they already want me to think about when I'm done working??" feeling, it's normal. These things are important. Listen to every word your HR rep utters and ask all the questions you need. That's what they are there for.

Because I'm running out of room, I'll just finish with one funny observation I've had: people really do gather around the coffee machine and/or water cooler and chat about the game, or current news stuff. Had a good laugh at that the first time I saw it.

So, because this has been such a smash hit (wink, nod), I'll continue writing periodically for awhile. If there is anything you'd want to know, or any topic you'd want me to comment on, please feel free to join the conversation. I'm more than happy to take requests. Until next time....

Diary of a scientist - "Hitting a stride"

2010-05-07T15:01:01Z

In this, the third installment, Ryan Murphy, a scientist just starting out on his career with Rhodia shares his first impressions of the chemical industry.

"So all the weeks building up to the COMPASS [Complex Assemblies of Soft Matter] ceremony, and the event itself, were great. As I mentioned previously, about a month before the ceremony, my short- to mid-range technical focus was steered toward energy-related scouting work.

Over the past few weeks I have been working side by side with postdocs and visiting scientists in our group, trying to understand the physics behind our novel materials through mainly atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Even in such a short time, the results we came up with impressed the R&D and business management, which really gives us a full head of steam to press on.

What has also been great is the level of visibility the COMPASS lab has received. In a reasonably short period of time at a new job, I've taken part in numerous meetings with two or three of the top managers within Rhodia R&D to discuss technical feasibility issues, project direction, etc. I have even had the chance to get them excited about some brand new product ideas, most of which are completely off the map for the company.

Overall, I'm really impressed with the upper management of Rhodia. It's clear they perceive the overarching goals of the COMPASS lab as incredibly important and it's refreshing to see a legitimate commitment to understanding the fundamental science behind the technologies of the company.

Although there is always more to learn, I can safely say that working here is no longer mysterious. I get it and it feels good."

(pictured: Ryan Murphy and Rhodia's Larry Hough, COMPASS lab manager, at the COMPASS technical poster session last week.)

• Ryan Murphy joined Rhodia in December 2009 and is a senior scientist at Rhodia's Center for Research and Technology in Bristol, Pennsylvania in the US.

Click here if you missed Ryan's second entry, first entry and introduction.

VIDEO: life as a chemical engineer

2010-05-05T14:04:47Z

Considering a career in the chemical sector? Here are a few videos from IChemE that may provide an insight into life as a chemical engineer...

Diary of a scientist - "The first two months"

2010-04-30T14:21:03Z

In the second installment, Ryan Murphy, a scientist just starting out on his career with Rhodia shares his first impressions of the chemical industry.

"I started working at Rhodia just before Christmas, so the first few weeks were pretty slow. Normally, not being busy bothers me but it was actually really good to have time to learn general things like, how to do I use Outlook Calendar? Where do people eat lunch? And what route to work avoids traffic and takes me past a coffee place?

After the holidays, things really picked up. I started to focus on an energy-related scouting project, and it is exciting to be developing new technologies for the company. Even though the technical arena we are looking into is new to me, I was still able to immediately contribute with the technical and project management side of things, which felt great.

A few notables from my experience so far: First, there is a big difference between academia and industry when it comes to getting up to speed. At Rhodia, I was trained in the company's safety policies and other procedures in the first days. I think when you're hired as a scientist for a company, that company is investing in you and your skills so they want to start seeing returns on that investment as quickly as possible. It's just the nature of the business to get moving right away. It's fast-paced but the experience has actually been a lot of fun.

Second, the day-to-day work experience is quite different than in academia and government research. Working in R&D at Rhodia requires more time in the office, in meetings and project planning. This wasn't a shocker to me, but I bring it up because I think some scientists might consider that a turn-off. I actually think the mix is stimulating. Lab work can be really exciting and rewarding, but at times it can also be unbelievably frustrating and mentally taxing. Personally I think a mixture of technical work and project planning is a perfect balance.

One last thing: It feels really nice to be doing what I love and making decent money for it!

That's my experience to date. I am excited about the next few weeks. Right now everyone at Rhodia is ramping up for the inauguration of the COMPASS lab, which will bring together the upper management from the CNRS, Rhodia North America, Rhodia France and the principal investigators from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as outside guests for a two-day symposium and ceremony. It will be interesting to hear the feedback about the lab's format, projects and future opportunities. Stay tuned..."

• Ryan Murphy joined Rhodia in December 2009 and is a senior scientist at Rhodia's Center for Research and Technology in Bristol, Pennsylvania in the US.

Click here if you missed Ryan's first entry and introduction.

VIDEO: introduction to chemical engineering

2010-04-29T14:46:38Z

Here's the first in a series of videos showing what to expect if you study chemical engineering.

This lecture by professor Channing Robertson is part of an introductory course offered by Stanford University in the US, providing an overview of sector.

Other lectures in the series can be viewed on You Tube.

US University honors former student, SABIC CEO, Al-Mady

2010-04-28T13:42:34Z

The University of Colorado in Boulder, US, honored Mohamed Al-Mady, vice-chairman and CEO of major Saudi producer SABIC at a special dinner for friends and graduates of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

Every year, the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Awards are given to former undergraduates who have distinguished themselves.

During the two-day visit, Al-Mady toured the facilities, met with senior members of the faculty and addressed Saudi studients currently studying there.

ExxonMobil pledges $1m for female engineers

2010-04-27T10:52:42Z

By Lara Mcnamee

ExxonMobil Foundation says it will give a $1m grant to US Spelman College to provide scholarships to black women pursuing technology-related degrees.

The 'Women in Science and Engineering Scholars program' is the second contribution from the company to help facilitate the recruitment, retention and graduation of black females pursuing degrees in chemistry, physics, mathematics and computer science.

"ExxonMobil has had a long-term commitment to science and mathematics education and supports educational initiatives to encourage the next generation of engineering scholars," says president of the ExxonMobil Foundation, Gerald McElvy.

"As our country continues to diversify and grow, our goal is to promote awareness of the many opportunities for those who hold engineering degrees and to provide the skills needed for students to be successful, especially for the underrepresented sector of women engineering professionals," adds McElvy.

For more information on this visit the website.

Photo Credit: Ben Kornegay, courtesy of Spelman College