The Chemistry Department at Trinity University has a limited number of teaching post-doctoral positions, which are patterned after the successful Camille and Henry Dreyfus Scholar/Fellow program. The positions require 25% teaching and 75% research. In the recent past, the teaching component of the position has involved both lecture and laboratory instruction, although the nature of the instructional responsibilities will depend on the needs of the department.

One goal of the program is to give the post-doctoral fellow experience in a predominantly undergraduate institution (PUI) which will enable him/her to determine whether a career at a PUI is an appropriate choice. In addition to enhanced opportunities to develop and document teaching expertise, the post-doctoral fellow is encouraged to attend department meetings and participate in curricular discussions. The post-doc will direct undergraduate research and will have the opportunity in the second year of the position to direct an undergraduate student in his/her own project, which will allow him/her to obtain preliminary results which can be used in a grant proposal. Mentoring opportunities include help with application materials, including the preparation of a research proposal and a teaching statement. In addition, because there are an unusually large number of teaching/research post-doctoral fellows at Trinity University, currently 3 in chemistry and 2 in physics, the university is moving toward a program which capitalizes on this critical mass, with regular meetings to discuss issues of importance in planning for and implementing a career at an undergraduate institution.   All of my post-doctoral research associates who have sought a faculty position have gotten one.

The research project is on the preparation/characterization of antiaromatic hydrocarbon dications (cf. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1994 116, 11622;  J. Org. Chem.1998 63, 3017-3022; J. Org. Chem. 1999, 64, 511-517, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121, 11690-6,  J. Org. Chem., 2002, 2003 -2012 , J. Org. Chem. 2002, 67, 7029-36, and  J. Org. Chem., 2003, 68, 3990-98). Experience in synthesis, low temperature NMR spectroscopy,and electrochemistry is particularly valued, but not required. The position involves 25% teaching/75% research. The department is particularly well-equipped for an undergraduate institution, including in its instrument holdings, Varian INOVA 400 MHz and Varian Mercury 300 MHz NMR spectrometers (new in 2002), two gc/mass spectrometers, three FT-IR spectrometers, four Hitachi uv/vis spectrometers, and a number of Silicon Graphics and Compaq workstations.

Applications should include undergraduate and graduate transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a brief statement of why this position is of value to the applicant.

The position will remain open until filled, but interested candidates are encouraged to apply soon. For further information, please contact Dr. Nancy Mills, nmills@trinity.edu.