Thursday, January 17, 2013

Daily Pump Trap: 1/17/13 edition

Good morning! Between January 15 and January 16, there were 29 new positions posted on the C&EN Jobs website. Of these, 6 (21%) were academically connected and 20 (69%) were from Kelly Scientific Resources. 

Richmond, VA: Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories is looking for a mass spectrometry postdoc. Here is the job description:
Mass Spectrometry Post Doc responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Analytical method development and validation for target compounds in complex matrices utilizing LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS
- Additional research objectives will be to identify and implement novel analytical methods in support of product development within R&D
- Cross-functional interactions with R&D scientists with diverse backgrounds and experience.
- Position may require minimal travel within the continental U.S.
Here's the question that I have for Eurofins and anyone who might be considering this position -- how are the responsibilities any different than a junior/senior scientist position? If so, why are they calling the position a "postdoctoral fellow"? (This is a question that anyone who is contemplating an industrial postdoc should ask themselves.)

Torrance, CA: Medical Chemical Corporations is looking for a B.S./M.S. chemist to be a production chemist. Sounds like fun.

A broader look: Monster, Careerbuilder, Indeed and USAjobs.gov show (respectively) 204, 619, 2,334 and 14 positions for the search term "chemist." Linked shows 105 positions for the job title "chemist", with 16 for "analytical chemist", 7 for "organic chemist" and 6 for "research chemist." 

6 comments:

  1. The manager is a fan of your blog, and is trying to do an analytical/organic Ph. D. a favor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really? Well, if that's the case, first, let me say: thanks for reading, and thanks for commenting.

      Second, I hope academic/learning experiences will be built into this position; it was for my industrial postdoc, and I hope that it is for all of them.

      Delete
    2. I was joking, but all kidding aside. The doom and gloom can get rather infectious. Who knows, maybe the manager feels he's doing Ph. D. a solid just to get their foot in the door.

      Delete
  2. " If so, why are they calling the position a "postdoctoral fellow""

    Oh, oh, I know this one! So they can pay the person less!

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  3. ACS should be ashamed for allowing it to be posted as written. What's next? Work-at-home scams?

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  4. Simple, they want a temp for 40k/y but they don't want to waste money on temp agencies, knowing full well that people there are not qualified. So they call industrial postdoc and throw out there. See it all the time.

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looks like Blogger doesn't work with anonymous comments from Chrome browsers at the moment - works in Microsoft Edge, or from Chrome with a Blogger account - sorry! CJ 3/21/20