C&EN: "Bayer to slash agrochemical jobs in Germany"

In this week's C&EN (article by Alex Scott): 

Bayer is restructuring Crop Science, its agrochemical and seed business, in a bid to “ensure the division’s global competitiveness” in the face of competition from low-cost Chinese generic products, Bayer says in a press release.

Measures the firm will take include closing a site in Frankfurt, Germany, by the end of 2028 that produces active ingredients and formulations for herbicides. An undisclosed number of the 500 plant workers at the site will move to locations in Dormagen and Knapsack, Germany, or Bayer’s other pesticide formulation sites, the company says. Bayer will relocate R&D staff at the Frankfurt site to Monheim am Rhein, Germany, where the firm already conducts R&D on insecticides and fungicides.

Additionally, Bayer says that by 2028 it will “streamline” its pesticide plant in Dormagen by discontinuing the production of generic active ingredients that are available elsewhere at significantly lower prices. The changes will result in the loss of about 200 of the 1,200 jobs at the site.

The planned restructure is a response to low-cost competition, especially from China, where the spot price of pesticide active ingredients has dropped by more than 20% in recent years, Bayer says.

Following a presentation by Bayer board members, BNP Paribas stock analyst Laurent Fevre asked whether pressure on profits in Bayer’s crop protection business could get worse. Crop Science president Rodrigo Santos’s response was that he does not expect the problem to go away anytime soon. “We do see competitive pricing pressure for the next quarters, as we have a significant build-up of capacity in China,” he said.

Sales in Bayer Crop Science’s division fell 3.3% in the first quarter of the year to $8.2 billion; pretax profits were down 10.2% to $2.6 billion.

I suppose I cannot be surprised by this, but it's got to be tough for Bayer. Best wishes to those affected, and to us all. 

Have a good weekend

Well, this was a weird week, but there you are. I hope that you had a good week, and we'll see you on Monday. 

C&EN wants to know - do you want to leave the US?

Via C&EN: 

Science has no passport, no gender, no ethnicity or political party,” said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, in a May 5 speech in Paris. That’s why, she continued, “Europe will always make the case for the world's scientists to Choose Europe.”

The Choose Europe initiative, launched in Paris, includes funding of €500 million ($556 million) over the next 2 years intended to make Europe a “magnet” for researchers. On the same day, French president Emmanuel Macron pledged another €1 million ($1.1 million) to attract researchers to France specifically.

Other national governments worldwide are doing the same.

While few of the recruitment initiatives explicitly mention the US in their materials, multiple governments see opportunities to attract bright minds to their shores. Are you a chemist or chemical engineer who is considering leaving the US to take up one of these offers? Or are you already buying plane tickets?

Link to form here.

Large Hadron Collider turned lead into gold

Via the CERN website, this important news: 

In a paper published in Physical Review Journals, the ALICE collaboration reports measurements that quantify the transmutation of lead into gold in CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

Transforming the base metal lead into the precious metal gold was a dream of medieval alchemists. This long-standing quest, known as chrysopoeia, may have been motivated by the observation that dull grey, relatively abundant lead is of a similar density to gold, which has long been coveted for its beautiful colour and rarity. It was only much later that it became clear that lead and gold are distinct chemical elements and that chemical methods are powerless to transmute one into the other.

...The ALICE analysis shows that, during Run 2 of the LHC (2015–2018), about 86 billion gold nuclei were created at the four major experiments. In terms of mass, this corresponds to just 29 picograms (2.9 ×10E-11 g). Since the luminosity in the LHC is continually increasing thanks to regular upgrades to the machines, Run 3 has produced almost double the amount of gold that Run 2 did, but the total still amounts to trillions of times less than would be required to make a piece of jewellery. While the dream of medieval alchemists has technically come true, their hopes of riches have once again been dashed.

I calculate the amount of gold created to be in the 0.0000030247 cents range (2.9 X10E-11 grams X $104.30/gram), which won't get you much of a cup of coffee these days. 

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List: 505 research/teaching positions and 100 teaching positions

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List has 505 research/teaching positions and 100 teaching positions. 

Want to help out? Here's a Google Form to enter positions.

To see trending, go to Andrew Spaeth's visualization of previous years' list.

On May 14, 2024, the 2024 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List had 556 research/teaching positions and 86 teaching positions.

Want to talk anonymously? Have an update on the status of a job search? This is the link to the second open thread. This is the link to the first open thread.

Don't forget to click on "load more" below the comment box for the full thread. 

Are you having problems accessing the Google Sheet because of a Google Documents error? Email me at chemjobber@gmail.com and I will send you an Excel download of the latest sheet. 

Job posting: assistant professor (fall 2026), Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC

From the inbox: 

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Victoria invites applications for an Assistant Professor position in experimental chemistry, particularly in one of the areas of physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry or a combination of the two fields. The research area is broadly defined and includes but is not limited to inorganic synthesis, sustainable materials, catalysis, spectroscopy, nanosciences, and/or energy, including energy storage devices. The successful applicant will be offered a tenure-track appointment with an expected start date of July 1, 2026 or as negotiated. A PhD degree in chemistry is required and Post-doctoral experience is strongly preferred. 

In accordance with the University’s Equity Plan and pursuant to section 42 of the BC Human Rights Code, the selection will be limited to women and gender diverse peoples. Therefore, all candidates must self-identify as belonging to one of the designated groups in their cover letter to be considered for this position. 

The salary for this position is in a competitive range of $115,000-$125,000. The candidate's qualifications, experience and overall market demand will determine the final salary. The University of Victoria is committed to offering an equitable and competitive salary, inclusive of a generous benefits package, eligible leaves and pension plan. 

Priority date is July 15, 2025. Full ad here. Best wishes to those interested. 

FiercePharma: "FDA misses another approval decision target date, this time for GSK's Nucala in COPD"

Via FiercePharma, this news: 

In the wake of mass restructuring efforts across the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the FDA has missed yet another approval decision target date.

GSK had expected to secure an FDA nod for its IL-5 antibody Nucala in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on Wednesday, but the May 7 deadline has come and gone without a decision from the U.S. regulator.

“Based on our latest discussions with the FDA, we continue to expect approval,” a GSK spokesperson said in an email.

“The FDA is actively reviewing our submission for Nucala in COPD and we are working closely with them to help bring this important treatment option to patients as quickly as possible,” the spokesperson said, caveating that the company does “not comment on ongoing discussions with regulatory authorities.”

Between the president's new executive order and this news, it very much feels like the Executive Branch is threatening pharma revenue streams directly. I can't imagine this will do anything good for hiring, especially in terms of entry-level R&D positions.  

Have a good weekend

Well, this week is just crazier and crazier but I think I am almost on top of things. I hope that you had a calmer week than I, and that you have a wonderful Mother's Day weekend. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there and we'll see you on Monday. 

TIL Iran sells methanol to China

Via Bloomberg, this story: 

...Iranian methanol exports to China — which have so far flown under Washington’s radar — may be subject to scrutiny after the US threatened to impose secondary sanctions on buyers of the country’s oil.

About 40% of China’s methanol imports, around 5.2 million tons, came from Iran last year, Kpler data show. The chemical compound made from natural gas is used as a feedstock to create olefins, which are in turn used to make plastics. Methanol-to-olefin, or MTO, plants are the biggest buyers of cargoes originating in Iran, according to price-reporting and analytics firm ICIS.

“Iranian methanol is almost the only efficient way” for MTO units to get enough supply, said Ann Sun, a senior analyst at ICIS. Around 60% of standalone Chinese MTO plants are located on the coast, and it’s those facilities that rely on imported methanol, she said.

The MTO process was developed and commercialized in China, with the world’s first such plant built in Baotou in Inner Mongolia in 2010, according to a research paper published by the American Chemical Society. Methanol has become an important alternative to traditional feedstocks used to produce plastics including naphtha...

The global supply chain is fascinating and flows in so many directions... 

Job posting: Scientist, Encapsys, Appleton, WI

Via Bluesky, this position: 

POSITION TITLE

Scientist, Encapsys

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• New capsule product solutions developed using Six Sigma and other scientific tools. 
• Leadership and management of product development, validation, and scale-up. 
• Safe processes for the handling of raw materials/finished products and production of product solutions. 
• Support of invention disclosures or patent applications. 

QUALIFICATIONS – REQUIRED 

• BS in Chemistry, Engineering, or related scientific field. 
• 5+ years of industry experience in product development/process engineering. 
• Extensive experience in and demonstrates advanced knowledge in an area of science or product technology.   
• Ability to facilitate and drive resolution of complex problems. 
• Ability and proven track record to develop products and technologies. 

QUALIFICATIONS – PREFERRED 

• MS or PhD in Chemistry or related field. 

Best wishes to those interested. 

MilliporeSigma instituting tariff charge in the US

Seen via email (emphasis mine): 

Tariff Impact and Approach

Dear Valued Customer,

MilliporeSigma's top priority is to ensure that patients, researchers, and customers worldwide continue to benefit from our innovations without disruption.

Starting in early April, we have witnessed new tariff schemes across the world. As a global company operating in many regions, we are making every effort to minimize the effect of these changes for our customers. However, like many businesses, the new tariffs are impacting our operations.

To maintain our operational integrity and continue delivering the service and quality our customers rely on, we have made the decision to implement a tariff surcharge. This temporary surcharge is in lieu of a tariff cost passthrough and protects our customers from experiencing the full impact of the broad tariff rates, some of which are very high. By leveraging a surcharge, we retain flexibility to adjust or remove the surcharge if the situation changes in the coming weeks or months.

Effective May 5, the surcharge will be applied to product orders shipped to locations in the United States which reflects the tariffs' broader impacts on our overall global supply chain processes, including production and procurement costs in addition to any direct costs on products. This charge will appear as a separate line item on quotes and invoices.

We understand that surcharges can be challenging, and we appreciate your understanding and continued support. In the meantime, we are working across our teams to reduce further impacts by strengthening our global presence, balancing investments across regions, and ensuring the resilience of our supply chain.

Sincerely,

Jean Charles Wirth

Head of Science and Lab Solutions

Well, that's not good for anyone. 

Have a good weekend

Well, this has been a wild week and it's not over for me. I hope that you have persisted through this week and I will try to as well. I hope the weather is great for your weekend. See you on Monday. 

SCMP: "Former Harvard professor convicted over China ties joins Tsinghua University"

Via the South China Morning Post:

Retired Harvard University chemist and nanoscientist Charles Lieber, who was convicted in 2021 for not disclosing his connections to a Chinese talent programme, has joined Tsinghua University as a chair professor.

Lieber, 66, a pioneer in the integration of nanotechnology for use in biology and medicine, will be researching at the Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, launched by the top Chinese university in 2019.

Lieber said his goal in the next few years was to “work with everyone to build a global science and technology hub and realise more scientific dreams in the vibrant and innovative city of Shenzhen”, according to a social media post by the graduate school on Thursday.

“He is ready to start a new research journey in Shenzhen and cannot wait to get to work as soon as possible,” the post said.

Lieber told the South China Morning Post last year that he was exploring work opportunities in mainland China and Hong Kong. He said at the time that he aimed to find an institution where he could best conduct research to benefit all, and where he would best be able to aid other researchers in their work.

Can't say I'm particularly surprised, but I don't think I would have predicted this after the end of his trial. I really wonder what plea deals were on the table and if he ever wishes he had made different decisions... 

Job posting: Research Chemist, BlueHalo, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, United States

 Via ACS Chemistry Careers: 

The Research Scientist will join collaborative multidisciplinary team at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) in Dayton, Ohio. The position focuses on basic and applied research projects involving synthesis of novel organic/inorganic small molecules, oligomers, and polymers.  Primary research responsibilities will be to develop synthetic strategies and routes to produce organometallic and inorganic-based polymers.  We are particularly interested in a highly motivated, adaptable, and capable individual with a Ph.D. in Polymer Chemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field. 

Requirements

• This position is working within a government facility and requires U.S. Citizenship
• Ph.D. (or to be completed in next 6 mos.) in Polymer Chemistry, Chemistry, Materials Science & Engineering, Ceramic Engineering or a related field
• Experience with glove boxes, Schlenk line and air-free synthetic techniques for the preparation of inorganic, organometallic, or organic molecules and polymers
• Ability to learn and develop new approaches and techniques
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• This position will require a self-motivated individual with good interpersonal skills and careful attention to details
• Adaptable to varying program objectives 

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in polymer or hybrid material synthesis, as evidenced by research publications in peer-reviewed journals and professional society conference presentations.
• Prior experience in the synthesis of oxygen free boron molecules

Full ad here. Best wishes to those interested. 

C&EN on the Iranian port explosion

Credit: Planet Labs PBC via AP

Via C&EN, this story (article by Bethany Halford)

An explosion on April 26 at Iran’s largest port, near the southern city of Bandar Abbas killed at least 70 people and injured more than 1,000, according to Iranian state media.

The Islamic Republic News Agency, a state-run outlet, quotes an official who says containers of chemicals set off the explosion, though they do not specify the chemicals’ identity. The New York Times reports that a person with ties to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says the explosion was caused by sodium perchlorate—a strong oxidizer that is used as part of rocket fuel.

But that seems unlikely, according to Andrea Sella, a chemist at University College London. Sella says that although sodium perchlorate is a powerful oxidizer, it needs fuel to generate gaseous products that could cause an explosion like the one seen at the Iranian port. “Sodium perchlorate, on its own, to my knowledge, is not explosive and certainly doesn't detonate like that,” he says.

Sella initially thought the material might have been ammonium nitrate because of the intensity of the blast and the orange-brown plume of smoke—a hallmark of nitrogen dioxide from the burning of that bulk commodity chemical—that appears in videos of the incident. But he now suspects that it may have been ammonium perchlorate, a material that’s used as a solid-state propellant for missiles.

The combustion of ammonium perchlorate—a salt that combines the oxidant perchlorate and the reductant ammonium—is quite complex. It produces what Sella calls “a menagerie of gaseous products.” One of those is nitrogen dioxide, which could account for the orange-brown plume. Videos of the early stages of the fire also show black smoke, which Sella says indicates organic material also caught on fire. As the fire intensifies, the flame is a bright orange, which suggests that sodium is present.

A New York Times article says that the Iranian authorities are blaming incorrectly labeled goods. That certainly could be a problem, but I guess I don't understand why someone is shipping (or receiving) perchlorates seemingly without extra care? 

If you get a moment, go to the NYT article to watch the video of the explosion. (scroll down) The initial fire-resulting-in-explosion is both faster and slower than I expected. I'd love to know what actually happened.

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List: 505 research/teaching positions and 100 teaching positions

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List (curated by Andrew Spaeth and myself) has 505 research/teaching positions and 100 teaching positions. 

Want to help out? Here's a Google Form to enter positions.

To see trending, go to Andrew Spaeth's visualization of previous years' list.

On April 23, 2024, the 2024 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List had 552 research/teaching positions and 86 teaching positions.

Want to talk anonymously? Have an update on the status of a job search? This is the link to the second open thread. This is the link to the first open thread.

Don't forget to click on "load more" below the comment box for the full thread. 

Are you having problems accessing the Google Sheet because of a Google Documents error? Email me at chemjobber@gmail.com and I will send you an Excel download of the latest sheet. 

C&EN: "Dow plans deep cuts amid poor economy"

Via C&EN, this bad news (article by Alexander Tullo):

Responding to economic uncertainty and a longer and deeper chemical industry downturn than it had anticipated, Dow is planning further cuts to manufacturing. The company, the largest US chemical maker, is delaying an ethylene project in Alberta and may idle or permanently shut down three large facilities in Europe, including its ethylene cracker in Böhlen, Germany.

“The reality is our industry is in one of the most protracted downcycles in decades, facing a third consecutive year of below 3% GDP growth,” CEO Jim Fitterling said in an April 24 conference call with analysts. “This has been further exacerbated by geopolitical and macroeconomic concerns, which are weighing on demand globally.”

Dow is delaying its so-called Path2Zero project in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. The $6.5 billion project includes the construction of new ethylene and polyethylene plants. Instead of using fossil fuels to heat the furnaces, the company plans to use hydrogen produced by feeding cracker off-gases into an autothermal reformer. The carbon dioxide emissions would be captured and stored underground.

“We now see a higher probability of a lower-for-longer earnings environment, which changes our expectations for when the capacity from this project will be needed,” Fitterling said.

Earlier this year, Dow announced plans to reduce capital spending by $300 million to $500 million in 2025. At the time, it also unveiled a $1 billion cost-reduction program that would lead to 1,500 layoffs, or about 4% of its staff.

Well, that doesn't sound like great news for Dow or for hiring for this fall. Best wishes to those affected, and all of us. 

C&EN: "More hurt for European chemical firms"

Via C&EN, this bad news (article by Alex Scott): 

The European chemical sector isn’t getting out of its slump quite yet. In fact, a number of indicators suggest that the outlook today is worse than it was at the start of the year.

German chemical executives had hoped that their country’s new government, which is set to receive parliamentary confirmation on May 6, would ease their plight. But there is “little to enthuse investors in energy-intensive German industrials,” says Sebastian Bray, Berenberg Bank’s chemical analyst, in a note to investors.

Instead, leading German companies such as BASF are likely to be casualties of the trade war launched with the tariffs announced April 2 imposed by US president Donald J. Trump. Any commitment by the new German government to cut the price of industrial power is not likely to happen before 2026, Bray states. Meanwhile, “the outlook for Q2 2025 earnings is growing more precarious.”

The UK’s leading industry body, the Chemical Industries Association (CIA), is also concerned about the impact that higher US tariffs may have on the UK chemical sector. In 2023, 23.6% of all UK chemical exports went to the US, according to the UK Office for National Statistics, and the 10% tariff that the US has imposed on most countries could stem that flow.

It will be grimly ironic if the effect of the Trump Administration's tariffs is to additionally advantage the Chinese chemical industry over the American and European ones. 

Have a great weekend

This was a weird week, but I'm not going to complain about it. Hope that you had a great week and a wonderful weekend. See you on Monday. 

Letter to the editor: "If ACS won’t stand up now, it should stand down."

Via Chemical and Engineering News, this letter: 

ACS Comment on supporting science

The March 24, 2025, edition of C&EN had a report by Wayne E. Jones Jr., chair of the American Chemical Society Board of Directors (page 41). Dr. Jones, you are complicit in your silence: the elephant in the room is Donald J. Trump. The president has single-handedly destroyed one of the greatest science enterprises the world has ever seen. I am reminded of Germany circa the 1930s. Things are not OK.

I have been a member of ACS for nearly 50 years. It seems that the organization is a clique whose mission is to give one another awards, ensure promotion and tenure, and receive grants. Thanks to the attack on science by this administration, the clique is about to crumble. Your colleagues will lose grant money, their students won’t get jobs or even graduate, the international postdocs you thought you would hire won’t get visas, and universities won’t get funding for overhead. In short, the research environment in the US is in shambles.

Jones’s report is spineless­—unwilling to take a risk, timid—and irrelevant. If ACS won’t stand up now, it should stand down.

Larry Lewis 

Niskayuna, New York

Well, I can't say I disagree much.  

 

Job posting: Fermentation Manager, BioVerde, Akron, OH

Via ACS Chemistry Careers: 

BioVerde Tech, LLC is seeking a talented and motivated Fermentation Manager to lead methanotroph fermentation research, development and scaleup activities at its Ohio laboratory and pilot site on the campus of the University of Akron. Thorough hands-on understanding of gas fermentation technology is required along with experience in process design and optimization, technical transfer, control system implementation, analytical process monitoring, and scaleup from bench to pilot. The successful candidate will have a current operational knowledge of high cell-density industrial gas fermentation platforms and methodologies, including fed-batch and continuous processes and harvest operations. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking advancements in biotechnology while working with a passionate and innovative team committed to a sustainable future.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Successfully lead the process development, scale-up and upstream production of engineered methanotrophic bacteria for biomass and chemical products derived from aerobic methane fermentation
• Bioreactor / gas feed setup, operation and proper handling of samples (gas, liquid, cell mass) and harvested biomass and broth at benchtop and pilot scales

Requirements

• BS (+10 y), MS(+5 y) or PhD (+5 y) degree in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering or related discipline is required. A PhD is preferred but not essential depending upon relevant experience
• Minimum 5 – 10 years of relevant fermentation experience in an industrial setting

Full ad here. Best wishes to those interested. 

Did you work with Jiri Jonas or interact with his work?

A relative of his current caregiver provides this note about emeritus professor Jiri Jonas who is 90: 

His wife passed a couple years ago and he never had kids and lives a pretty solitary life. 

I know his work has had impact on so many chemists and he accomplished some amazing things, so I'm reaching out to chemists around the world to send letters to an old giant in your field to let him know how much his contribution to the rich vastness of human knowledge has been appreciated.  It's really all about letting a lonely old man know that he has not been forgotten by the world he touched.

I just want to collect some letters or maybe postcards even to have my mom hand to him once in a while to read.  I'm a sociologist and and economist by graduate training so I have no familiarity with his work, but from what I've been told, his contributions to the literature have been great.  

Interested? Send me an email at chemjobber -at- gmail dot com 

How do they make the white and black smoke?

Via an old BBC article by Philip Ball, this article by Vatican News: 

How The White And Black “Fumate” Are Produced

Vatican City, 12 March 2013 (VIS) – Beginning with the Conclave in 2005, in order to better distinguish the colour of the “fumate” (smoke signalling the election or non-election of a pontiff), a secondary apparatus is used to generate the smoke in addition to the traditional stove in which the Cardinal electors’ ballots are burned. This device stands next to the ballot-burning stove and has a compartment where, according to the results of the vote, different coloured-smoke generating compounds can be mixed. The result is requested by means of an electronic control panel and lasts for several minutes while the ballots are burning in the other stove.

For a black “fumata” the chemical compound is made of potassium perchlorate, anthracene, and sulphur. The white “fumata” is a mixture of potassium chlorate, lactose, and rosin. The rosin is a natural amber resin obtained from conifers. Prior to 2005 the black smoke was obtained by using smoke black or pitch and the white smoke by using wet straw.

The stove-pipes of the stove and the smoke-producing device join up and exit the roof of the Sistine Chapel as one pipe leading to the chimney installed on the ridge of the roof, which is visible from St. Peter’s Square. To improve the airflow the pipe is pre-heated by electrical resistance and it also has a backup fan.

Pretty cool, I think. 

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List: 505 research/teaching positions and 100 teaching positions

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List (curated by Andrew Spaeth and myself) has 505 research/teaching positions and 100 teaching positions. 

Want to help out? Here's a Google Form to enter positions.

To see trending, go to Andrew Spaeth's visualization of previous years' list.

On April 23, 2024, the 2024 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List had 552 research/teaching positions and 86 teaching positions.

Want to talk anonymously? Have an update on the status of a job search? This is the link to the second open thread. This is the link to the first open thread.

Don't forget to click on "load more" below the comment box for the full thread. 

Are you having problems accessing the Google Sheet because of a Google Documents error? Email me at chemjobber@gmail.com and I will send you an Excel download of the latest sheet. 

Have a good weekend

I'm not going to lie, this has been an exhausting week. I hope that you had a less tiring week than I did, and that you have a great weekend. I don't think I'm going to get much rest this weekend, but that's all right. See you on Monday. 

The inventor of the torpedo bat has a PhD in physics?

a torpedo bat 
Credit: NBC News

Via the Wall Street Journal, this important news: 

When Aaron Leanhardt was a graduate student in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he was part of a research team that cooled sodium gas to the lowest temperature ever recorded in human history.

What his colleagues didn’t realize was that in the rare moments when Leanhardt wasn’t toiling away at the lab, he was moonlighting as a speedy shortstop in a local amateur baseball league. Leanhardt was good enough to play in a 2001 All-Star Game at a minor-league stadium in Lowell. He hit .464 that season.

“We didn’t even know about that,” said David Pritchard, a professor emeritus at MIT.

More than two decades later, the baseball world suddenly knows all about the 48-year-old Leanhardt. He’s the inventor of the so-called “torpedo bat,” perhaps the most significant development in bat technology in decades...

I'm amused to look at his LinkedIn and see that he was a professor at the University of Michigan and then left to become a minor league hitting coach? Talk about someone who was in love with baseball! 

Also, I think it's pretty great that bats have basically been around forever, but "make the sweet spot of the bat bigger and well-customized" was apparently not a thing before? (In truth, I imagine that this is yet another incremental innovation in bat technology, but I'm not a baseball bat scholar so we'll see in ten years, I imagine.) 

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List: 504 research/teaching positions and 100 teaching positions

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List (curated by Andrew Spaeth and myself) has 504 research/teaching positions and 100 teaching positions. 

Want to help out? Here's a Google Form to enter positions.

To see trending, go to Andrew Spaeth's visualization of previous years' list.

On April 16, 2024, the 2024 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List had 548 research/teaching positions and 84 teaching positions.

Want to talk anonymously? Have an update on the status of a job search? This is the link to the second open thread. This is the link to the first open thread.

Don't forget to click on "load more" below the comment box for the full thread. 

Are you having problems accessing the Google Sheet because of a Google Documents error? Email me at chemjobber@gmail.com and I will send you an Excel download of the latest sheet. 

Predictions about the Chemistry Faculty Jobs List

Dear Job Seekers of the Chemistry Faculty Jobs List: 

I have been avoiding writing this piece for months, even as I have thought these things for November. For that, I am sorry, because I feel that I owe more than simply filling out this spreadsheet line-by-line for these past 9 years. Nevertheless, here are some things that I think are true. 

1. The Trump Administration's direct assault on higher education will not stop for at least the next four years. 
2. The Trump Administration's direct assault on the funding agencies will not stop for at least the next four years. 
3. The Trump Administration's direct assault on the Department of Education will not stop at least the next four years. 
4. The Trump Administration's actions with international students will drive down international student enrollment for at least the next four years. 
5. The "demographic cliff" is still coming. 

This is obvious as the nose on my face, and the nose on yours.  American colleges and universities are under tremendous governmental and financial pressure. This does not mean anything good for hiring tenure-track professors of chemistry. 

I imagine that most of the people who use this list know that, but if you don't - now you can't say I didn't say so. What does this mean for job seekers who use the list? Two things: 

1. I expect the 2024-25 list to be the local maxima for the foreseeable future. 
2. I expect the 2025-26 list to be at least 20% lower than 2024-25 (at least the drop between the 19-20 year and the 20-21 year) 
3. I expect the smaller schools (PUIs) to be hit the hardest, followed by smaller public universities.

You probably already had these thoughts already and now you know mine. I wish I had better news to share. Want to talk? Email me at chemjobber -at- gmail dot com

If you're a job seeker, you're welcome to comment. 

UPDATED: Added the word "colleges." Added an additional prediction (prediction 3)

Have a good weekend

This has been a rough week, hasn't it? Feels that way to me. I hope that you had a better week than I and that you have a wonderful, sunny weekend. See you on Monday. 

Job posting: Formulation Chemist/Chemical Engineer III, Perimeter Solutions, Green Bay, WI

Via ACS Chemistry Careers: 

The Formulation Chemist III will report to the R&D Manager and work closely with the laboratory and other department staff. This position is responsible for development and research related to fluorine free firefighting foams for Class A combustible materials and for Class B flammable and combustible liquids.

The individual in this position will create and develop novel formulation for the fire protection industry. The individual will collaborate with other functions in R&D to explore, test proof of concept, and produce novel products, and advance new technologies in the industry.  The individual will also provide SME (subject matter expertise) and support necessary in technology transfer, product approvals, and process scale up for new firefighting foams. This individual should be skilled in the conception and development of formulations of surfactant-based products for fire protection or with similar experience in cleaning, agricultural, pharmaceutical, personal care or related industries.

Major Responsibilities/Accountabilities:

• Research and development with primary emphasis on improvement of current Fire Safety Products
• Design and conduct research that addresses customer needs and supports Perimeter Solutions business objectives

Requirements:

• Minimum BS in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, Master’s degree or PhD preferred with experience in HI&I or cosmetics industry
• Minimum 10 years of experience formulating/developing surfactant-based products or other specialty chemicals in a manufacturing environment. Must be able to travel a minimum of 10% throughout the US

Full ad here. Best wishes to those interested. 

TIL Antoine Lavoisier made gunpowder for France

Via Smithsonian Magazine: 

In March 1776, Congress’ Committee of Secret Correspondence dispatched Connecticut politician and merchant Silas Deane on a mission to France, where he covertly met with Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais, a confidant of Louis XVI. Beaumarchais, who described himself in a letter to Congress as an “ardent” supporter of the American rebels, established a front organization, Roderigue Hortalez & Company, to smuggle French, Dutch and Spanish guns, clothing and other supplies to the colonists, directly and via the West Indies. He also provisioned Washington’s troops with gunpowder made by Antoine Lavoisier—France’s gunpowder guru. 

In 1775, Lavoisier had assumed control of France’s national gunpowder production. Considered the founder of the Chemical Revolution, he brought exacting standards and new refining techniques to what had previously been a simple but inexact process of mixing three simple ingredients. After extensive tests, Lavoisier eventually settled on a ratio of 75 percent saltpeter, 12.5 percent charcoal and 12.5 percent sulfur. He later declared the resulting French gunpowder “the best in Europe.”

More important than its quality was its availability. The Colonies lacked the industrial capacity to make powder and guns, so they didn’t need the best—they just needed any at all. Thanks to Beaumarchais and other sympathizers, they got them. By the end of 1777, France had smuggled roughly two million pounds of gunpowder and 60,000 French arms into the Colonies—roughly one for every soldier in the Continental Army. These shipments led to the American victory at Saratoga in October 1777, a decisive moment for independence. 

I guess America's defense industrial base wasn't always what it is (or was, anyway.) 

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List: 502 research/teaching positions and 94 teaching positions

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List (curated by Andrew Spaeth and myself) has 502 research/teaching positions and 94 teaching positions. 

Want to help out? Here's a Google Form to enter positions.

To see trending, go to Andrew Spaeth's visualization of previous years' list.

On April 9, 2024, the 2024 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List had 547 research/teaching positions and 82 teaching positions.

Want to talk anonymously? Have an update on the status of a job search? This is the link to the second open thread. This is the link to the first open thread.

Don't forget to click on "load more" below the comment box for the full thread. 

Are you having problems accessing the Google Sheet because of a Google Documents error? Email me at chemjobber@gmail.com and I will send you an Excel download of the latest sheet. 

C&EN on the second Trump Administration tariffs

Via C&EN's Alex Tullo: 

The Donald J. Trump administration is imposing the toughest trade barriers in generations, levying new duties of at least 10% on every major trading partner. But the duties exempt many chemicals and most pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and energy products.

Here's the key paragraphs: 

The White House has excluded many products from the tariffs, including an expansive number of major chemicals. These products include polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate; petrochemicals like phenols and ethylene; and other large-volume chemicals such as titanium dioxide. The list also has exclusions for pharmaceutical products, semiconductors, and energy products. Some products on the exemption list may be subject to later tariffs.

Chemical industry groups are weighing in on the measures carefully. The American Chemistry Council (ACC) says it is studying them to see how they affect the US industry. “ACC wants to work consistently with the Administration on a pro-growth trade agenda that decreases America’s supply chain vulnerabilities while negotiating new measures that benefit domestic production and jobs,” the group says in a statement.

The Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA) calls for a “strategic, sector-informed approach” in a statement. “Many SOCMA members are now confronting significantly higher costs for the raw materials they rely on—inputs often unavailable at scale within the US,” the trade group says.

In a note to clients, Laurence Alexander, a stock analyst with the investment firm Jefferies, says the most important impact of the new tariffs will be their effect on demand for chemicals from all sources. The global chemical industry overall will face a roughly 0.8% headwind, he says, while demand for chemicals serving durable goods and clothing markets could see as much as a 6% impact.

I think this bears a lot of watching and close reading. It sounds like there will be pharma tariffs as well. I can't imagine this does anything good for industrial chemist hiring this year but we will see. I thought this comment from Lilly's CEO was grimly ironic: 

Lilly has been one of the industry leaders in building up its U.S. production capabilities. Since 2020, the Indianapolis drugmaker has earmarked $50 billion to construct and upgrade new plants in the U.S. But Lilly also depends largely on foreign manufacturing, most notably in business-friendly Ireland, where it employs more than 3,000 and is constructing a new $800 million facility. 

“We can’t breach those agreements, so we have to eat the cost of the tariffs and make trade-offs within our own companies,” Ricks told BBC. “Typically, that will be in reduction of staff or research and development, and I predict R&D will come first. That’s a disappointing outcome.”

If Lilly with all of this Mounjaro revenue is planning on cutting R&D back, what will the other pharma firms do? 

Have a good weekend

Uh, I don't think I had a good week, even though I tried mightily to move my 300 balls forward. I hope that you had a good week, and that you have a great weekend. See you on Monday. 

Trump: Pharma tariffs to start

Via the Wall Street Journal on Thursday: 

President Trump reiterated his pledge to impose tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors during his Air Force One flight Thursday, but he didn't say when they would be announced.

“The chips are starting very soon,” he said. “The pharma is going to start coming in, I think, at a level that we haven’t really seen before. We are looking at pharma right now. Pharmaceuticals. It’s a separate category. We’ll be announcing that sometime in the near future. It’s under review right now.”

Well, I don't know what this all means, but I don't think it means anything good for chemists in the United States. I guess we're going to find out. 

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List: 501 research/teaching positions and 94 teaching positions

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List (curated by Andrew Spaeth and myself) has 501 research/teaching positions and 94 teaching positions. 

Want to help out? Here's a Google Form to enter positions.

To see trending, go to Andrew Spaeth's visualization of previous years' list.

On April 2, 2024, the 2024 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List had 546 research/teaching positions and 82 teaching positions.

Want to talk anonymously? Have an update on the status of a job search? This is the link to the second open thread. This is the link to the first open thread.

Don't forget to click on "load more" below the comment box for the full thread. 

Are you having problems accessing the Google Sheet because of a Google Documents error? Email me at chemjobber@gmail.com and I will send you an Excel download of the latest sheet. 

Celanese plant has acid spill on March 20

Via WDBJ: 

NARROWS, Va. (WDBJ) - Six people were injured Thursday morning in an acid spill at the Celanese Corporation chemical plant in Narrows. There were no fatalities, according to the company and the Giles County Sheriff’s Office.

Of the six victims, three are being treated at Carilion Giles Community Hospital; two are in critical condition, according to a Carilion spokesperson. The third is reportedly stable. One more victim was taken to LewisGale Hospital Montgomery, but has been released. The other two were not hospitalized.

Approximately 10 a.m. March 20, 2025. “a release of acetic acid vapor occurred in the Cellulose Acetate Unit at Narrows, Virginia, initially causing injuries to six employees. The release has been contained and is confined to the immediate area of the plant within the fenceline; no additional impact is expected,” according to a company spokesperson.

The Giles County Sheriff’s Office confirms, “The incident was contained to the Celanese Plant property and there no longer appears to be any danger to anyone in the area. The majority of emergency personnel have cleared the scene.”

This is a good reminder that acetic acid is pretty harmful stuff at industrial concentrations and volume. Best wishes to the victims. 

I'd love to understand how the release happened, but I'm guessing it was one of those "turned the wrong valve" situations... 

Have a good weekend

Well, this was a fun week, even as I am enthusiastic for the weekend. I hope you had a week with less driving than I did, but I can't say I didn't sign up for it. I hope you have a good weekend, and we'll see you on Monday. 

Job posting: Principal Chemist - Research, Development and Engineering (RDE), ChampionX, Sugar Land, TX

Via ACS Chemistry Careers: 

The Chemical Technologies RD&E team is seeking a Principal Chemist to support new product development related to oilfield phase separation and flow improvement. The qualified candidate will support the entire life cycle of the Oilfield Chemicals emulsion breaker, reverse emulsion breaker and flow improvers product lines. Job responsibilities include the development of new experimental products and digital solutions, field evaluation at customer sites, new product introduction, manufacturing and supply chain support, and customer-facing technical support.  The ideal candidate is highly versatile, communicates effectively, and thrives in a collaborative environment.  

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or related technical field. PhD and < 2 years of experience, MS and 3+ years of experience, BS and +5 years of experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
• Proven innovator and problem solver
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 50%
• No immigration VISA sponsorship will be offered for this role

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience building emulsion breaker or reverse emulsion breaker formulations in a field setting is desired
• Prior experience in the oil and gas industry specifically oilfield chemicals, is desired
• Demonstrated project management and organizational skills

Full ad here. Best wishes to those interested. 

Pick up the phone?

Via this week's C&EN, this letter to the editor: 

Reproducibility of scientific findings

I found the timing and tone of the article on reproducibility particularly interesting given the current state of politics (C&EN, March 17, 2025, page 20). But that set aside, what I did not read from the author of this article was a little simple advice, like, scientists need to pick up their phones and use them for what they were initially intended for.

This advice, which I was given by professor Peter Schultz in 1992, accelerated my trajectory through the Chemistry Department of the University of California, Berkeley, and thanks to the new friend I made at Harvard University in the process, I published an article in Science and received my doctorate degree 3 years later.

What I have found since is that there is much more to the methods section than most journals allow one to write, and thus simple but important details are left out­—and probably more than 90% of the time. So even though I do think there are some bad scientists and some findings cannot be reproduced, I also believe that 90% of scientists may be too intimidated to simply pick up the phone and get the details. If they do, maybe they, too, will make a new friend.

James Prudent 
Madison, Wisconsin

I like the idea of picking up the phone, but...

I have to say that a phone call should not be required for normal reproduction of a paper. I think it's probably better to talk on the phone than to publish something on PubPeer first, but the goal of writing a paper should be providing sufficient information to enable independent reproduction by another scientist. 

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List: 500 research/teaching positions and 93 teaching positions

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List (curated by Andrew Spaeth and myself) has 500 research/teaching positions and 93 teaching positions. 

Want to help out? Here's a Google Form to enter positions.

To see trending, go to Andrew Spaeth's visualization of previous years' list.

On March 26, 2024, the 2024 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List had 545 research/teaching positions and 82 teaching positions.

Want to talk anonymously? Have an update on the status of a job search? This is the link to the second open thread. This is the link to the first open thread.

Don't forget to click on "load more" below the comment box for the full thread. 

Are you having problems accessing the Google Sheet because of a Google Documents error? Email me at chemjobber@gmail.com and I will send you an Excel download of the latest sheet. 

C&EN: "Trickles of layoff plans at EPA, NIH hint at big cuts"

Also in this week's C&EN, this summary of cuts at EPA and NIH (article by Leigh Krietsch Boerner and Rowan Walrath)

Federal agencies are awash in uncertainty as details about reduction-in-force (RIF) plans, ordered by President Donald J. Trump, slowly seep out. As part of his Feb. 11 executive order to “eliminat[e] waste, bloat, and insularity,” Trump required federal agencies to prepare and submit reorganization plans by March 13 that include large-scale RIFs.

Many federal scientific agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the US Department of Agriculture, have yet to share details of their RIF plans. But parts of plans at other science agencies suggest that many federal workers may soon lose their jobs. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a few details of its plans ahead of the March 13 deadline, but employees mostly remain unaware of what’s to come, according to NIH staffers. And parts of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s plans were first reported March 17 by the New York Times.

According to a portion of the EPA’s reorganization plan shared with C&EN by Democratic staff on the US House of Representatives Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the EPA is proposing to eliminate the Office of Research Development (ORD), the agency’s research arm.

The reorganization plan reviewed by the committee’s Democratic staff says the ORD has 1,540 employees, not counting special government employees and public health officers, “of which we anticipate a majority (50–75%) will not be retained.” The remaining ORD employees will be transferred to other EPA program offices, the plan says.

This is grim news for federal scientists. If any of the RIF'd scientists are readers, please feel free to email: chemjobber -at- gmail dot com. 

C&EN: "European states push Critical Chemicals Act"

In this week's C&EN, this news (article by Alex Scott): 

Led by Marc Ferracci, France’s minister for industry and energy, eight European countries have released a series of measures they want the European Union (EU) to adopt to protect the region’s ailing chemical industry.

Called the EU Critical Chemicals Act and outlined in a joint statement by the countries, the proposed legislation is a response to the European chemical industry’s lack of global competitiveness, a situation that has led to a series of plant closures across the region.

The EU Critical Chemicals Act would protect “building block” molecules considered important to the European chemical industry, the countries state. The act would replace current state aid rules so that countries can support the modernization of strategic facilities and protect manufacturers from high energy prices and low-cost products from competitors outside the region. Additionally, the act would foster R&D.

The countries have identified 18 chemicals that are critical to the region and need protection: ammonia, benzene, butadiene, chlorine, ethylene, hydrofluoric acid, lysine, methanol, methionine, phenol, propylene, silicon, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, styrene, sulfur, toluene, and xylene.

“They form the building-blocks that are essential in the upstream to the defense, health, food, automotive, construction, green tech and other major industries—the absence of which could pose a threat to public and societal interests,” the statement says.

Pretty interesting list of chemicals. I know a lot of these are manufactured in the US, but I wonder if that's the case for the amino acids. 

(There is a weird aspect of the last ten years where government aid for private industry is going up - I wonder where it ends.) 

Have a great weekend

This has been a very long week, with a lot of ups and downs. Hopefully you had a great week. I can't wait to get home, and I can't wait to have a quiet weekend. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. See you for a (hopefully) normal week around here on Monday! 

Letters to the editor: "Federal layoffs"

In this week's C&EN, this letter to the editor: 

The Feb. 24 report on the dismissal of employees from US regulatory and science funding agencies (C&EN Feb. 24, 2025, page 14) highlights ongoing concerns about the impact of antiscience sentiments. For the sake of brevity, I’ll illustrate the real-world consequences of such a misguided view by focusing on Donald J. Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

During the blizzard of ’78, I struggled more than a mile uphill through an intense snowstorm, battling 50 mi/h (80 km/h) winds that were pummeling my face and body with freezing snow, and trudging through snowdrifts—some as high as my waist—to get to the laboratories of Worcester Foundation in Massachusetts. My steadfast focus was on preventing the loss of more than a year’s worth of research; missing but a single day of injecting the animals would have delayed a project that ultimately delivered a life-extending drug to women with breast cancer.

Last month, in stark contrast to the efforts above, DOGE carelessly and needlessly shut the funding spigot for medical care and research, delaying treatments for childhood cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, infectious disease, mental health, and diabetes research. Even worse, DOGE’s uncaring termination of the US Agency for International Development, created by John F. Kennedy in 1961, risks that highly contagious lethal diseases will spread worldwide.

It’s a simple task for one of Elon Musk’s whiz kids to lean forward in an easy chair—perhaps while sipping a brew—going about the task of slashing the US debt, giving no more thought to their actions than crushing an ant underfoot.

Quite to the contrary, both before and after my 1978 trudge, scientists have worked diligently—sometimes at great personal sacrifice—to achieve medical breakthroughs that have benefited both the US and the world.

The current administration should be carefully assessing the potential consequences of its policy changes to ensure the continued advancement of medical research and the protection of public health. It obviously is not.

The root cause of this ignorance is the underlying antiscience rhetoric. The proliferation of misinformation has become a dangerous trend, eroding public trust in scientific endeavors and undermining critical advancements. This ignorance is perpetuated by a myriad of sources, each contributing to the chaos.

We scientists must find ways to make our voices heard.  

David Allen Marsh 

Bonita Beach, Florida 

It's remarkable what sacrifices scientists make for their experiments. 

Have a great weekend

Well, I need to get more work done, but I think I will be able to manage it. I hope that you have a wonderful weekend, and we will see you on Monday. 

ACS takes down Inclusivity Style Guide for revision

Via Bluesky, the American Chemical Society worked on a very thorough style guide for inclusivity. The portions on “Gender and Sexuality” and on “Race, Ethnicity, and Sexuality” were apparently recently taken down. Here is the response from Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay, the senior vice president for Inclusion and Belonging when Kelly Sheppard of Skidmore College wrote in: 

Dear Dr. Sheppard,

Thank you for reaching out about the American Chemical Society's Inclusivity Style Guide.

As part of our work to develop a new strategic plan, ACS updated one of our core values to recognize inclusion and belonging for all people, as follows: "We create environments where people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences thrive."

This core value is at the heart of all ACS resources, including the Inclusivity Style Guide.

The updated core value reflects the long and transformative work ACS has done to create an inclusive environment where everyone belongs and flourishes. It builds on ACS' past work and prioritizes the ongoing achievement of certain goals, including attainment of full, authentic participation and fair treatment across all identities and experiences.

ACS remains fully committed to inclusion and belonging. We have not abandoned our core value; rather, we are refining our resources to ensure they remain impactful in current times.

We want to ensure that the guide continues be a useful and accurate tool for creating inclusive content and communications. To protect the integrity of the guide, we have paused specific sections for review and refinement, so they remain effective. Once this review is completed, we will repost the updated sections.

We understand the frustration, concern and hurt this has caused. We welcome constructive dialogue and input to ensure that our inclusivity resources meet the needs of our community. This guide is one tool in ACS' broader effort to foster inclusion.

We truly value your membership in ACS. Please let me know if you'd like to discuss this matter.

Best regards, Rajendrani (Raj) Mukhopadhyay

Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay (she/her) Senior Vice President, Inclusion and Belonging

It is both very weird and very emblematic of ACS that they would make these changes without really answering any questions about it (and pretending that it isn't about our current political climate.) I guess we'll see what the new sections look like when they come out, and then we can make further judgments. 

WB DVDs from the 2000s are malfunctioning?

Via Ars Technica, this unusual news: 

In a statement to JoBlo shared on Tuesday, WBD confirmed widespread complaints about DVDs manufactured between 2006 and 2008. The statement said:

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is aware of potential issues affecting select DVD titles manufactured between 2006 – 2008, and the company has been actively working with consumers to replace defective discs.

Where possible, the defective discs have been replaced with the same title. However, as some of the affected titles are no longer in print or the rights have expired, consumers have been offered an exchange for a title of like-value.

Consumers with affected product can contact the customer support team at whv@wbd.com.

This was an interesting comment on the potential chemistry issues: 

its oxidation of the metal substrate that is encased in the plastic outer disc. The readable surface in there needs to stay sealed between the layers but eventually the bonding between them can fail and let in air which is why the rot usually starts from the inside of the disc and spreads outward. I worked on the blu-ray standard and this was a big concern when designing that format as the disc itself was even more prone to quickly degrading due to the even smaller physical indentations that designate a 1/0 on the disc media (compared to a dvd).

Here's what Wikipedia has to say about the composition of optical discs: 

Write-once optical discs commonly have an organic dye (may also be a (phthalocyanine) azo dye, mainly used by Verbatim, or an oxonol dye, used by Fujifilm[4]) recording layer between the substrate and the reflective layer. Rewritable discs typically contain an alloy recording layer composed of a phase change material, most often AgInSbTe, an alloy of silver, indium, antimony, and tellurium.[5] Azo dyes were introduced in 1996 and phthalocyanine only began to see wide use in 2002. The type of dye and the material used on the reflective layer on an optical disc may be determined by shining a light through the disc, as different dye and material combinations have different colors.

Sounds like it's probably not actually the metal? Pretty interesting to think about, though. 

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List: 496 research/teaching positions and 88 teaching positions

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List (curated by Andrew Spaeth and myself) has 497 research/teaching positions and 91 teaching positions. 

Want to help out? Here's a Google Form to enter positions.

To see trending, go to Andrew Spaeth's visualization of previous years' list.

On March 12, 2024, the 2024 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List had 534 research/teaching positions and 82 teaching positions.

Want to talk anonymously? Have an update on the status of a job search? This is the link to the second open thread. This is the link to the first open thread.

Don't forget to click on "load more" below the comment box for the full thread. 

Are you having problems accessing the Google Sheet because of a Google Documents error? Email me at chemjobber@gmail.com and I will send you an Excel download of the latest sheet. 

Job posting: visiting assistant professor, general/organic, Murray State University, Murray, KY

Via LinkedIn: 

Murray State's Department of Chemistry is looking for a one-year Visiting Assistant Professor for the next academic year (25-26). The candidate must have a PhD in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, and must be able to teach general and/or organic chemistry (biochemistry is also an option). MSU is an ACS accredited, primarily undergraduate department with nearly 75 majors and over 100 minors in rural western Kentucky. Research space for the candidate is also an option. Please provide CV if interested.

Email Professor Kevin Miller (kmiller38 -at- murraystate.edu) if interested. 

C&EN: "Chemical makers brace for trade war"

In this week's C&EN, this article by Alex Tullo: 

...A trade war would be disruptive to the chemical industry. Canada, Mexico, and China are the top three US trading partners generally and the three leading export destinations for chemicals. Canada imported $29.5 billion worth of chemicals, excluding pharmaceuticals, from the US in 2024; Mexico imported $27.6 billion, and China, $14.7 billion.

Over the past decade, exports have become increasingly important to the US chemical industry. Because US petrochemical makers have access to cheap raw materials extracted from natural gas found in shale, they enjoy a cost advantage over their foreign counterparts. They have spent hundreds of billions of dollars on new capacity for products sold into export markets. For example, according to the Census Bureau, US exports of polyethylene and copolymers have more than doubled since 2014, hitting $16.5 billion in 2024. New tariffs imposed by other countries on products like these would chip away at the US advantage.

The US is also a major destination for exports from Canada, China, and Mexico. It imported $24.1 billion in chemicals from Canada, $13.8 billion from China, and $7.8 billion from Mexico last year.

Many US specialty and fine chemical makers depend on chemical intermediates that are produced mainly or exclusively in China. In 2019, the previous Trump administration erected tariffs of around 25% on many Chinese imports. At the time, US specialty chemical makers were able to appeal to the Office of the US Trade Representative to secure exclusions so that the raw materials they needed wouldn’t appear on duty lists.

Fewer than 20% of the exclusion requests were granted, notes Robert Helminiak, vice president of legal and government relations for the Society of Chemical Manufacturers and Affiliates (SOCMA), a trade group. Now there will be no such process, and US importers will have to pay the duty on all products.

“The executive order is explicit in that there are no exemptions,” Helminiak says.

It will be really interesting to see what the Chinese do in response. The Trump Administration folks seem to think that the Chinese will simply lower their prices (and there appears to be deflation in China already?). I suppose we shall see.

Have a great weekend

Well, it wasn't an entirely bad week, I felt. I hope you had a great week. I have an early Saturday - hope you have a great weekend. See you on Monday. 

Reddit: Iowa State Chemistry cancels PhD admissions for international student

Via Reddit: 

The poster is an international student. 

This is the Trump Administration's doing, and it is bad for the country. 

Washington Examiner: ACS being sued for race-based ACS Scholars program

Via the Washington Examiner: 

Nation’s top chemistry group sued over race-based scholarship

By Kaelan Deese

March 5, 2025 10:45 am

EXCLUSIVE — The nation’s largest network for scientists and chemists is facing a legal challenge over a scholarship program that allegedly blocks students from applying based on race.

The American Chemical Society, or ACS, is facing a federal lawsuit claiming its ACS Scholars Program unlawfully excludes white and Asian students, reserving eligibility for “historically underrepresented” groups such as black, Hispanic, and Native American applicants. The complaint, filed in Washington D.C. federal court by the nonprofit organization Do No Harm, argues that the program violates the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

At the center of the lawsuit is a high-achieving high school senior who was instantly deemed ineligible after disclosing her multiracial background. Identified in the lawsuit as “Member A,” she holds a 4.34 GPA, a perfect ACT science score, and a 5 on the AP Chemistry exam. The lawsuit argues ACS shut her out solely because of her race.

Here's the text of the lawsuit. I'm probably too close to both the subject matter (college admissions) and the ACS to comment rationally, but suffice it to say that I am unimpressed with the lawsuit. I think that's the limit of what I have to say in public on the matter. 

Nevertheless, a mission of this blog is to cover the American Chemical Society with a certain level of independence and to provide analysis. As an analytical matter, I don't see ACS being willing to put up with a lot of political pressure nor being willing to spend a lot of money on this. I'm not a lawyer, and so it will be interesting to see how far this gets in the courts. 

Job posting: Senior Principal Scientist/Synthetic Peptide Chemist, Process Chemistry, Vertex, Boston MA

Via Bluesky: 

Vertex is seeking an experienced peptide chemist to join the Process Chemistry group. In this lab-based position you will be responsible for the synthesis, purification, and characterization of small organic compounds, peptides and possibly peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMOs). In addition, you will be responsible for any tech transfer to external CMOs for phase appropriate development and scale-up.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the synthesis, purification, and characterization of small organic compounds, peptides, and oligonucleotides under minimal supervision
• Manage relationships with external partners
• Identify and advocate for innovative synthetic strategies to project teams

Education and Experience:

PhD 6-8 years of experience, or MS degree with 9 years or experience (or equivalent education and experience) in synthetic organic chemistry or peptide chemistry Experience managing external CROs/CMOs

Experience in nucleic acid modifications and delivery of oligonucleotides are highly desirable

Experience with small- and large-scale CS-Bio solid phase peptide synthesizers (CS136x, CS936, or equivalent) in non-GMP and GMP environments

Full ad here. Best wishes to those interested. 

MLB infielder Paul DeJong's grandmother was a Dow chemist

Via friend of the blog Stephanie, this fun article: 

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- It is not uncommon for Major League players to be influenced by a professional athlete in their family. In the Nationals' clubhouse, Darren Baker, Luis García Jr. and Marquis Grissom Jr. are among those whose fathers played in the bigs.

All-Star infielder Paul DeJong was inspired by his grandmother, Sharon Whipple -- an All-Star in her own field of work. Before he reached the Majors, DeJong considered a career as a doctor and graduated from Illinois State with a degree in biochemistry.

“She had some patents on reverse osmosis when she was working back in the day,” DeJong said. “... As a kid, I always gravitated towards science and math because she was a big proponent of that, and also my mind kind of worked the same way.”

Pretty fun article - read the whole thing!

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List: 496 research/teaching positions and 88 teaching positions

The 2025 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List (curated by Andrew Spaeth and myself) has 496 research/teaching positions and 88 teaching positions. 

Want to help out? Here's a Google Form to enter positions.

To see trending, go to Andrew Spaeth's visualization of previous years' list.

On March 3, 2024, the 2024 Chemistry Faculty Jobs List had 534 research/teaching positions and 80 teaching positions.

Want to talk anonymously? Have an update on the status of a job search? This is the link to the second open thread. This is the link to the first open thread.

Don't forget to click on "load more" below the comment box for the full thread. 

Are you having problems accessing the Google Sheet because of a Google Documents error? Email me at chemjobber@gmail.com and I will send you an Excel download of the latest sheet. 

Postdoctoral opening: new organic ligand towards lanthanide metal complexes, Daly Group, Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

From the inbox: 

The laboratory of Dr. Scott R. Daly in the University of Iowa Department of Chemistry is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Scholar to join an exciting project aimed at developing new organic ligands for the synthesis and separation of lanthanide metal complexes.

The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will be tasked with leading efforts to prepare, purify, and design organic chemicals and ligand targets for the proposed applications.

Qualified applicants must have experience and expertise in multistep organic synthesis, purification of organic chemicals and intermediates, and chemical analysis and characterization techniques such as NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Experience in synthetic coordination chemistry (especially with lanthanide elements) is viewed as desirable, though not required. Applicants with an expressed interest in developing these skills will be viewed positively...

Application Information

Candidates must submit a cover letter, CV (including publication history), research statement, and contact information for up to three professional references. Evaluation of candidates will begin on April 1, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. The earliest start date is June 1, 2025.

Full ad here. Best wishes to those interested. 

The Chemical Engineering Faculty Jobs List: 119 research/teaching positions and 17 teaching positions

The Chemical Engineering Faculty Jobs List (by Heather LeClerc and Daniyal Kiani) has 119 research/teaching positions and 17 teaching positions. 

Here is a link to the open thread for the year. 

Will the ACS address the Trump Administration's attack on academic funding?

I made a series of comments on Bluesky (more or less off the cuff), but I guess I'll make them here as well. I was thoroughly unimpressed with ACS' recent statement "in support of science": 

...Each year, the American Chemical Society develops a U.S. public policy agenda that outlines how the organization will work with Congress and the administration throughout the course of the year. The agenda is shared at the start of the year when both bodies are traditionally preparing for the year ahead. But the start of this year has been different with federal actions coming immediately. The resulting changes in the federal landscape have been swift, leaving many unsure about what lies ahead. 

We are seeing changes occurring that have potential impacts on the areas of research eligible for federal funding, the types of scientific data being reported, and the level of indirect costs associated with federal biomedical research grants. These are just some of the potential impacts facing the scientific enterprise, with new actions emerging each day...

We're in this moment that we don't really understand, with a real "fog of war" aspect, because the government simply is not actually talking about what they are doing. The Trump White House* appears to be attacking American scientific academia by cutting off funding from NSF and NIH, and slowing the process of grants and cutting indirect costs to the point that universities are beginning to slow PhD admissions (although things seem to be unfreezing now.) 

I've observed ACS leadership long enough to know that political courage or speed are simply not in the cards, and I recognize that they are probably trying to avoid attracting attention, and that the Trump Administration seems very likely to attack non-profits through the tax system for punishment. Nevertheless, simple acknowledgement of what is happening and the level of seeming existential alarm that is taking place in American academia does not seem forthcoming. I desperately hope to be proven wrong, but I'm not holding my breath. 

As I said, surely ACS leadership is working on a plan to petition the government for a redress of American academic chemistry grievances. I hope to see that plan, and very soon. 

*(seeing as how a lot of the ructions started well before, say, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. was confirmed.)