Newsgroup sci.research.careers 14036

Articles

Subject: Re: The foreign postdoc "thing". My opinion, part TWO! "On the other hand..."
From: Roberto Lattuada
Date: 10 Dec 1996 12:33:58 GMT

Well, if you really believe in what you said (which is not, I admit, far from
the truth) then one action is required from you: go back to the US where you
come from and find a job there.
Don't wait for the goverment to fix it for you, do the right thing now.
Roberto

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Subject: Re: Do we really need most of the research being done in universities?
From: "Achim Recktenwald, PhD"
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 08:12:50 -0500

Tommy Anderberg wrote:
> 
> John McGowan (jfm@rahul.net) wrote:
> : In <32ABB8B8.27F3@ultranet.com> Marc Andelman  writes:
> : >Would anyone in their right mind want to fund much of
> : >what passes for research in universities.  Here is
> : >just one example, slightly changed to protect the authors;
> 
> : >1.  Buffer uptake and  mass loss characterisitics of freeze
> : >dried hyrogel devices.   Published in a journal of pharmaceutical sciences.
> 
> : >Now, why cannot an interested private company do this sort of
> : >mundane, mind numbing, intellecutually undemanding work?  Do
> 
> Full agreement. "Applied research" (whatever that is - I call it development
> work) really belongs in industry. But of course, as long as satte funded
> institutions keep doing it "for free", industry has no reason to spend any
> of its own money on it.
[snip]
I do not know the above listed paper, but as somebody working in a small
biopharmaceutical company (~45 employees), I would like to comment.
Very likely the institute or research group which published the paper
has an in depth knowledge about hydrogels. It might even be a 'leader'
in its field. 
Especially small biotech-companies, like my own, do not have sufficient
staff to do everything in house. The usual solution is to look for a
renowned group in a university service-industry (e.g. analytical labs,
institutes specialized on animal tests, specialists for clinical trials,
...) and contract the specific task out. 
From my experience, these collarborative projects with industry provide
very sought after extra income for universities. Sometimes, as at least
in one case with IBEX, the collaboration does not only provide some
extra income for the lab, but the university lab gains easy access to a
novel source for its own research. 
For example, we are working with bacterial enzymes degrading
glycosaminoglycans. Several of thse enzymes are glycosylated. Since we
were about to enter clinical trials with one specific enzyme, we asked a
university-group to determine the structure of the glycosylation. This
structure turned out to be completely different from any eukaryotic one.
Achim

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Subject: Looking for position in Nuclear Engineering or related fields
From: "Alexander P. Barzilov"
Date: 10 Dec 1996 13:26:32 GMT

Hello!
I am looking for research position (postdoc) in Nuclear Engineering or
related fields. Currently, I work as a research scientist in the field of
nuclear reactor and neutron physics at the State Scientific Center of the
Russian Federation - Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (IPPE). I
have 4 years of professional experience. You can find information about
IPPE at the WWW site: . I have Master degree and
finishing my Ph.D. dissertation (both in Nuclear Engineering), expected
date July 1997. 
Please find enclosed my resume (you can also see it at my home page).
If there is any other information which you need, please contact me.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely yours,
Alexander P. Barzilov, research scientist
Technical Physics Laboratory,   Institute of Physics & Power Engineering
1, Bondarenko Sq., Obninsk, Russia 249020
Voice: +7(084)3995371   Fax:+7(095)8833112    E-mail: barzilov@ippe.rssi.ru
Home page 
=========================================================
RESUME:
Work address:
Institute of Physics and Power Engineering
1, Bondarenko Sq., Obninsk 249020 RUSSIA
fax: +7(095)8833112  phone: +7(08439)95371
e-mail: barzilov@ippe.rssi.ru
Home address:
#807 Gorky street 6, Obninsk 249020  RUSSIA
Home phone +7(08439)97826
Home Page 
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name and Surname: Alexander P. BARZILOV
Gender:	               male
Date of Birth:	   October 11, 1968
Nationality:	   Russian
Citizenship:	   Russian Federation
Marital Status:      married, no children
Health:	               excellent
OBJECTIVE
To obtain the possibility of working in research laboratory, engineering
company or of any post doctoral experience, which would allow me to utilize
my experimental and theoretical abilities in nuclear reactor physics,
nuclear engineering, mathematical modeling and numerical simulation,
programming skills, and to obtain new experience.
AREAS OF INTEREST
Theoretical and experimental problems in nuclear engineering, physics of
nuclear reactors and related fields, preferably in connection with computer
modeling or optimization of processes (e.g. numerical simulation of reactor
neutronics for steady-state and unsteady-state mode, thermal dynamics,
radiation transport, fuel cycle analysis, etc.). Nuclear power plant and
reactor safety, research pulsed reactors, nuclear pumped lasers
(reactor-lasers), physics of coupled reactors, hybrid reactors, new fission
(fusion) reactor/equipment concepts.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia	1993-present
Technical Physics Laboratory, Nuclear Laser and Fusion Studies Division
Research scientist in the field of nuclear reactor physics
Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia	1995-present
Nuclear Pumped Lasers (NPL) Department
Teaching assistant, Nuclear Reactor Physics course
Computer software firm , Obninsk, Russia   1992-1993
Educational Center
Lecturer, Computer and Network course
Joint Stock Company , Obninsk, Russia	1992-1993
Programmer analyst and system network operator 
Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia	1990-1992
Electrophysics Department
Research assistant 
EDUCATION
Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia	1985-1993
Nuclear Physics Department
Diploma of Higher Education (equivalent of Master of Science degree) in
Nuclear Engineering
Master's research provided a study of coupled reactor physics. Project is
entitled: .
Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia	1993-1996
Post graduate course, Ph.D. degree in Nuclear Engineering
Dr.'s research is devoted to problems of simulation and optimization of the
complex pulsed reactor-laser system neutronics and power characteristics
(still in progress, expected date - July 1997).
PARTICIPATION IN RESEARCH PROJECTS
1.  Theoretical and experimental studies of coupled reactor system  physics using UKS-1M critical
assembly (have been finished);
2.  Nuclear safety studies for start-up of two-zone fast burst reactor
BARS6 (official approval of Nuclear Safety Commission  has
been received; first criticality and power programs of reactor start-up
have been successfully carried out);
3.  Nuclear pumped lasing experiments on fast burst reactor BARS6 (first
experiments have been successfully made; still in progress);
4.  Nuclear Laser facility  (still in progress).
NEW REACTOR CONCEPTS PROPOSED
ž Pulsed Laser System Pumped with a Pulse Periodic Reactor;
ž Coupled Blanket System; 
ž Hybrid Fission-Fusion Reactor Initiated by a Laser.
COMPUTER SKILLS
- MCNP, RELAP, etc. user;
- Extensive knowledge of the programming languages C, C++, FORTRAN 77,
BASIC, HTML;
ž Experience at working in VMS, UNIX, DOS, OS/2, Windows 3.x and Windows 95
operating system environments;
ž Thorough knowledge of word-processing, spreadsheet and mathematical
applications software (e.g. Microsoft Word and Excel, Access, Paradox,
Corel Draw!, Harvard Graphics, Golden Software, Mathcad, etc.);
ž Knowledge of the PC/network hardware and software.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES AND HONORS
Supervision of M.S. diploma workers and undergraduate projects. M.S.'s
works supervised:
1. V.Yu.Mendrin, , Institute of Nuclear Power
Engineering, Phys.&Math.; Dept., Obninsk, February 1996
2. R.I.Shakirzjanov, , Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering, Phys.&Math.; Dept.,
Obninsk, February 1997 (scheduled date, still in progress);
The 1st prize-winner of Academ. Leypunsky's Competition for young
scientists in 1996 (in two sections: Reactor Physics; Mathematical
Simulation and Numerical Methods) and in 1994 (in section Mathematical
Simulation and Numerical Methods); the 1 st prize-winner of Ukrainian
Nuclear Society for the best scientific report (1996).
 Member of the Russian Nuclear Society; Member of the Russian Geographical
Society; Member of Obninsk Club of Scientists.
LANGUAGES
English, basic knowledge of German.
REFERENCES
Available upon request
PUBLICATIONS (list of all publications with samples of papers see at
)
A.P. Barzilov and E.A. Pashin, , Trans.Amer. Nucl. Soc., Suppl. #1 to vol.67
(1993).
A.P. Barzilov, A.V. Gulevich, P.P. Dyachenko, A.V. Zrodnikov, V.N. Kononov,
O.F. Kukharchuk and V.Ya. Poupko, , 2nd Intern. Conf. on Physics of Nuclear Induced Plasmas and
Problems of Nuclear Pumped Lasers, eds. A.M.Voinov, S.P. Melnikov, and A.A.
Sinyanskii, VNIIEF, Arzamas-16, vol.2 (1994).
A.P. Barzilov, A.V. Gulevich, A.V. Zrodnikov, et al, , 2nd Intern. Conf. on Physics of Nuclear Induced
Plasmas and Problems of Nuclear Pumped Lasers, eds. A.M.Voinov, S.P.
Melnikov, and A.A. Sinyanskii, VNIIEF, Arzamas-16, vol.2 (1994).
A.P. Barzilov, A.V. Gulevich, A.V. Zrodnikov, B.V. Kachanov, O.F.
Kukharchuk and E.A. Pashin, , 2nd Intern. Conf. on Physics of Nuclear
Induced Plasmas and Problems of Nuclear Pumped Lasers, eds. A.M.Voinov,
S.P. Melnikov, and A.A. Sinyanskii, VNIIEF, Arzamas-16, vol.1 (1994).
A.P. Barzilov, et al, , in Proc. Int. Conf. Laser Interactions and Related
Plasma Phenomena, Osaka, Japan (1995).
A.P. Barzilov, A.V. Gulevich, A.V. Zrodnikov, O.F. Kukharchuk, V.B. Polevoy
and L.P. Feoktistov,  in IEEE/NPSS 16th Symposium Fusion Engineering,
eds. G.H. Miley and C.M. Elliott, IEEE, Pescataway, NJ (1996).
V.N. Kononov, P.P. Dyachenko, A.P. Barzilov, et al, , in Proc. Int. Conf. on Emerging
Nuclear Energy Systems, Obninsk, Russia (1996).
A.P. Barzilov, et al, ,
in Proc. Int. Conf. on Emerging Nuclear Energy Systems, Obninsk, Russia
(1996).
A.P. Barzilov, A.V. Gulevich, O.F. Kukharchuk and E.A. Pashin, , in Int. Scientific
Congress of Students and Young Researchers , Obninsk, Russia (1996).

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Subject: Re: Industry or academia?
From: MURIANAP@foodsci.purdue.edu (Pete Muriana)
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 09:24:51 LOCAL

In article <58i0st$4p4@ssbunews.ih.lucent.com> reiley@klystron.flw.att.com (Dan Reiley) writes: >Some advantages of big industry: >Some drawbacks of big industry: >Some advantages of small industry >Some drawbacks of small industry >Some advantages of academia >Some drawbacks of academia: >Dan Reiley, Ph.D. Bell Labs Naperville, IL >daniel.j.reiley@lucent.com (630)713-5444 Having worked in big industry corporate R&D; and now in academia, I think this is an excellent brief description of what to expect in each sector. Good going Dan. -Regards, Peter ********************************************************************** Peter M. Muriana Associate Professor 317-494-8284 TEL Dept. of Food Science 317-494-7953 FAX Purdue University murianap@foodsci.purdue.edu Smith Hall http://www.foodsci.purdue.edu/ W. Lafayette, IN 47907-1160 personnel/muriana.html ********************************************************************** The opinions expressed above are mine alone and do not represent endorsement by my employer **********************************************************************
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Subject: Re: Industry or academia?
From: reiley@klystron.flw.att.com (Dan Reiley)
Date: 10 Dec 1996 14:39:16 GMT

In article , Arthur E. Sowers wrote: >> >> Some advantages of big industry: > >The biggest advantage, compared to academia, is that in large prestigeous >universities, YOU have to come up with your salary from grants that YOU >have to win. In big industry, THEY have the money to pay (fully fund) your >salary! This really isn't the case. In industry, projects rarely get funded based on formal proposals; but this situation can make it even tougher to get a project going. If the direct chain of command doesn't like your project, getting funding is a very nebulous process. Even if your project is blessed by the direct chain of command, you always have to fight off raids of your money from budget cutters, other projects, and the funders themselves. Unlike the grant process, this process has NO structure imposed on it; consequently, the possibilities for drastic, arbitrary, and immediate changes are probably greater. -- Dan Reiley, Ph.D. Bell Labs Naperville, IL daniel.j.reiley@lucent.com (630)713-5444
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Subject: RE: Industry or Academia
From: richardz@cy-net.net
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 08:31:13 -0600

I think the idea that you can move from industry or governement to academics is attractive, but unfortunately I don't think that is the way things generally work. Typically the research universities want proof that their new hire can bring in grant money. If you have been working in industry or in government you can probably not provide that as your employer has been paying the bills. Hence, your application will probably not be considered unless you are truely a "name" or a "scientific VIP." As most of us will not achieve such stature, I think the idea that one can move form industry or government to academia is somewhat incorrect. Sure, some people do make the change transition. My intuition on this is that these folks are relatively rare individuals or the circumstances are relatively unique. -------------------==== Posted via Deja News ====----------------------- http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Post to Usenet
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Subject: Re: The foreign postdoc "thing". My opinion, part TWO! "On the other hand..."
From: cecora@sf.fal.de (Jim Cecora)
Date: 10 Dec 1996 15:42:02 GMT

Dear Jamie, As a long-time American expatriate scientist, I can confirm that there is much truth in what you wrote in both your postings. Some things I could expand on, but where could I begin. Let me ust comment on your "solution" elaborated in your second posting: Whether or not there is a law is not going to alter the 'problem' because, as you amply illustrated, there is always a way to circumnavigate it. It is better to face up to reality that we are embedded in a global economy, a global social environment, a 'Global village'. It is going to be increasingly difficult for countries, populations, etc. to devise and enforce self-isolation policies or to create islands of affluence on this planet. There can be no national pools of scientists to choose from; that would certainly be detrimental to science itself. Politicians must thus start to formulate global strategies for alleviating poverty - or poverty will come, step by step, home to us all. Please continue to "always look at the bright side of life" as you did in your first posting. Who cares if someone's American, Scotch, German, or whatever; either you accept the individual or you don't. And, as you no doubt know, it is surprising just how innovative you yourself can be in a foreign environment. Regards, Jim C
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Subject: Re: Industry or academia?
From: richardz@cy-net.net (richard)
Date: 10 Dec 1996 15:12:43 GMT

In article , "Arthur E. Sowers" says: > > >I have a couple of comments on Dan's usually substantially correct >assessment of things. See below. An area which he did not mention involves >some government jobs and some military jobs with a science/technology >component. In these cases, you may not have to worry so much about where >your salary comes from (if its permanent rather than contract) AND you get >to go home at 5 pm and not worry about work until 9 am the next day. > Above concerning government jobs is not really accurate. Research is research and it invariably requires after hours work, worry about funding, concerns over publication numbers, and office politics. The big downside to either industrial research or government research as compared to academic research is the lost freedom to do what you find intellectually stimulating. Outside of academia where the researcher applies for his own grants and tailors the requests and the work to his own inner self, the industrial and government scientist MUST do what the employer wants done.
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Subject: Re: Do we really need most of the research being done in universities?
From: DrHeasley@Chemistry.com (Frank)
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 17:27:27 GMT

On Sun, 08 Dec 1996 22:59:04 -0800, Marc Andelman wrote: >Would anyone in their right mind want to fund much of >what passes for research in universities? An interesting point. Carry it a bit farther. Would anyone in their right mind want to fund most of the jobs that are being done in general? How about most people - what percentage of us could truly claim to be essential to the human race? Where does one draw the line? I think it comes down to one's own definition of the essential. From a puritan's viewpoint, only work that serves to further survival is worth doing, ie food, shelter and reproduction. From a hedonist's point of view, only that which serves to further pleasure is worth doing. I think that the answer is somewhere between. If we allow our definition of worthiness to swing too far in either direction we run the risks of becoming either a) sour-faced puritans or b) ne'er do well sybarites. Society tends to self correct between these polarities. Perhaps much of what passes for research is frivolous, some of it is certainly even fraudulent, but in science there is one thing you can count on: the truth will always ultimately be discovered. Frank Heasley, Ph.D. Principal FSG Online - Careers in Science, Biotechnology and Medicine http://www.chemistry.com
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Subject: Re: Industry or Academia
From: "Rebecca M. Chamberlin"
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 10:38:22 +0000

richardz@cy-net.net wrote: > > I think the idea that you can move from industry or governement > to academics is attractive, but unfortunately I don't think > that is the way things generally work. etc... It certainly doesn't happen every day, but my Ph.D. alma mater hired a solid-state chemist from Bell Labs and a polymer chemist from DuPont Central Research, within a 5-year timespan. Both were in their mid-40's and had phenomenal publication records. As is true of most senior-faculty hires, they were heavily recruited by the university. I didn't mean to imply it was EASY, but it's nice work if you can get it!!! :-) Cheers, Becky
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Subject: SAS Pharm Jobs in PA/NJ/DE
From: Loren King
Date: 10 Dec 1996 10:24:05 -0800

Enjoy the flexibility of the consultant lifestyle while benefiting from the stability of working with an industry leader. Our clients consist primarily of Fortune 500 companies excellent compensation for Philadelphia area SAS opportunities. We invite you to check out our web site at: http://www.edpcs.com In recognition of the value of your network of professional contacts, EDP Contract Services will provide a cash incentive to you for IT Professionals that you refer and are placed by EDP Contract Services. Put Us To Work For You! Code: 2239/SAS/1206 Duration: 6 Months Position: Senior Programmer / Analyst Duties: Assist in design and writing of the system design specification and the development for the new Safety Assessment Statistical System Requires: SAS, Oracle SQL and MS Office experience Location: Western Philadelphia Suburbs Salary: $30-40 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 2238/SAS/1206 Duration: 7 Months Position: Senior Programmer / Analyst Duties: Establish criteria for data edit & review, identify parameters in protocol, make corrections & complete consistency checks against Case Report Forms (CRF). Requires: Extensive SAS, Oracle, Unix and MS Office experience Location: Central New Jersey Salary: $35-45 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 2202/SAS/1206 Duration: 6 Months Position: Data Analyst Duties: Establish criteria for data edit & review, identify parameters in protocol, make corrections & complete consistency checks against Case Report Forms (CRF). Requires: Strong SAS PC skills Location: Wilmington, Delaware Salary: $25-35 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 2183/SAS/1206 Duration: 4 Months Position: Senior Programmer / Analyst Duties: Work on Phase IV and V Clinical Trials Requires: SAS, Clinical Trials and VAX experience Location: Northwest Philadelphia Suburbs Salary: $30-40 per hour / commensurate with experience Note: Position will become permanent after 90 days ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 2174/SAS/1206 Duration: 3 Months Position: Programmer / Analyst Duties: Work on pedigree engineering certification Requires: SAS and SAS/Graph experience Location: Northwest Philadelphia Suburbs Salary: $30-35 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 2130/SAS/1206 Duration: 6 Months Position: SAS Programmer Duties: Develop tools for user-friendly access to large diverse databases currently stored on IBM mainframe used for epidemiological and outcomes research. Requires: SAS, SAS/AF and IBM Mainframe Desired: Systems background experience Location: Northwest Philadelphia Suburbs Salary: $35-40 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 2115/SAS/1206 Duration: 6 Months Position: SAS Programmer Duties: Develop Phase II & III Clinical Trials reporting applications Requires: SAS, VMS and Clinical Trials Desired: Systems background experience Location: Western Philadelphia Suburbs Salary: $35-40 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 2080/SAS/1206 Duration: 3 Months Position: Programmer / Analyst Duties: Perform validation and enhancements to existing clinical reports Requires: Strong SAS skills Desired: VMS experience Location: Northwest Philadelphia suburbs Salary: $35-45 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 2072/SAS/1206 Duration: 3 Months Position: Programmer / Analyst Duties: Perform enhancements to clinical reporting applications using SAS Base and SAS Macro on a VAX/VMS platform Requires: SAS and Clinical Trials experience Location: Northwest Philadelphia suburbs Salary: $25-35 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 2046/SAS/1206 Duration: 2 Months Position: Technical Consultant Duties: PH CLINICAL software installation and support Requires: VMS and Clinical Trials experience. Location: Western Philadelphia Suburbs Salary: $30-40 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 2001/SAS/1206 Duration: 12 Months Position: Programmer / Analyst Requires: Strong BASE SAS background and a working knowledge of MS Office Desired: SAS Macro and AF are desired Location: Northwest Philadelphia Suburbs Salary: $25-35 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 1931/SAS/1206 Duration: 12 Months Position: Analyst Duties: Support the clinical reporting teams for drug study applications Requires: SAS, Oracle and VMS experience Location: Northwest Philadelphia Suburbs Salary: $25-35 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 1900/SAS/1206 Duration: 6 Months Position: Programmer / Analyst Duties: Work in a clinical trials environment Requires: SAS, IBM Mainframe and JCL experience Location: Northwest Philadelphia Suburbs Salary: $25-35 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 1881/SAS/1206 Duration: 6 Months Position: Statistician Duties: Participate in the development of a Phase Three cardiovascular clinical application Requires: Pharmaceutical experience along with a strong statistical analysis background Location: Western Philadelphia Suburbs Salary: $35-45 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 1779/SAS/1206 Duration: 6 Months Position: Programmer / Analyst Duties: Develop clinical applications under VAX/VMS Requires: SAS, VAX/VMS and clinical trials experience Location: Northwest Philadelphia suburbs Salary: $30-40 per hour / commensurate with experience Note: Excellent chance for performance based extension. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 1776/SAS/1206 Duration: 6 Months Position: Statistician Duties: Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials applications Requires: SAS experience Location: Northwest Philadelphia suburbs Salary: $35-45 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 1706/SAS/1206 Duration: 6 Months Position: Senior Programmer / Analyst Duties: Participate in the development of Clinical Trials applications Requires: SAS, VMS and Clinical Trials experience Location: Northwest Philadelphia suburbs Salary: $30-40 per hour / commensurate with experience Note: Excellent chance for performance based extension. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 1635/SAS/1206 Duration: 6 Months Position: Programmer / Analyst Duties: Load data from ASCII, Btrieve or MS Access files into SAS files Requires: SAS BASE & MACRO experience Location: Wilmington, Delaware Salary: $25-35 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Code: 1459/SAS/1206 Duration: 6 Months Position: Senior Programmer / Analyst Duties: Load data from ASCII, Btrieve or MS Access files into SAS files Requires: Minimum of 3-4 years of SAS, clinical, pharmaceutical or related experience Location: Central New Jersey Salary: $30-40 per hour / commensurate with experience ----------------------------------------------------------------- Please forward your resume to: Loren King, Technical Recruiting EDP Contract Services 401 City Ave., Suite 915 Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 610 667-8735 (fax) 610 667-2990 (voice) e-mail: balacynwyd@edpcs.com ----------------------------------------------------------------- The Southeast Pennsylvania / Tri-State area has the highest demand for SAS professionals in the country, and EDP is the leading provider for professional DP contractors in the area. We are seeking talented individuals with paid/professional experience, residing in U.S., for additional SAS opportunities. U.S. Citizenship, Green Card, F-1 or TN eligibility required.
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Subject: Postdoc: Landscape Modeling
From: jessie@iastate.edu
Date: 10 Dec 1996 10:23:01 -0800

Postdoctoral Position to create Spatially-Explicit Population Models of Terrestrial Vertebrates In Agricultural Landscapes ***** I am looking to fill a postdoctoral position with someone who will assist in creating spatial simulation models of terrestrial vertebrate populations (especially small mammals) in Iowa watersheds. This work is part of a larger collaborative project with researchers at Oregon State University and the University of Minnesota. The project is funded by a joint program between the National Science Foundation and the Environmental Protection Agency - Partners for Environmental Research Program. Previous studies have resulted in high resolution spatial data of landscapes in six watersheds in Iowa. These landscapes will be used to develop a base model for terrestrial vertebrate populations. Meanwhile, collaborating PI's will develop several potential alternative futures for these watersheds based on trends in agricultural regulatory policies, market-driven farming practices, sustainable agricultural technology, etc. The simulation model will then be used to predict potential outcomes for a variety of wildlife species under each of these hypothetical alternative scenarios. This position is for one year with the possibility of renewal for two additional years if suitable progress is being made. The position is available beginning 1 January 1997, however, a deferred start date is negotiable. Qualifications: Requirements for this position include a PhD in population ecology or a related field, significant experience in constructing simulation-based population models, familiarity with Arc/Info's GIS, and a willingness to contribute to the intellectual atmosphere of a diverse group of faculty and graduate students. Salary: Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience. Application: Send a letter explaining your qualifications, experience, and research interests; a CV; relevant publications/manuscripts; and the names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least three references to my address listed below. Application deadline: 31 December 1996, or until position is filled If you have any other questions about this position, please contact me via email or phone. The pertinent information for reaching me is listed below. ___________ Brent Danielson 124 Science II Dept. Animal Ecology Iowa St. Univ. Ames, IA 50011-3221 email: Brent@iastate.edu phone: 515.294.5248 webpage http://www.public.iastate.edu/~codi/ ___________ Truth is the intersection of independent lies - R. Levins 1966
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Subject: Re: Might you do better in Japan?
From: stgprao@sugarland.unocal.COM (Richard Ottolini)
Date: 10 Dec 1996 18:59:37 GMT

Both Science and Nature have recently discussed the Japanese government's plan to double internal graduate degrees by the year 2000. That plan involves a large influx of new funds into universities and grant agencies. A side-effect is more post-doctoral opportunities although there is complaint about a "glass ceiling" against foreigners for permanant positions.
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Subject: Re: Industry or Academia
From: d-turnb@students.uiuc.edu (Doug Turnbull)
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 13:28:25 -0600

In article <32AD3D9E.44C1@lanl.gov>, "Rebecca M. Chamberlin" wrote: > richardz@cy-net.net wrote: > > > > I think the idea that you can move from industry or governement > > to academics is attractive, but unfortunately I don't think > > that is the way things generally work. > etc... > > It certainly doesn't happen every day, but my Ph.D. alma mater hired a > solid-state chemist from Bell Labs and a polymer chemist from DuPont > Central Research, within a 5-year timespan. Both were in their mid-40's > and had phenomenal publication records. As is true of most > senior-faculty hires, they were heavily recruited by the university. > > I didn't mean to imply it was EASY, but it's nice work if you can get > it!!! :-) I think it really depends on the nature of the industry job (and the department which is hiring). Certainly, someone who is doing research in industry might be more likely to be hired into an engineering department rather than a physics department. However, there still is some basic research going on outside of academia, more at government labs than in industry. My advisor spent ~20 years at the Naval Research Lab before coming to Illinois. Several of his former colleagues are also now at universities. In addition to having a track record in basic research, NRL also gets substantial funding from outside sources, so my advisor did have experience competing for and bringing home grant money. I don't know how normal this is at government labs, though. Doug Turnbull
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Subject: Re: How to hire foreigners even if qualified Americans exist
From: dlv@bwalk.dm.com (Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM)
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 96 12:59:37 EST

m9303@abc.se (Tommy Anderberg) writes: > Systems Engineering Research Corp. (serc.ada@ix.netcom.com) wrote: > > : Here is how companies can legally hire foreigners even while > : qualified American engineers and scientists are out of work. > > [...] > > Please answer this: why does the company WANT to do that? Because they pay the forriner 1/2 of what an American would get. --- Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM Brighton Beach Boardwalk BBS, Forest Hills, N.Y.: +1-718-261-2013, 14.4Kbps
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Subject: Re: How to hire foreigners even if qualified Americans exist
From: m9303@abc.se (Tommy Anderberg)
Date: 10 Dec 1996 23:47:31 GMT

Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM (dlv@bwalk.dm.com) wrote: : m9303@abc.se (Tommy Anderberg) writes: : > Systems Engineering Research Corp. (serc.ada@ix.netcom.com) wrote: : > : > : Here is how companies can legally hire foreigners even while : > : qualified American engineers and scientists are out of work. : > : > [...] : > : > Please answer this: why does the company WANT to do that? : Because they pay the forriner 1/2 of what an American would get. So the real complaint here is "That !@#$! guy was willing to work for a salary which I wouldn't accept". Doesn't look all that rational to me, and not necessarily related to nationality either (is an American more desperate for a job than you, and hence prepared to work for a lower salary, any different from the "forriner"?). -- Tommy Anderberg Tommy.Anderberg@abc.se
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Subject: Scientist .vs. Engineer
From: fethi bellamine
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 20:22:58 -0800

I wonder if some of you would agree that the main difference between a scientist and an engineer is that a scientist has the ability to formulate rules (similar to theorems) while an engineer, makes a decision about what rules to use to implement a needed product. Now, the other thing that I am wondering about whether knowledge had expanded enough that we do not really need that many scientists anymore and that stress should be on comprehending fully these rules, practice them, and develop products that are useful to the human being, especially in the sectors of health and communications. Any thoughts?
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Subject: Re: How to hire foreigners even if qualified Americans exist
From: "Wayne S. Pelouch, PhD"
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 08:50:41 +0800

Tommy Anderberg wrote: > > Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM (dlv@bwalk.dm.com) wrote: > : m9303@abc.se (Tommy Anderberg) writes: > > : > Systems Engineering Research Corp. (serc.ada@ix.netcom.com) wrote: > : > > : > : Here is how companies can legally hire foreigners even while > : > : qualified American engineers and scientists are out of work. > : > [...] > : > > : > Please answer this: why does the company WANT to do that? > > : Because they pay the forriner 1/2 of what an American would get. > > So the real complaint here is "That !@#$! guy was willing to work for a > salary which I wouldn't accept". Doesn't look all that rational to me, and > not necessarily related to nationality either (is an American more desperate > for a job than you, and hence prepared to work for a lower salary, any > different from the "forriner"?). > > Tommy Anderberg > Tommy.Anderberg@abc.se I am not arguing either way, but clearly supply-and-demand become a factor. Any foreign source of labor increases supply and decreases demand. In the current environment of large supply and low demand for scientists, all our wages will fall... it sounds to me like more of a global phenomenon (i.e., not restricted to the USA). Just my $0.02 -Wayne -- ##################################################################### # Wayne S. Pelouch, PhD # pelouch@cyllene.uwa.edu.au # # Lions Eye Institute # # # Nedlands, Western Australia # Laser Scientist #
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Subject: Re: Scientist .vs. Engineer
From: kenton@rahul.net (Ken Lee)
Date: 11 Dec 1996 01:54:07 GMT

In article <32AE3722.358F@sympatico.ca>, fethi bellamine writes: |> I wonder if some of you would agree that the main difference between |> a scientist and an engineer is that a scientist has the ability to |> formulate rules (similar to theorems) while an engineer, makes a decision |> about what rules to use to implement a needed product. This is overly simplistic. Many engineers do "formulate rules" (and theorems), especially when designing totally new categories of products. Also, many scientists do not forumlate rules, e.g., those that collect or generate data to prove or disprove someone else's hypothesis. The line between scientists and engineers is very blurred, especially in industry-funded research and applied research. Are pharmaceuticals researchers scientists or engineers? |> Now, the other thing that I am wondering about whether knowledge had |> expanded enough that we do not really need that many scientists anymore |> and that stress should be on comprehending fully these rules, practice |> them, and develop products that are useful to the human being, especially |> in the sectors of health and communications. I think the old proverb applies: the more you learn, the more you learn about how much you don't know. Ken
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Subject: Re: Industry or academia?
From: "Arthur E. Sowers"
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 21:23:27 -0500

Dan, I really beg to differ on your comment below... On 10 Dec 1996, Dan Reiley wrote: > In article , > Arthur E. Sowers wrote: > >> > >> Some advantages of big industry: > > > >The biggest advantage, compared to academia, is that in large prestigeous > >universities, YOU have to come up with your salary from grants that YOU > >have to win. In big industry, THEY have the money to pay (fully fund) your > >salary! > > This really isn't the case. What part of my statement are you saying is not the case? In industry, projects rarely get funded > based on formal proposals; but this situation can make it even tougher > to get a project going. If the direct chain of command doesn't like > your project, getting funding is a very nebulous process. Even if > your project is blessed by the direct chain of command, you always > have to fight off raids of your money from budget cutters, other > projects, and the funders themselves. Unlike the grant process, this > process has NO structure imposed on it; consequently, the possibilities > for drastic, arbitrary, and immediate changes are probably greater. The point I was making, and I KNOW it is true, is that in most industry jobs, the employee is hired when money is already available! That job is in effect as long as there is money in the budget. The responsibility for getting and keeping (and justifying) that money belongs to the supervisor of the employee, and not the employee. When a supervisor learns of a cut, or generates that cut him/herself, then they can notify the appropriate employees. An academic faculty member whose salary is 100% dependent on funding obtained from the outside of the institution is 100% responsible for raising his own salary and when it runs out, or does not get renewed, that faculty member automatically loses his job. This situation is common, especially at research institutes and health science centers. And, it has nothing to do with the quality of the work produced. In industry, if a group's funding is at risk, then at least the supervisor, if he is skilfull and knowledgeable of the turf wars and the company "pulse beat", he has an "inside" chance to keep his group intact. In academia, the PI almost always deals with "outside" entities with which there is absolutely no recourse, no appeal, and no counter arguing or counter proposing or negotiating. In one semi-commercial environment with which I was familiar, al the groups had to rejustify their budgets every year. The heads were always concerned about getting non-approvals from the director. But in the 12 years of that reign, some individuals were laid off and only one group was terminated. All of the other dozen groups were always "renewed" and thus represented as stable of a employment picture as I could see as existing. Indeed it was rare for a secretary or a technician to lose thier job. But I new of an uncomfortable number of PhDs, who had absolute responsibility for getting their salary off a grant, leave because of non funding. What about the technicians? They just walked accross the hall or down the hall because there was almost always an opening or two that "inside" people always had a bettter chance to get because everyone knew each other. Now, if you have some comparable numbers, data, or other information which indicates a worse turnover because of corporate "flip-flops," on-again-off-again policy/strategy shifts, or large numbers of start ups and shut doens, then please tell us about it. The major fears, in industry, are the sweeping reorganizations that lead to major layoffs and your little turf battles are nothing compared to major flushes. > -- > Dan Reiley, Ph.D. Bell Labs Naperville, IL > daniel.j.reiley@lucent.com (630)713-5444 > > Art Sowers
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Subject: Re: Industry or academia?
From: "Arthur E. Sowers"
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 21:30:39 -0500

On 10 Dec 1996, richard wrote: > In article , "Arthur E. Sowers" says: > > > > > >I have a couple of comments on Dan's usually substantially correct > >assessment of things. See below. An area which he did not mention involves > >some government jobs and some military jobs with a science/technology > >component. In these cases, you may not have to worry so much about where > >your salary comes from (if its permanent rather than contract) AND you get > >to go home at 5 pm and not worry about work until 9 am the next day. > > > Above concerning government jobs is not really accurate. Research is > research and it invariably requires after hours work, worry about > funding, concerns over publication numbers, and office politics. > > The big downside to either industrial research or government research > as compared to academic research is the lost freedom to do what > you find intellectually stimulating. Outside of academia where the > researcher applies for his own grants and tailors the requests and the work > to his own inner self, the industrial and government scientist MUST > do what the employer wants done. > > > There is not as much academic freedom in academia any more. Where grants are required, the PI must have interests and tallents that are parallel to the programatic objectives of the granting agenciess. At small colleges, where you might be able to be a taxonomist, ecologist, etc., or otherwise do research on very small budgets, then yes you can be fairly free to pursue your interests. One thing I failed to mention about government/military jobs is that many are going from permanent to temporary, and some of these agencies are making their employees go for grants, too. Many are scheduled for further downsizing in the future, too. Truly unfortunate. Art Sowers
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Subject: Re: Three Immutable Laws of Networking
From: "Arthur E. Sowers"
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 21:54:25 -0500

On 10 Dec 1996 ackolbert@aol.com wrote: > Is this the law of three in action? Posting the same message three > times!?? Andrew, I'm glad I wasn't the only one to notice three posts. Maybe its corolary A to one of the laws: self promotion is facilitated by either speaking louder than others, or repeating oneself a few extra times just in case somebody misses something. The same principle applies to TV commercials. > Seriously, though what can you really get done in three minutes (other > than boil an egg)?. I generally had either sucessful phone calls that > lasted 10-20 minutes or so or bad ones that ended after one or two. This is very similar to my experience, too. I find, in normal life, that there are people that I find "easy to talk with" and other people who are "hard to talk with". Needless to say, I have long pleasant conversations with the former, and short and worthless conversations with the latter. When "networkers" initiate conversations with me, it usually takes about 200 milliseconds for me to figure it out (I get the same "radar echo" when I get a telemarketing call at home), and I find myself wanting to get away from them as fas as possible. The more clever networkers disguise their purpose so that they can keep me on the phone long enough to actually attract my interest. Sometime after a minute or two, the real purpose of the call comes through and I always have the same reaction: hang up on them as soon as possible, or sooner. I listened to a networker "network" with someone in a parking lot and I "picked up" on what was going on much sooner than the "mark." This type of "manipulation" is so much akin to what makes the bad reputation of used car salesmen, for me, that I think its not very advisable to try to do too much networking. Some people are "naturals" at it. They have gregarious, warm, charismatic personalities that make you feel they could sell you anything and you'd buy it. For those who are not "naturals" at it, it (networking) may fizzle out or backfire. Another problem with networking is that you can wind up spending so much time networking that it cuts into legitamit work that actually might help you get a job the normal way. Another bad thing about thw whole networking scheme is that it ends up being a subtle form of discrimination against those who don't do it or are not good at it. After all, you might be a good guy, but if you don't "sound good" (in an interview) or "know" someone, then you don't get the job. Its a form of injustice that many of us have to live with. I was curious to read in a newspaer article that rich people very often go to their friends for financial advice, and not financial experts or people who really know what they are doing. This is a similar paradigm to the "its not what you know, its who you know" aspect of job hunting. The question is often "do you know anyone who.. does 'X'?" instead of "how do we find the best person for this job?" > Regards, > > Andrew > > Regards, Art Sowers
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Subject: Re: Might you do better in Japan?
From: tina@postman.riken.go.jp (Tina Marie Briere)
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 02:08:08 GMT

I'm replying to Art's email.... the post hasn't shown up on my newserver yet. Art Sowers wrote: >Tina: Could you tell all of us a little more about how you got your >postdoc in Japan? Rationale, details, ultimate plans/hopes, and whether >you could make some time in your life to answer any inquiries (email or >snail mail) from others who might be interested in following your >footsteps? > >Art Sowers I first came to Japan as a graduate student, with NSF's "Summer Institute in Japan" program. The NSF and JISTEC work really hard to give graduate students an introduction to research in Japan. This includes working with a research group, language lessons, intense discussions concerning research in Japan and a group tour of Kyoto. The stipend is quite generous, and there is also a separate budget for professional trips around Japan to meet other researchers besides your host. I highly recommend this program for any grad student interested in working in Japan. Unfortunately, the deadline for next summer's institute was Dec.1. (This program is now available for Korea as well.) I later came to Japan for various reasons, including the fact that I had very good research contacts here (I've been working the field of theoretical applications to muon science, and there are strong muon groups at RIKEN, where I worked, and U. of Tokyo.) Later, I applied for a JSPS fellowship through the NSF, and now I'm working in a new but related field of research at the Institute for Solid State Physics at U. of Tokyo. In Japan, I have more computing power than I ever dreamed of, a comfortable office, and a group of young and enthusiastic scientists to work with. Scientifically, this postdoc is a great opportunity for me. I haven't decided on my ultimate career path, and if I will ulitmately leave research. As for how this will affect my future... several people in this newsgroup have discussed the negative impact of working in a different country while trying to get a job in the US. And the job market is tough in Japan. The positives are more abstract -- a change in the way I see the world, a greater appreciation for American government and Japanese culture.... a deeper understanding that many of the values Americans take for granted are, in fact, uniquely American. The experience, sometimes exciting, sometimes humbling, of living in another country is truly worthwhile. There are at least 3 different programs for foreign researchers looking for postdocs, including through the JSPS (which sponsors university postdocs) and through STA (which sponsors research institute postdocs). In the US, the NSF decides which Americans will receive these postdocs. I think similar organizations make the decisions in other countries. You can look at NSF's international programs homepage: http://www.nsf.gov:80/sbe/int/pubs.htm for more information. In order to apply to one of these fellowships, you must find a host researcher in Japan willing to accept you. And then you write a proposal to work on a specific project for a period of up to 2 years. Two strong advantages to these programs are: - Japanese language instruction. Although nearly every scientist I've met can speak English, life goes much more smoothly if you can communicate, even slightly, in Japanese. And I think the ability to communicate in Japanese would be very important for a more permanent job in science in Japan. - A budget from the NSF for professional visits to the US. This is very important when it comes time to look for another job back in the US, and also for keeping up US contacts during the tenure of the postdoc. Sorry I've been using abbreviations for the Japanese agencies. I think they are: JISTEC: Japan International Science and Technology Exchange Center JSPS: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science STA: Science and Technology Agency I'd be glad to answer any further questions anyone might have. Tina Briere
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Subject: Re: Scientist .vs. Engineer
From: Arthur Sowers
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 22:10:59 -0500

On Tue, 10 Dec 1996, fethi bellamine wrote: > I wonder if some of you would agree that the main difference between > a scientist and an engineer is that a scientist has the ability to > formulate rules (similar to theorems) while an engineer, makes a decision > about what rules to use to implement a needed product. I consider a scientist as someone working mainly to make discoveries while an engineer is mainly using existing discoveries to accomplish something practical. > Now, the other thing that I am wondering about whether knowledge had > expanded enough that we do not really need that many scientists anymore > and that stress should be on comprehending fully these rules, practice > them, and develop products that are useful to the human being, especially > in the sectors of health and communications. There are famous historical figures who made major mistakes thinking, for example, that all knowledge might be known. Albert Michalson, many decades ago, measured the speed of light with 6 figure accuracy (if I recall correctly) and then declared that that was the last task for physicists. He was embarassed when radioactivity was discovered almost the next day. In health, there are many people working on cancer and cancer victoms and yet its probably fair to say that the fundamentals are still not understood. All you have to do is look at the incurable diseases and ask why they are incurable. Sometimes its even very hard to come up with the proper diagnosis, let alone a cure. > Any thoughts? > > Art Sowers
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Subject: Re: Scientist .vs. Engineer
From: "Hilton Evans"
Date: 11 Dec 1996 05:05:36 GMT

fethi bellamine wrote in article <32AE3722.358F@sympatico.ca>... > I wonder if some of you would agree that the main difference between > a scientist and an engineer is that a scientist has the ability to > formulate rules (similar to theorems) while an engineer, makes a decision > about what rules to use to implement a needed product. > In practice the main difference between engineers and scientists is that engineers are usually concerned with implementing production systems while scientists are interested in extracting principles from observations. I think this agrees with what you asked. > Now, the other thing that I am wondering about whether knowledge had > expanded enough that we do not really need that many scientists anymore > and that stress should be on comprehending fully these rules, practice > them, and develop products that are useful to the human being, especially > in the sectors of health and communications. > > Any thoughts? > The scientific method is cyclical always starting and ending with a question that generates a hypothesis. As long as there are questions there will be scientists. Now funding is another matter. -- Hilton Evans *********************************************************** The two most important things in life are personal health and time ... H.Evans 1995 ********************************************************** Chempen+ Chemical Structure Drawing Software for Windows http://www.ici.net/cust_pages/hfevans/chempen.htm
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Subject: Re: Do we really need most of the research being done in universities?
From: Trevor Creamer
Date: Tue, 10 Dec 1996 11:23:39 -0500

Rebecca M. Chamberlin wrote: ...Much about the oversupply of organometallic chemists deleted... > If we slashed "Basic Research" funds in half, would we lose anything > really important? Actually, my bet would be that most of the stuff that would lose out would be the really interesting and important stuff. Why ? Because cliques (such as the organometallic chemistry group described in the stuff I deleted above) have a tendency to dominate the various national funding agencies. > I'd like to see a sustained "core" of basic research > funds to maintain an underlying stability on top of what is fundable by > industry. These funds should be vastly more competetive so that only > truly innovative, breakthrough ideas would be funded. "Truly innovative, breakthrough ideas" are generally considered too risky to fund (unfortunately). Cutting the funds available will only make this situation much worse. I'm curious as to why you think that funding isn't already vastly competitive ? Okay, some lame stuff get's funded - that's more a problem of who's reviewing the applications rather than a general oversupply of funding. > I found it supremely ironic that at the same American Chemical Society > meeting there were discussions on the overproduction of Ph.D.'s AND a > petition circulating to ask Congress to pump more funding into basic > research (aka Ph.D. production). Seems to me that drastically cutting > funding for basic research would eliminate the Ph.D. oversupply problem > at its source. Well, yes, it _may_ lead to a reduction in the number of PhD's produced... But it would also lead to a vast reduction in truly worthwhile basic research. It is certainly true that there are "worthless" research programs being funded, but it's important to realise that these are often funded at the expense of other people who would do better basic research, rather than being funded because there's lots of money available and it has to go somewhere. Cutting the overall level of funding will just make a bad situation worse. Actually, I'm not sure it would really reduce the number of PhD's produced. Let's assume that basic research funding were cut in half, and (let's stretch the imagination a bit) industry picks up the slack by providing funding. Okay, less basic research would be done (industry generally prefers applied research) - hence less basic research PhD's. But who would be doing the industry-funded (applied) research ? Hmmm, who's cheap, expendable and will work at least 70 hours a week ? Grad students ! Cheers, Trevor ________________________________________________________________________ Trevor P. Creamer Dept. of Biophysics Email - trevor@grserv.med.jhu.edu & Biophysical Chemistry Phone - (410) 614 3972 Johns Hopkins University Fax - (410) 614 3971 School of Medicine Baltimore, MD 21205 http://cherubino.med.jhu.edu/~trevor U.S.A. ________________________________________________________________________
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Subject: Re: How to hire foreigners even if qualified Americans exist
From: F.J.Koppenhagen@far.ruu.nl (F.J.Koppenhagen)
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 96 12:19:26 GMT

In article <32AE0561.2632@cyllene.uwa.edu.au>, "Wayne S. Pelouch, PhD" wrote: >Tommy Anderberg wrote: >> >> Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM (dlv@bwalk.dm.com) wrote: >> : m9303@abc.se (Tommy Anderberg) writes: >> >> : > Systems Engineering Research Corp. (serc.ada@ix.netcom.com) wrote: >> : > >> : > : Here is how companies can legally hire foreigners even while >> : > : qualified American engineers and scientists are out of work. >> : > [...] >> : > >> : > Please answer this: why does the company WANT to do that? >> >> : Because they pay the forriner 1/2 of what an American would get. >> >> So the real complaint here is "That !@#$! guy was willing to work for a >> salary which I wouldn't accept". Doesn't look all that rational to me, and >> not necessarily related to nationality either (is an American more desperate >> for a job than you, and hence prepared to work for a lower salary, any >> different from the "forriner"?). >> >> Tommy Anderberg >> Tommy.Anderberg@abc.se > >I am not arguing either way, but clearly supply-and-demand become a factor. >Any foreign source of labor increases supply and decreases demand. In the >current environment of large supply and low demand for scientists, all our >wages will fall... it sounds to me like more of a global phenomenon (i.e., >not restricted to the USA). Just my $0.02 >-Wayne And think about something like motivation. The original story made it sound like it is nice to leave your house and go to the USA. I myself am preparing to go abroad and I can tell u, it is no fun (although it is in a way). Why don't the 'american engineers and scientists' go abroad to find a job like the rest of the world? My Hfl 0.04 ;-) Frank
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Subject: Post-Doc Opportunity in Marine Population Modelling
From: Michael Riehl
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 10:02:24 -0330

POST-DOCTORAL STUDY IN CANADA Population Modelling of Marine Zooplankton A position is available immediately for an academically qualified individual to undertake research into population modelling of Calanus finmarchicus. This work is funded as part of the Canadian Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics Programme (GLOBEC). The work will involve the development of a life history model for Calanus, coupled with a primary production model and the physical environment of the Northwest Atlantic. Work is therefore required in the development of a biological model which must then be coupled with the physics. The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate an excellent academic record in one or more of Biology, Physical Oceanography, Population Modelling, Mathematics or some related discipline. We are looking for someone with enthusiasm and a dedication to research. This team involves four committed scientists (Brad deYoung, Don Deibel, Geoff Evans and Pierre Pepin). The GLOBEC Canada program is funded for four years and involves over 50 investigators across Canada. In addition to collaboration within this team, there is the potential for exposure to and interaction with many other marine scientists. For more details as to research programme and application procedures please contact, Dr. Brad de Young Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography Memorial University of Newfoundland St. John's, Newfoundland A1B 3X7 Canada Phone : 709-737-8839 Fax : 709-737-8739 E-mail: bdeyoung@crosby.physics.mun.ca
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Subject: To PI's; please let your postdocs go home after 5PM on Xmas
From: Marc Andelman
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 09:14:40 -0800

Twas the night before christmas and in the lab near your house not a creature was stirring not even a louse The grad students happily at sleep on the stool with visions of sugarplums and blueberry fool ....any better poets than me care to add a verse? Happy Holidays! Marc Andelman
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Subject: Re: Industry or academia?
From: reiley@klystron.flw.att.com (Dan Reiley)
Date: 11 Dec 1996 14:06:36 GMT

In article , Arthur E. Sowers wrote: > >The point I was making, and I KNOW it is true, is that in most industry >jobs, the employee is hired when money is already available! The money is available for work on a particular project. From what I've seen in engineering and physics, academic positions only open up when there is funding available, whether as a part of a large program started by another professor or as startup funds from the university. > That job is >in effect as long as there is money in the budget. The job is in effect for as long as there is money in the budget for that particular project. > The responsibility for >getting and keeping (and justifying) that money belongs to the supervisor >of the employee, and not the employee. Supervisors often take this responsibility. Just as often, however, they are too busy with other responsibilities, don't have the required skills, don't have the interest, or are feeling pressure to cut the project. > When a supervisor learns of a cut, >or generates that cut him/herself, then they can notify the appropriate >employees. And the appropriate employees then fight to keep the money flowing. One big difference is that there is no structured way to do this fighting - no proposal due dates, usually no RFPs, no suggested proposal formats, no agreed-upon basis for evaluating the proposals. Sometimes the "proposal" is corning a few people in the hallway and telling them why the program should continue. Sometimes the "proposal" is an long series of meetings with executives who are trying to use your money for other things. When your "proposal" is accepted, your "contract" is really just a line on an offically blessed budget. When that budget changes due to bad sales one quarter or the whim of some executive, you can be forced to start all over again. In academia, the contract is far more binding. > An academic faculty member whose salary is 100% dependent on >funding obtained from the outside of the institution is 100% responsible >for raising his own salary and when it runs out, or does not get renewed, >that faculty member automatically loses his job. This situation is common, >especially at research institutes and health science centers. It's also very common in companies like defense companies and other government contractors. >Now, if you have some comparable numbers, data, or other information which >indicates a worse turnover because of corporate "flip-flops," >on-again-off-again policy/strategy shifts, or large numbers of start ups >and shut doens, then please tell us about it. I don't have any figures, and I can't imagine how anyone could collect them because the process is so poorly defined. I'm sharing my experience with how research is funded in the companies I know about, which is very different from what most people on s.r.c. seem to think industrial work is like. -- Dan Reiley, Ph.D. Bell Labs Naperville, IL daniel.j.reiley@lucent.com (630)713-5444
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Subject: Re: Three Immutable Laws of Networking
From: davej@sedona.net (Dave Jensen)
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 08:04:12 -0700

In article <19961210020000.VAA01134@ladder01.news.aol.com>, ackolbert@aol.com wrote: >Is this the law of three in action? Posting the same message three >times!?? > >Seriously, though what can you really get done in three minutes (other >than boil an egg)?. I generally had either sucessful phone calls that >lasted 10-20 minutes or so or bad ones that ended after one or two. > >Regards, > >Andrew Hi Andrew Thanks for pointing this out. I just tuned in on my newsreader and found that the other day when I attempted to post, and had problems, it actually posted it each time! I have since removed two of them. Thanks for mentioning something that should be clarified. The "brevity counts" rule applies to calling strangers . . . You wouldn't believe how talkative people get when they are nervous and trying to ask for help. A three or four minute call from a normally shy scientist turns into a 15 minute, one-sided explanation of their PhD thesis. Obviously, with friends and acquaintances, you tap them for all you can get and don't worry about the time. But -- when relying on the "kindness of strangers", which is really what networking is all about, you must be brief. Thanks Dave
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Subject: Re: How to hire foreigners even if qualified Americans exist
From: serc.ada@ix.netcom.com(Systems Engineering Research Corp. )
Date: 11 Dec 1996 16:48:03 GMT

In <58m916$lkq@newshost.cc.ruu.nl> F.J.Koppenhagen@far.ruu.nl (F.J.Koppenhagen) writes: > >In article <32AE0561.2632@cyllene.uwa.edu.au>, "Wayne S. Pelouch, PhD" wrote: >>Tommy Anderberg wrote: >>> >>> Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM (dlv@bwalk.dm.com) wrote: >>> : m9303@abc.se (Tommy Anderberg) writes: >>> >>> : > Systems Engineering Research Corp. (serc.ada@ix.netcom.com) wrote: >>> : > >>> : > : Here is how companies can legally hire foreigners even while >>> : > : qualified American engineers and scientists are out of work. >>> : > [...] >>> : > >>> : > Please answer this: why does the company WANT to do that? >>> >>> : Because they pay the forriner 1/2 of what an American would get. >>> >>> So the real complaint here is "That !@#$! guy was willing to work for a >>> salary which I wouldn't accept". Doesn't look all that rational to me, and >>> not necessarily related to nationality either (is an American more desperate >>> for a job than you, and hence prepared to work for a lower salary, any >>> different from the "forriner"?). >>> >>> Tommy Anderberg >>> Tommy.Anderberg@abc.se >> >>I am not arguing either way, but clearly supply-and-demand become a factor. >>Any foreign source of labor increases supply and decreases demand. In the >>current environment of large supply and low demand for scientists, all our >>wages will fall... it sounds to me like more of a global phenomenon (i.e., >>not restricted to the USA). Just my $0.02 >>-Wayne > >And think about something like motivation. The original story made it sound >like it is nice to leave your house and go to the USA. I myself am preparing >to go abroad and I can tell u, it is no fun (although it is in a way). >Why don't the 'american engineers and scientists' go abroad to find a job like >the rest of the world? My Hfl 0.04 ;-) > >Frank It's not that easy for Americans to go overseas and find scientific/engineering jobs. Missed is the point of why should the American taxpayer pay for the training of foreigners when there is a glut of unemployed American engineers/scientists. Let's take some of our funds for training graduate students and create postdoc's/assistant professorships which would simultaneously increase Ph.D. job opportunities and reduce Ph.D. production. Maybe someone from the NSF can explain to me why they have not gone to Congress to request the revocation of the 1990 immigration act which was based on Bloch's 1988 prediction of a scientist shortage. Does it not make sense to restrict taxpayer's funds towards the training of it's own citizens? ---------------------------------------------- Steve Hohs serc.ada@ix.netcom.com
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Subject: Re: How to hire foreigners even if qualified Americans exist
From: "Achim Recktenwald, PhD"
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 13:20:28 -0500

Wayne S. Pelouch, PhD wrote: > > I am not arguing either way, but clearly supply-and-demand become a factor. > Any foreign source of labor increases supply and decreases demand. In the > current environment of large supply and low demand for scientists, all our > wages will fall... it sounds to me like more of a global phenomenon (i.e., > not restricted to the USA). Just my $0.02 > -Wayne > -- > ##################################################################### > # Wayne S. Pelouch, PhD # pelouch@cyllene.uwa.edu.au # > # Lions Eye Institute # # > # Nedlands, Western Australia # Laser Scientist # From my own experience (I am German) I can say, the job-situation in Europe is much worse than in North-America. Achim
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Subject: Re: Do we really need most of the research being done in universities?
From: "Rebecca M. Chamberlin"
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 10:41:21 +0000

Trevor Creamer wrote: > > Rebecca M. Chamberlin wrote: > > > If we slashed "Basic Research" funds in half, would we lose anything > > really important? > > Actually, my bet would be that most of the stuff that would lose out > would be the really interesting and important stuff. Why ? Because > cliques...have a tendency to dominate the various national > funding agencies. Sort of the fox guarding the henhouse. Maybe this means we need to increase scientists' external accountability for the public funds they receive. Any thoughts on how to accomplish this? > I'm curious as to why you think that > funding isn't already vastly competitive ? Okay, some lame stuff get's > funded - that's more a problem of who's reviewing the applications > rather than a general oversupply of funding. I agree that prestigious programs like NSF and NIH are very competetive. But if funding is so scare and difficult to come by, how is it that we can be producing too many Ph.D.'s? (The argument that increasing federal funding for basic research would solve the Ph.D. underemployment problem fails, in my mind, because increasing academic employment would only serve to generate more new Ph.D.'s). > >Seems to me that drastically cutting > > funding for basic research would eliminate the Ph.D. oversupply problem > > at its source. > ...Actually, I'm not sure it would really reduce the number of PhD's > produced. Let's assume that basic research funding were cut in half, and > (let's stretch the imagination a bit) industry picks up the slack by > providing funding. Okay, less basic research would be done (industry > generally prefers applied research) - hence less basic research PhD's. > But who would be doing the industry-funded (applied) research ? Hmmm, > who's cheap, expendable and will work at least 70 hours a week ? Grad > students ! Well, yes, that was the point I was trying to make. It is reasonable to expect that industry would fund Ph.D. education at a rate commensurate with their demand for Ph.D. scientists. In times of surplus Ph.D. production, industry would have little need to fund university research and the Ph.D. oversupply would self-correct on about a 5-year timescale. If a real impending shortage appears, industry funding would increase. This would also tend to reduce the production of Ph.D.'s in fields of low employability. I would characterize most of the industry-funded university research that I have seen as "application-driven", meaning that fundamental studies are done in support of an actual application. Often the work is quite novel and "basic" in flavor. I think we can trust professors to be creative and resourceful enough to sell interesting but relevant projects to industry. My personal experience has been that application-driven research--where success is partially judged by whether your ideas actually solve a problem--is actually more challenging and involves more creative problem-solving than basic research. Here are a couple of alternative scenarios for federal basic research funding, borrowed from other taxpayer funded programs: 1) The Welfare model: Anyone can apply for federal basic science funding, but there is a 5-year lifetime limit on benefits. 2) The Social Security model: You "pay" into the system by doing applied research for (say) 25 years, then you become eligible for federal basic science funding. 3) The Corporate Matching Funds model: For every $100,000 of funding you receive from industry, you become eligible to compete for matching funds from the basic science programs. Becky
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Subject: position avail
From: wally <103731.3476@CompuServe.COM>
Date: 11 Dec 1996 18:18:13 GMT

Position available for individual with experience in cryogenic-superconducting device design & devel. Desire MS in ME, EE or PE. PhD would be a bonus. Prior project mgmt exp helpful. If you are interested or know someone I should speak to please contact Dave at: 103731.3476@compuserve.com (910) 328-1747
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Subject: The patent craze
From: Marc Andelman
Date: Wed, 11 Dec 1996 13:51:57 -0800

As part of my continuing battle for justice, and the Armenian way, or was it the American way, I forget; Why are universities rushing to patent and what are the implications? 1. Do they make any moneny off this? Seriously, As of last year, MIT had not broken even. This is sure sucking a lot of cash, however, expecially on garbage patents of no use to anyone. 2. Would academia be more useful to industry and attract more industry money by putting stuff into the public domain? For example, an company patents a basic, fundamental improvement. That industrial company needs academia to put applications into the public domain, so that people do not mitpick it to death with derivitive patents. That would be a valuable service that industry would surely pay for. 2a. Does regard exist for tech transfer from everywhere else to the university. What could universities do with such knowledge? 3. How about pitting academia against the rest of us ignorant savages who already dislike faceless bureaucrats telling us were we can (explitive deleted). Isn't adademia being a proxy for big brother? Who appointed them to partition loaves of bread to the rest of us? Does state funded academic research have the potential to socialize the very power of initiative itself, or will it's practical potential never amount to a hill of beans? Regards, Marc Andelman
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