Purpose

The goal of this annual symposium is to highlight and provide a forum for ~15 early-career emerging leaders who have made significant contributions in their respective fields within polymer materials science and engineering. Example research areas include synthesis, processing, characterization, physics, and engineering of macromolecular materials. The two-day PMSE symposium is held during the Fall National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (location changes annually).

Nature

Selected “PMSE Young Investigators” will each provide a technical talk describing their recent research advances. Additionally, they will be invited to participate in a networking reception with other Young Investigators, keynote speakers, and selected invited guests from all sectors. The PMSE Young Polymer Scientists and Engineering Committee provides oversight to the coordination of the symposium.

History

The inaugural symposium was held in 2011. The symposium also features “Special Lectures” by keynote speakers who are established leaders and role models for young investigators.

Eligibility

The award is granted to emerging or established researchers, and nominations are welcome from all sectors of industry, government and academia.

Postdocs working at PhD-granting institutions will be selected as “PMSE Future Faculty Scholars”.

Nomination Process

Nomination Window

Nominations are open between January 1 and February 1 of the year of the Fall symposium.

Nominations

Early career scientists and engineers from academia, national labs, and industry who are within no more than 7 years of beginning their independent career will be selected as “PMSE Young Investigators” following a nomination process. The candidate’s research must align within the themes of the PMSE division. Nominations are to be made by a research mentor (e.g., postdoc advisor, PhD advisor, manager). The nomination package consists of a single PDF containing the following:

(1) full CV
(2) title/abstract of the tentative presentation (~300 words)
(3) nomination letter from the mentor (maximum 2 pages)

The nominating mentor may send the PDF file to the organizers with the subject line reading: “Candidate Name/YI Nomination”.  Nominations may be sent to the current organizers, Prof. Yan Xia (Stanford) and  Dr. Rudy Wojtecki (IBM) at yisymposium@pmsedivision.org

Selection Process

Selection of “PMSE Young Investigators” will be made by organizers & ad hoc members of the selection committee based on information provided in the nomination package, including research innovation and productivity during their independent career, demonstrated commitment to service to the technical community, and enthusiasm of mentor nomination letter.

In case of “leave,” candidates who are >7 years of beginning their independent careers will be considered.