PMSE Young Investigator Symposium

Purpose

The The PMSE Young Investigator Symposium is a forum to highlight the professional accomplishments of approximately 15 early-career investigators who are emerging as leaders in the field of polymer science and engineering.   These leaders will be honored at a two-day PMSE Young Investigator Symposium held once a year during the Fall National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (location changes annually). The 2021 Symposium will be held at the Spring 2022 ACS Meeting.

Nature

Selected nominees will give an invited technical talk describing their research advances at a special symposium featuring the other PMSE Young Investigators.  This special symposium will be accompanied by a networking reception with the other Young Investigators, keynote speakers, and selected invited guests from the PMSE community. 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

PMSE defines a “Young Investigator” as an early-career scientist or engineer who is no more than 7 years beyond the start of their independent research career (beyond postdoc).  PMSE strongly encourages nominations from academic, industrial, government, and other private research organizations, both foreign and domestic, that engage in the research and development of polymeric materials.  Nominations of individuals from historically underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.  Nominees more than 7 years past the beginning their independent careers will be considered in cases where the candidate has taken professional leave.

Postdocs and PhD graduates in the field of polymer science and engineering who are interested in future careers in academia are encouraged to apply for the “PMSE Future Faculty Scholars” program.

Nomination Process

Nomination Window

2022 nominations are open between January 1 and February 11, 2022.

Nominations

Early career scientists and engineers from academia, industry, government, or private research organizations encouraged to suitable for the PMSE Young Investigator Symposium.  The candidate’s research should align within the themes of ACS and the PMSE Division.  Nominations are to be made by a research mentor (e.g., postdoc advisor, PhD advisor, manager). Self nominations are not permitted. 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 nomination should be sent as a single PDF file to the organizers with the subject line reading: “Candidate Name/YI Nomination”.  Nominations may be sent to the current organizers, Emily Pentzer [Chair] (Texas A&M), Laura Bradley (U Mass Amherst), and Chris Soles (NIST) at yisymposium@pmsedivision.org

Selection Process

The PMSE Young Investigator Symposium seeks to recognize those early career scientists who have had a significant impact on the field of polymer science and engineering.   The nomination letter should explain researcher’s accomplishment and provide the context for understanding its impact.  PMSE recognizes that impact can look very different depending on whether the nominee is from academia, industry, or a National laboratory.  The nomination letter should describe the importance of the nominee’s accomplishments relative to the environment they come from.  Evidence to support this impact could include (but is not limited to):

• Publications
• Patents
• Shared Data
• Product Development
• Scientific Knowledge
• New Measurements
• New Materials

Selections will be made based on the difficulty of the accomplishments, the importance these accomplishments to the nominee’s professional organization, and the overall impact on the field of polymer science and engineering.

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.