Chemistry

I am now living in the country where Burger King® rules and Coca Cola™ is the drink of choice. I’m doing an internship in the US. San Francisco has a great climate and mellow atmosphere, making it an amazing place to be. But, of course, I’m really here for the science. Read more...

Livermore is about 60 kilometres east of San Francisco. The city revolves around the two major government-run research labs, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and the Sandia National Laboratory Livermore. I’m working at Sandia.

I’ve started an experiment we hope will produce super-cold molecular deuterium (T ~ 500 mK). The technique we’re using is based on collisions between a D2 molecule and a helium atom. When these two particles collide, there is a chance that the molecule will rebound with an equivalent speed in the opposite direction of the centre-of-mass velocity of the collision. Then the molecules stop moving in the lab frame. This technique also works for particles of unequal mass, because the ‘extra’ impulse can be captured by striking the molecule rotationally.

It’s extremely interesting research in a great location, and a fantastic experience. I can heartily recommend studying abroad to everyone. Paul Jansen

Why the switch?
I studied organic chemistry on the HBO level. But I realised lab work really wasn’t my thing. I was more interested in calculations. The combination of chemistry and math was much more appealing. Theoretical Chemistry combines aspects of math, physics and chemistry. This is where my strengths lie. During my internship, I was working on the cutting edge of theoretical and organic chemistry. I found TC so fascinating I wanted to pursue it further.

Driving force
The fundamental approach of chemistry is what I find so attractive. You start from nothing, and delve deeply into the material. Since this programme is much more theoretical than my HBO programme, and concerns another facet of chemistry, I did a six-course pre-Master’s programme. I definitely had to do some catching up in math and theoretical chemistry. It wasn’t too hard to handle, and certainly not more difficult for me than it was for the university’s Bachelor’s degree students.

The difference
The biggest difference with the HBO is that you have more material to cover. On the HBO level, I could get away with starting to study a couple days before an exam. Now, I really need to keep up with the course material. This is a big challenge. Another difference is that you have to be more self-sufficient. Instructors are happy to help you, but you have to take the initiative. Not that many students have chosen TC. It means we’re a close-knit team.Jos Mulder

I work for the publishing wing of the Royal Society of Chemistry, the British KNCV, as a technical editor for several scientific journals. I prepare the submissions we receive for publication. I also have to integrate the author’s final corrections into the text, publish the articles online, and compile each issue of the journal.

Since I have a background in biochemistry, I’ve also been asked to approach scientists to see whether they want to write a summary review for our journal Molecular BioSystems.

My university studies gave me a solid foundation for my work. Knowledge of chemistry is essential to understand the articles I edit. But there are also lots of skills I learned as a chemist that I use here every day. Precision, problem-solving, that kind of thing. I’m a little bit science, a little bit humanities, and totally happy doing what I’m doing! Danièle Gibney

I liked the idea of spending 3 or 4 months doing an internship at a foreign university. I approached Prof. Maurice Janssen with my idea, since I wanted to study physical chemistry. He put me in touch with the laser lab at the University of Bristol, and Andrew Orr-Ewing’s research group. My research involved allowing chlorine gases to react with other gases in a vacuum chamber. Then I ionized the products – mostly HC1 – using lasers. We coaxed the ions to a detector in an established force field (ion imaging). The images reveal the differences in velocity and trace the degree of capacity utilization for the HCl rotational levels. The chemistry part was doing computer calculations for all kinds of reaction pathways. Interpreting the images did require some chemistry background. You learn the most from doing lab work, of course.
 
I had a fabulous time and learned a great deal. Plus I gained a lot of experience! Stefan Lehman

At the Sciences Career Event I met representatives from Ernst & Young’s Financial Services Risk Management department. Three interviews later, I had a job.
The jump from theoretical chemistry to Finance is easy to explain. I enjoy performing analysis and working with mathematical models. Plus I get the opportunity to develop professionally and personally. I missed the personal factor when I worked doing pure research. Did you know that some methods used to evaluate financial tools are based on Brownian motion, something Einstein described?

Right now I’m on a ten-week long project at a bank in Dublin. Together with several Swiss colleagues from Ernst & Young, I am validating a number of credit risk assessment models. Interestingly, I’m not the only scientist here – two of the Swiss colleagues have PhDs in physics!

Meanwhile I’m getting spoiled by all the luxury here in the hotel, eating out every night, and driving a lease car in the Netherlands. If you want to do in-depth research, do a PhD. If you want to broaden your horizons, working as a consultant for Ernst & Young is an excellent move. Bas van Stralen

My Bachelor’s project supervisor had an inspiring story which led me to explore an internship abroad. Doing research at the University of Auckland (New Zealand) was very appealing, making it an easy choice. Working at another university gives you a sneak peek into someone else’s lab, so you can learn from them. You make a ton of contacts; these might well prove enormously useful if you conduct joint projects in the future. Anton Koers, Theoretical Chemistry

After earning my doctorate at ACAS (now called BioMolecular Analysis (BMA)), I began training to become a clinical chemical engineer at the Isala clinics in Zwolle. Clinical chemistry combines applied science, complex medical issues and management.

What is a clinical chemist?
The clinical chemist examines all biochemical parameters (determinants) in blood and other bodily fluids. Based on the results, the medical specialist is advised and supported in making a diagnosis. The clinic chemist also monitors and assures the quality of these determinations.

What does a clinical chemist do?
The clinical chemist has several main tasks, including supervising a (large) group of blood sample collectors, doctor’s assistants, and analysts in a hospital clinical chemistry lab (or primary care practice lab). Besides these managerial and organisational functions, the clinical chemist also assumes professional responsibility for lab diagnostic procedures.

How do you become a clinical chemist?
People from various (chemical/medical) disciplines may qualify for further training as a clinical chemist. Generally speaking, this is a post-doctoral research study programme. Chemists like me do need to concentrate on acquiring a lot of medical knowledge, and the reverse applies to those with a medical background. But in the four-year programme, this happens automatically.

Dr Hans Krabbe, Clinical Chemist, Isala clinics

During my internship, I researched chiral molecules. Often only one isomer is a useable material, while the others can be hazardous. So these need to be separated out in order to perform determinations. The assignment comprised studying six different techniques for two model substances that were in the Synthon development pipeline then. The diversity and challenge are exactly what drew me to this position. In nine months, I had the opportunity to work with many interesting instruments, as well as more well-known techniques like HPLC.

Before I was even through with the internship, Synthon offered me a job. I am still working there today. After the internship period, I moved from researching small molecules to the bio-analytics department, where now I deal with proteins. This department was still in its start-up phase at Synthon, making it that much more interesting. Karin Geuijen

For more information: karin.geuijen@synthon.nl