Open Positions with Frito-Lay

Frito-Lay R&D currently has several open position that they are seeking to fill within the June-August time frame. The roles are available within the R&D organization in Dallas in the corporate offices of Frito-Lay, and the job descriptions are as follows:

This position could range from an R&D Engineer to Associate Principal Engineer depending on experience.
•    Lead technical assignments for the Frito-Lay team in the areas of new product development, process development, product/process improvement.
•    Lead the identification, assessment, validation and commercialization of new technologies.
•    Utilize scientific methods to develop knowledge that creates business opportunities that support the company strategic market objectives.
•    Provide technical and business risk assessment/perspectives related to new product development.
•    Design and execute experiments, and analyze and interpret data to make sound technical recommendations on product and process issues.
•    Leverage external and internal experts for key analytical and sensory research.
•    Participate as an active member of cross-functional business development teams comprised of individuals from a variety of disciplines, including Marketing, Purchasing, Engineering and other groups.

Qualifications:
•    BS Chemical Engineering, Food Process Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
•    2+ years Experience - Research and/or Industry.
•    Experience in a wide range of food product and process development and commercialization preferred.
•    High level understanding of product formulation and development, ingredient technology, food processing, food safety, process control and quality management.
•    Self-starter with excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to work with various personalities and work styles, and good influence management skills.
•    Demonstrated ability to translate business objectives into strategic and tactical project goals and objectives.
•    Proven ability to make significant technical scientific advances utilizing internal and/or external resources.
•    Strong communication skills (oral and written).
•    Must be willing and able to travel 25% of the time.

For further information, please contact:
Enrique Michel
Frito-Lay R&D, Principal Engineer
7701 Legacy dr. Plano, TX 75024
Enrique.Michel@PepsiCo.com

Summer Research position available

The Bommarius lab offers a summer position as of May 6, 2013, for an advanced undergraduate or graduate student, or recent graduate to complete a DOE STTR-SBIR phase II project on the
 

Removal of ammonia and water to enhance yield of beta-lactam syntheses through suppression of secondary hydrolysis 

The project combines the use of biocatalysts to synthesize beta-lactam antibiotics, specifically ampicillin as a model, with the use of a hollow-fiber membrane contactor to withdraw ammonia, the by-product of the synthesis:       

                                                                            PGA     

   D-phenylglycine-amide  +  6-aminopenicillanic acid            ®        ampicillin    +   NH₃/NH₄⁺

Hydrolysis                                                                  PGA     

side reaction:               D-phenylglycine-amide  +  H₂O  ®     D-phenylglycine  +  NH₃/NH₄⁺            

PGA = penicillin G acylase.   

If successful, such a novel process to synthesize beta-lactams could lead to less expensive anti-infectives. The focus of the work will be on the transport of ammonia through the membrane.  The membrane module itself will be supplied by our collaborator, Compact Membrane Systems (CMS) of Newark, DE.  Also, some parts of the characterization are envisioned to take place in CMS’ labs in Newark, DE.  

We have developed a variant of penicillin G acylase (PGA) in the Bommarius lab that strongly favors synthesis over hydrolysis.  Enzyme is available, the assays are worked out.  After characterization of ammonia transport through the membrane, we will run the PGA-catalyzed reaction to ampicillin through the hollow-fiber membrane contactor, remove ammonia, and seek to optimize yield and selectivity.

In summary, the work entails the following items:

1.      Characterization of transport of ammonia through the hollow-fiber membrane module from aqueous solution, mainly as function of concentration, pH value & transmembrane pressure

2.      Ampicillin synthesis in a membrane contactor loop reactor; ampicillin yield as a function of substrate concentrations, pH value, and selected other variables.

 

Publication opportunity is envisioned and is strongly encouraged.   Interested?:  Please email resume to Prof. Andreas S. Bommarius (andreas.bommarius@chbe.gatech.edu).

Undergraduate Research Assistant needed

Location: In the laboratory of Prof. Mark Prausnitz, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA.

Duration: This position will start in Summer 2013. This position is unpaid but provides academic credit.

Qualifications: The candidate should be currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry or a related science program. Prior experience with working in a laboratory setting is an advantage but not required.

Background: The National Institutes of Health has awarded Georgia Tech a grant to fund development of a novel dissolving microneedle patch for influenza vaccination and bring it into a Phase I clinical trial in 2014-2015. Based on 15 years of research and 70 journal articles on microneedles, Georgia Tech has developed prototype microneedle patches and tested them extensively on animals to demonstrate influenza vaccination efficacy. Microneedles are micron-scale structures (see figure) that painlessly pierce into the skin surface, thereby depositing vaccine in the upper layers of skin. This route of administration has a number of advantages, including the possibility of self-administration and increased vaccine immunogenicity.

Job description: This position provides a unique opportunity to be part of a product development team that is developing a dissolving microneedle patch for influenza vaccination for a Phase I clinical trial. The candidate will be assisting in preparing formulations, carrying out assays for quantitative analysis of vaccine loading in patches and assessment of its stability in test prototypes. The candidate will gain knowledge and hands-on experience running various analytical assays such as ELISA and protein assays.

Contact: If interested, please send your resume and cover letter to Priya Kalluri at priya.kalluri@chbe.gatech.edu

The Art of Drawing

Summer Architecture Course Available Campus Wide 

The course listed below is open to students across campus.  Please join us this summer! 

The Art of Drawing – Arch 4411 (Intro to Visual Arts)  is open to all interested GT students in any major.  It is the intention of this course to explore the art of drawing in both theory and technique.  The course will include studio work and field trip exercises.  The course will culminate with the exploration of a topic of each student’s choosing, illustrated with appropriate drawings.  While a meaningful course, this promises to be a lot of fun for the summer.  Please request the course description and syllabus from your academic advisor if you are interested.

Dead Week Doughnuts

Just what you need when you're slammed during dead week...caffeine and sugar!  The CHBE Student Advisory Board would like to invite you to partake of FREE doughnuts and coffee on Wednesday, April 24th from 8am-11am (or until we run out!).  Drop by the lower level atrium in Ford ES&T.

Summer courses on-line!

Wondering how to get ahead academically while still having a great summer? For the first time, Georgia Tech’s undergraduates now have access to a select slate of for-credit summer courses online. Offered in a variety of disciplines, these online courses are designed to give students the flexibility to experience Georgia Tech wherever they are. Registration for summer semester is open now, but courses are expected to fill up fast.

Featured courses for the new undergraduate online program include offerings from departments across campus. The Colleges of Engineering, Computing and Liberal Arts, and the School of Mathematics will be offering courses in subjects as diverse as Electromagnetics (ECE 3025), Thermodynamics (ME 3322), Probability & Statistics (MATH 3215) and Intro to Sociology (SOC 1101). Thirteen courses will be offered in summer 2013, with the possibility for increased offerings next year.

All online courses are semester-based and operate much like a typical Tech course, except delivery will be online. Courses will be taught by Tech faculty and instructors and count toward degree requirements. For this first-time offering, tuition will be $771 for in-state students taking one online course and $1,542 for students taking two online courses. Out-of-state tuition is $2,703 for students taking one online course and $5,406 for students taking two online courses. Some mandatory fees will apply to these courses; please see the Bursar’s website 

At this time, summer online course enrollment is limited to Georgia Tech undergraduate students who want to enroll solely in these online courses. Participants must also have high-speed Internet access and are required to follow specific technical requirements. Course delivery will be facilitated through distance learning technology – a valuable service of Georgia Tech Professional Education for more than 34 years.

A key provision of the new summer online undergraduate program is that students are responsible for arranging their own proctors for the courses. Students interested in a Georgia Tech online summer course should begin searching for an appropriate proctor now. Approvals will not take place until after students register and submit the online form. Information on proctors and how to secure one can be found at  http://www.gtpe.gatech.edu/summer-online-undergraduate-program

Be a part of history and register for the first online undergraduate courses at Georgia Tech. For a complete listing of summer online courses, information on tuition and fees, technical requirements and more, visit www.gtpe.gatech.edu/summer2013.

Ice Cream Social for ChBE Freshmen, Sophomores, and Transfer students!

The Student Advisory Board(SAB) would like to invite you to our ice cream social on Thursday(TODAY) April 18th from 4-5pm in the Ford ES&T atrium. There will be information on study abroad programs, internships/co-ops, research opportunities, the ChBE curriculum, Standard v. Biotech option, what ChBE 2100 entails, how to succeed as a transfer student, and of course, FREE ice cream. We would love to have all of you come out, eat free ice cream, and get your ChBE questions answered. Hope to see everyone TODAY!

Graduation Party

The annual Graduation Party is for any student at Georgia Tech who is graduating at the end of either the Spring, Summer, or Fall semester of 2013.  This year's event will be held on April 26th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm in Bobby Dodd Stadium, and it is free to any student who meets the previous criterion.  Additionally, each attendee is able to bring along one guest, and both will be able to participate in the full spectrum of the event's offerings. 

To learn more about the event, please check out the event's website at http://www.gtsaa.com/events-and-programs/spirit-tradition-and-pride/ramblin-on

Dow-MIT ACCESS Program

The DOW-MIT ACCESS Program is a weekend-long symposium aimed to expose underrepresented minority students to the benefits of a graduate education in chemistry, chemical engineering and materials science and engineering. This 5th annual event, taking place on MIT’s campus September 27th and September 28th, is an interactive and informative symposium that has proven to have a lasting impact on its past participants.

Over half of our ACCESS alumni are now enrolled in graduate programs across the country. For more information, please visit http://access.mit.edu or email mit-access@mit.edu

*Applications for the ACCESS Fall 2013 session are due July 8, 2013.*All travel expenses, meals and hotel accommodations for students selected to participate in the ACCESS program will be paid by us. Participation neither obligates the student to apply for graduate study nor guarantees future consideration for study at MIT. ACCESS was made possible through the generous support of Dow Chemical Corporation.

BP Discovery Days for Freshmen and Sophomores--April 15 deadline!!

Welcome to BP’s Discovery Days. These new diversity leadership programs have been created to open the professional door for high-potential students like you. Discovery Days isn’t a recruiting event – it’s a three-day program designed to give you valuable insight into the energy industry and to help you cultivate critical career skills that go beyond the classroom.

Why participate?
• Engage in interactive leadership workshops.
• Network with BP executives, employees, and current interns.
• Learn all about the energy industry.
• Meet outstanding students from across the country.
• Receive an all-expense-paid trip to one of BP’s key locations.
• Receive a $1000 scholarship.

Your program options
In this, our inaugural year, we’re hosting two distinct Discovery Days programs for diverse students from select universities and conferences. The deadline to apply for each program is April 15, 2013. Space is limited, so apply early. Visit bp.com/usdiscoverydays  for more information.

Diversity Leadership Days
July 18-20, Houston, Texas
It’s an opportunity for you to learn more about how diversity and inclusion translates into the professional world now and in the future. This program is open to diverse first and second year university students majoring in engineering, earth sciences, or business.

Women in Energy Days
July 25-27, Chicago, Illinois
It’s a setting for women to develop leadership skills and gain real-life perspective on how to develop a successful career in the energy industry. This program is open to first and second year female university students majoring in engineering, earth sciences, or business.

How to apply
Visit bp.com/usdiscoverydays to begin the application process. Your online application will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You’ll need your resume and transcript, plus responses to the four short-answer questions below, each with a 250 word limit. We strongly recommend that you have your resume, transcript and responses to the below questions prepared before you apply.
1. What previous leadership experience(s) have you had, whether in high school or while at university?
2. Please describe what makes you diverse and how that diversity has impacted your academic and personal life.
3. Why are you interested in attending a BP Discovery Days program and what do you hope to gain by attending this event?
4. BP is interested in learning more about you. Share any information about you that cannot be found elsewhere on your application. You may choose to write about your future ambitions and goals, a special talent that sets you apart from your peers, or a significant event or relationship that has influenced you.

Engineers Without Borders Spring Showcase

Engineers Without Borders would like to invite you to the Spring Showcase!
Come to hear from  members about their personal experiences in the organization, project updates and travel plans, and opportunities for involvement and mentorship in their projects.

They will be recruiting more members in the fall, so this will be the perfect chance to learn more about Engineers Without Borders. This event will include dinner catered by a local restaurant.

When? Monday, April 15th 7:00-8:00 pm
Where? Bill Moore Student Success Center Second Floor- Press Room B