We are announcing the competition for a J. Evans Attwell-
Welch Postdoctoral Fellowship. This is a two-year
fellowship to work with faculty in the Richard E. Smalley
Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology,
encompassing the School of Engineering, the Wiess School
of Natural Sciences, the Jones School of Management
through the Rice Alliance for Technology and
Entrepreneurship, and the James A. Baker III Institute for
Public Policy. Candidates for this competitively-awarded
fellowship must submit a research proposal (three pages
maximum), and a letter of support for the candidate and
endorsement of the proposed research from a Rice
University faculty member in the Smalley Institute.
Applicants must submit a resume and three letters of
recommendation and must have received a Ph. D. within
the past three years. Please see the Smalley Institute
website (www.nano.rice.edu) for a complete list of eligible
faculty members.
All applications should be received by
June 30, 2008 at the Richard E. Smalley Institute for
Nanoscale Science and Technology – MS 100, Rice
University, 6100 Main St, Houston TX 77005. Electronic
(nano@rice.edu), but
applications are acceptable by Email
the letters of support, academic record and
recommendations must be on paper.
Rice University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action
employer. Women and minority candidates are strongly
encouraged to apply.
This fellowship program was established in June of 1998 by the Welch
Foundation in honor of J. Evans Attwell (1931-2007), whose leadership with
both Rice University and the Robert A. Welch Foundation is most highly
regarded. Over the last several decades, J. Evans Attwell helped Rice
University choose a president, grapple with the impact of athletics on campus,
and steer a course for the 21st century. Attwell earned a bachelor of arts from
Rice in 1953 and served on the Board of Governors for the University from
1982 to 1996. J. Evans Attwell was a member of the William Marsh Rice
Society and was a major individual donor during Rice’s record-breaking 1989-
90 private-giving campaign. Attendance at Rice was something of a family
tradition for Attwell, who had four cousins, two uncles, and an aunt graduate
from the University. Attwell served as a vice chair of the University’s Baker
Institute for Public Leadership Committee, served on the Rice University Fund
Council and was a contributing life member of Rice Associates.
After earning his bachelor’s degree at Rice, J. Evans Attwell received his law
degree from the University of Texas. He served as managing partner of Vinson
and Elkins from 1981 to 1991. The law firm has a 10-year term limit for its
managing partner under a rule that was written by Attwell himself. He was a
Fellow of the Texas and American Bar Foundations and a member of the
American Law Institute.
The J. Evans Attwell fellowship is supported by an endowment, established
from both Rice University and Welch Foundation funds, which is sufficient to
make the award attractive to the best young Ph.D. recipients in nanoscience
and nanoengineering-related fields. The goal is to attract and retain leading
nanoscientists, thus further augmenting the level of basic scientific research
in chemistry and allied fields, not only for Rice University, but also for the
State of Texas.
Process and Guidelines for Evans-Attwell Welch Fellowships
Eligibility: Applicants must be able to complete the appointment within five
years of the award of the Ph.D. degree. Since the length of the fellowship is
two years, they must be able to start their appointment by the third
anniversary date of their Ph.D.
Applicants must have a recognized Ph.D. or equivalent in any of the fields
related to nanoscience and engineering, including chemistry, physics, material
science, and electrical, chemical, and environmental engineering among others.
Application process: Applicants must contact a faculty member in the Smalley
Institute at Rice University (www.nano.rice.edu). In consultation with a
Smalley Institute faculty member, the applicant must prepare a three page
(maximum) research proposal in sufficient detail to describe the research
problem, the approach, and expected outcome, including any anticipated
applications. Two additional pages of references and figures are allowed. A
letter of support (one page) must be provided by the Smalley Institute faculty
member, expressing approval of the proposed research. A resume and three
letters of recommendation are also required. All applications must be received
by June 30, 2008.
Amount of the award: For the 2008 award, the stipend will be $52,500 per
year, plus standard staff benefits.
(http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~humres/Services/Benefits/)
Moving expenses to Rice of up to $2,000.00 will be provided. Original receipts
for all expenses must be provided. No moving expenses will be provided at the
end of the fellowship, in keeping with the intent of the Fellowship.
In addition, a travel fund up to $5,000 per year is included for travel to
scientific and technical conferences, and for travel essential to the
performance of the research, such as synchrotron or neutron scattering facility
use.
A supplies and minor equipment fund to support the Fellow’s research will be
established with the advisor in the amount of up to $10,000 per year.
Fellows will be expected to deliver presentations at scientific and technical
meetings appropriate to the area of research, and to publish refereed papers.
The fellow will be expected to give one Smalley Institute seminar toward the
end of the second year term.
A one page progress report will be sent to the Smalley Institute director at the
end of the 11th month of each year.
Intellectual Property issues are governed by Rice policies #303-90 and 333-99.
(http://professor.rice.edu/professor/University_Policies.asp)