tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36194190.post6217804926366643865..comments2024-03-28T05:53:19.604-05:00Comments on It's the Rheo Thing: So just how many polymer chemists are there?Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04412324900423436763noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36194190.post-9258791474654999612016-01-26T09:33:59.922-06:002016-01-26T09:33:59.922-06:00Robert P.,
That 31% is an upper bound, the absolu...Robert P.,<br /><br />That 31% is an upper bound, the absolute maximum number that it can be. No one can say with a straight face that all R & D chemists work on polymers. No one can say with a straight face that all educational chemists work on polymers. And so the value is clearly less than 31%. You and I can guess at our own answers, bur regardless, it is less than 31%.<br /><br />And I say <i><b>only</b></i> 31% because the ACS thinks that it is 50% - the University of Oregon value is higher yet. Both of these sources have no references cite - I clearly show my sources, assumptions, calculations etc.<br /><br />You may not think I've proven my point, but this number is the far better than any other number out there. Come up with your own numbers and make your own case.<br /> Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04412324900423436763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36194190.post-89471523656727757682016-01-25T23:35:10.580-06:002016-01-25T23:35:10.580-06:00Personally, I believe you've fallen victim to ...Personally, I believe you've fallen victim to your own pre-conceived notions. You believed that there are few polymer chemists, and you've interpreted the data and made assumptions to fit your beliefs. For example, chemists in many of the categories you've neglected to mention undoubtedly work with polymers (the most obvious being motor vehicle and aerospace manugfacturing).<br /><br />I question the use of the term "only" when saying a sector of industry might make up 31% of employment. For one category to take up 31% of industry, that's pretty impressive, considering the number of different categories there are.<br /><br />Also, when taking into account the lack of publication, you must keep in mind that polymer chemitry, at present, is largely an industry-oriented science. As a rule, corporations don't publish in journals. They prefer to either keep their discoveries secret or patent them.<br /><br />In regards to your claim that jumping into the polymer science from another field is unlikely, I would point out that polymer chemistry truly is a multi-disciplinary filed, incorporating aspects of organic chemistry, physical chemistry and analytical chemistry. It's not as big of a jump as you might think. I switched careers from analytical chemistry for an environmental company to being a quality control chemist in polymers without skipping a beat.<br /><br />My own personal experience has been that the vast majority of job openings, at least for BS level chemists, are in polymers. Of course, that's only anecdotal evidence. I'm not saying I'm right and you are wrong. Rather, I'm saying that you've hardly proven your point.Robert P.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36194190.post-9155084700760320282015-04-24T13:56:35.763-05:002015-04-24T13:56:35.763-05:00Interesting observations, but I have some issues w...Interesting observations, but I have some issues with them. Most chemists don't go on to a Ph.D., so looking at polymer groups at universities isn't going to give an accurate picture.<br /><br />Regarding the chemistry/physics split, my caution has always been for chemists to look past that. The vast majority of polymers are bought/sold on the basis of their physical properties, not their chemistry. Overlook this and you will may find yourself on the outside looking in.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04412324900423436763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36194190.post-13785972271121363562015-04-23T22:48:52.188-05:002015-04-23T22:48:52.188-05:00Perhaps look into polymer groups at universities? ...Perhaps look into polymer groups at universities? I am getting a Ph.D in polymer science at the moment and work in a heavy synthetic group. Of our department, I would guess about a quarter are synthetic. Two things I have noticed with my incredible depth of early grad school:<br /><br />1. Most synthetic polymer chemists are American. This causes an issue in my department where there is more people who want to work in polymer synthesis than spots available. <br /><br />2. Most international students are working on polymer physics or polymer engineering. <br /><br />I think both of these points go with most synthetic professors are American at my university and most polymer physics and engineering professors are international. <br /><br />It is cool to know I am a part of this exclusive club! I am hoping it pays off some day! Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com