PhD scholarship in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) ecology
Project title: ESR4: Assessing the toxicity of pesticides on natural soil and plant assemblages of AMF
Learn more here.
Brussels News Update, December 2020
European Highlights, Research, Innovation, Education, Entrepreneurship
The first 50 years of Chemistry in Europe
In this special edition of our newsletter Chemistry in Europe (CiE) 2020-4, we have highlighted many milestones and unforgettable moments that brought the European Chemical Society where it is today. Furthermore, we have collected memories and assembled stories from the people who shaped the path from 1970 onward.
In this special edition, you will revel in engaging articles from 22 authors, across 68 pages, including 49 photographs, and 6 visuals!
Read more about it here.
Budget breakdown of Horizon Europe
After lengthy talks, European leaders have succeeded in reaching an agreement on Horizon Europe. The total and final budget for the next seven-year framework programme for research and innovation is €95.517 billion (current prices). In comparison with Horizon 2020, it represents a budget increase of 30%. Concerning Erasmus+, they agreed on expending the budget to €26 billion – almost doubled in comparison with the €14.7 billion allocated to Erasmus+ for Horizon 2020.
Read our full debrief here.
#EUvsVirus: that's a wrap for 2020!
The #EUvsVirus journey continues with the #EUvsVirus Launchathon! It took place online on 10 and 11 December 2020. This event is a follow up action to the #EUvsVirus Hackathon and Matchathon launched earlier in 2020 and supported by the European Innovation Council.
The #EUvsVirus series of online events aims to bring together individuals from various sectors in finding innovative solutions to address the current pandemic crisis. Some of the 120 winners that were selected for their impactful solutions and products are now market ready start-ups. Therefore, the Launchathon aimed to help them to get in touch with corporate partners, public procurers, and investors.
Read the full article here.
Early career Chemists at the 12th European Innovation Summit
During the 12th European Innovation Summit, the European Young Chemists’ Network (EYCN) of the European Chemical Society (EuChemS) co-organised the session ‘The Role of Early-Career Professionals in Driving Sustainable Innovation’. The session was hosted by MEP Victor Negrescu. This interactive session brought together speakers from various sectors, such as IUPAC, the European Commission, University, and industry. Speakers provided their inputs as early-career professionals on innovative technologies relevant to the European Green Deal and global long-term sustainability. They also discussed the involvement of early researchers in this process.
Critical Raw Materials: new EU measures for sustainable batteries
On 10 December 2020, the European Commission announced in a press release its proposition to modernise EU legislation on batteries. With new mandatory requirements for all batteries placed on the EU market, the European Commission would like to establish a sustainable batteries value chain in the EU by restricting the use of hazardous substances. Furthermore, these new measures will also focus on recycling targets to prevent the waste of critical raw materials used in batteries.
Read our full debrief here.
ECHA Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) on Cadmium exposure
The European Chemical Society attended the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) online meetings of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in November and December 2020.
Many topics were discussed, including the Occupational Exposure Limits (OEL) assessments. Special attention was given to the first draft opinion and the report on the scientific evaluation of limits values for Cadmium and its inorganic compounds at the workplace. It takes into account the cumulative Cadmium exposure from all sources (inhalation, food, hand to mouth, dermal) and discusses how to protect workers, also after their occupational career.
Read our full debrief here.
EuChemS featured in the first issue of AsiaChem!
EuChemS had the honour to contribute to the inaugural issue of AsiaChem with an article on the long-standing EuChemS-FACS collaboration. In this contribution, EuChemS President, Pilar Goya, EuChemS Vice-President, Floris Rutjes and EuChemS Past-President, David Cole-Hamilton, congratulate the Federation of Asian Chemical Societies (FACS) on the 40th anniversary of its foundation and on the introduction of this new Chemistry magazine.
Consultations & Roadmap
European Commission Public Consultations and Roadmaps
A number of consultations and roadmaps put forward by the European Commission are currently open:
- ‘Fluorinated greenhouse gases – review of EU rules (2015-20)’
Public Consultation
Deadline: 29 December 2020 - ‘Reducing packaging waste – review of rules’
Public Consultation
Deadline: 6 January 2021 - CO2 emissions for cars and vans – revision of performance standards
Public Consultation
Deadline: 5 February 2021 - EU renewable energy rules – review
Public Consultation
Deadline: 9 February 2021 - EU Action Plan Towards a Zero Pollution Ambition for air, water and soil
Public Consultation
Deadline: 10 February 2021
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) public consultations
A number of consultations put forward by ECHA are currently open.
You can take a look at them here.
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) public consultations
A number of consultations put forward by EFSA are currently open.
You can take a look at them here.
Fundings, Nominations & Awards
Calls open for 4 EuChemS Awards
- European Chemistry Gold Medal
- EuChemS Lecture Award
- EuChemS Award for Service
- EuChemS Historical Landmarks
Deadline: 31 December 2020
International Award Committee for the EuChemS Lecture Award (IACL)
The call for the International Award Committee for the EuChemS Lecture Award (IACL) is now open.
You can submit a nomination here (please scroll down to the Submission form “Jury Nomination for the International Award Committee for the EuChemS Lecture Award (IACL) 2020”).
European Sustainable Chemistry Award (ESCA)
EuChemS recognises the achievements of individual scientists and teams through the European Sustainable Chemistry Award (ESCA). The European Sustainable Chemistry Award is intended to be a prestigious scheme which will raise the profile of sustainable chemistry and be a spur to innovation and competitiveness.
Deadline: 1 February 2021
Submit your nomination here.
European Researchers’ Night – Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA)
In 2020, the European Researchers’ Night will take place on Friday, 27 November. You can apply to get funding to organise an event, promote research, and channel its impact to improve citizens’ daily lives.
Deadline: 12 January 2021
You can have a look at it here.
Review of Online Databases on Chemical Analysis Methods for the Identification of New Products and Materials (PEN-CP-2020-ER4)
Deadline for proposal submission: 19 January 2021
You can have a look at it here.
EMBL Fellowship Programme for Research Infrastructure Scientists
Deadline: 31 January 2021
You can have a look at it here.
EuChemS Events
In the current environment and status of COVID-19, some events recognised by EuChemS are being postponed or cancelled.
EuChemS Events calendar is being updated on a regular basis.
If you planned to attend an event, you can check more about it here.
1st Greenering International Conference
15 – 17 February 2021
Lisbon, Portugal
Visite the website!
EuChemS Executive Board meeting
18 February 2021
Online event
Visit the website!
International School of Process Chemistry - ISPROCHEM
9-15 May 2021
Gargnano, Italy
Visit the website!
OTHER EVENTS
Virutal Conference Advances in Chemical Biology
26-28 January 2021
Online
Visit the website!
Global Women's Breakfast -IUPAC
9 February 2021
Multiple locations
Visit the website!
Read the full BNU newsletter here
EuChemS aisbl - Rue du Trône 62, 1050, Brussels, Belgium; www.euchems.eu. Produced for EuChemS by Nineta Hrastelj, Laura Jousset and Jelena Lazić. This newsletter has been carefully prepared and only contains correct information to the best of EuChemS´ knowledge, however this does not exclude the possibility of existence of incorrect information. EuChemS cannot be liable for the use or misuse of any information, whether correct or incorrect, present at this newsletter. Intellectual property belongs to its rightful owners, always explicitly traceable on each article. Compilation Copyright © 2020 EuChemS
Céline Wittwer, SCS
19.10.2020
Nine PhD Fellowships at ARISTO Project
ARISTO, the new Horizon 2020 project offers offers nine PhD Fellowships all over Europe.
ARISTO (European Industry-Academia Network for RevIsing and Advancing the Assessment of the Soil Microbial TOxicity of Pesticides) is an International Training Network (ITN) funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement. Pesticides are major environmental pollutants. For this reason, the European Commission has imposed a stringent pesticide regulatory scheme for pesticides authorisation, where risk assessment for aquatic organisms and terrestrial macro-organisms is well defined. In contrast the assessment of the toxicity of pesticides on soil microorganisms is lagging behind, still relying on an outdated protocol which fails to identify effects on key microbial functions and on microbial diversity, which can now be accurately determined through advanced and standardized methods introduced in soil microbiology in the last 10 years. EFSA identified soil microorganisms as an attribute to monitor during pesticides environmental risk assessment and stressed the need for novel tests to assess the toxicity of pesticides on soil microorganisms. The ARISTO project will fulfil this scientific and regulatory gap through a unique doctoral program, based on the strong interaction of academia and industry, aiming to train the next generation of Microbial Ecotoxicologists. More information.
Open Positions
PhD scholarship in Environmental Microbiology & Ecology
Project title: In vitro assessment of the toxicity of pesticides on ammonia oxidising microorganisms
Learn more here
PhD scholarship in agricultural science and bioengineering
Project title: ESR2: In vitro assessment of the toxicity of pesticides on AMF
Learn more here.
PhD position in soil microbial ecology
Project title: ESR3: Assessment of the ecotoxicity of pesticides on nitrifiers in soil
Learn more here.
PhD scholarship in soil microbial ecology
Project title: ESR5: Studying the toxicity of pesticides on soil microbial networks
Learn more here.
PhD scholarship in microbial ecology
Project title: ESR6: Assessment of pesticides impact on microbial function in a soil food-web context
Learn more here.
Project title: ESR6: Assessment of pesticides impact on microbial function in a soil food-web context
Learn more here.
PhD scholarship in soil microbial ecology
Project title: ESR7: Assessment of the toxicity of pesticide mixtures on soil microorganisms.
Learn more here.
PhD scholarship in soil microbial ecology
Project title: ESR8: Assessing the toxicity of bio-pesticides on soil microorganisms
Learn more here.
PhD scholarship in environmental chemistry & cheminformatics
Project title: ESR9: Development of tools for in silico prioritization of pesticide TPs for soil microbial ecotoxicity testing
Learn more here.
David Spichiger, SCS
18.12.2020
CHIMIA Editorial Program 2021 and Media Data
| Issue | Publication Date | Topic, Guest Editor |
| 1-2 | 24.02.2021 | The Future of Chemical Education C. Housecroft, University of Basel / J. Cvengros, ETH Zurich |
| 3 | 24.03.2021 | H2 Production and CO2 Conversion: Insights and Progress G. Patzke, University of Zurich |
| 4 | 28.04.2021 | Laureates Junior Prizes Fall Meeting 2020 H.P. Lüthi, ETH Zurich / SCS Foundation |
| 5 | 26.05.2021 | Colloidal Nanocrystals H.-P. Meyer, HES-SO, R. Wohlgemuth, SKB |
| 6 | 23.06.2021 | Peptide Chemistry in Switzerland J-L. Remond, University of Bern |
| 7-8 | 11.08.2021 | SCS Major Awards / SCS Fall Meeting A. De Mesmaeker, SCS, C. Housecroft, University of Basel |
| 9 | 29.09.2021 | Green and Sustainable Chemistry F. Gallou, Novartis, E. Godineau, Syngenta |
| 10 | 27.10.2021 | Photochemistry Ch. Bochet, University of Fribourg |
| 11 | 24.11.2021 | Industry-Academic Partnerships Chr. Sparr, University of Basel |
| 12 | 22.12.2021 | Chemical Biology H. Riemann, University of Geneva |
Editor-in-Chief 2021
Prof. Catherine Housecroft, University of Basel
Contact address for ads and company reports
Swiss Chemical Society, David Spichiger
+41 31 306 92 92
Flyer including media data and advertisement offers
Download the CHIMIA Flyer 2021 including the media data
Céline Wittwer, SCS
12.11.2020
SCS Award Winners 2021
It’s our pleasure to announce the winners of the 2020 SCS Awards. We would like to sincerely congratulate all winners for their outstanding scientific contributions, and we are looking forward to the award ceremonies and lectures that will take place at one of our upcoming SCS events.
Werner Prize 2021
Prof. Raffaella Buonsanti,
EPFL Lausanne,
for her original and significant contributions in the chemistry development of tailored nanomaterials and their applications in catalysis, especially CO2 electroreduction.
The award lecture takes place at the SCS Fall Meeting 2021 on September 10.
Sandmeyer Award 2021
Casale SA and Clariant, namely
Dr. Pierdomenico Biasi, Mr. John D' Alessandri, Mr. Ermanno Fillippi Mr. Sergio Panza, Casale SA and
Dr. Rene Eckert, Dr. Marvin Estenfelder, Dr. Stephan Reitmeier, Dr. Andreas Reitzmann, Clariant AG
for their achievements obtained in the field of catalysis and reaction engineering, especially for the development and implementation of the AmoMax®-Casale, a new catalyst for a greener and less energy consuming process for industrial large scale ammonia synthesis.
The award lecture takes place at the SCS Fall Meeting on September 10, 2021 and at the Freiburger Symposium on April 23, 2021.
SCS Senior Industrial Science Award 2021
Dr. Andrew Edmunds,
Syngenta Crop Protection AG,
for his impressive track record of achievements in the field of chemistry and crop protection reflected in 140 patents, 28 publications and more than 20 lectures at universities and international conferences.
The award lecture takes place at the SCS Fall Meeting 2021 on September 10.
SCS Industrial Science Award 2021
Dr. Cornelia Zumbrunn,
Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd,
for her key contributions as a medicinal chemistry project leader in the challenging field of antibiotic drug discovery, including her contributions to several anti-bacterial research projects and the development of a significant number of chemical series into advanced compounds, some of which were ultimately selected as preclinical development candidates.
The award lecture takes place at the SCS Fall Meeting 2021 on September 10.
SCS Green & Sustainable Chemistry Award 2021
Prof. Francesca Paradisi,
University of Bern,
for her ground-breaking work in developing eco-friendly and ultra-efficient biotransformations for the synthesis of high-value chemicals, dramatically increasing the applicability of biocatalysis.
The award lecture takes place at the 2nd Swiss Green & Sustainable Chemistry Day on October 20, 2021.
METAS Award 2021
Dr. Kristýna Kantnerová,
EMPA Dübendorf,
for her excellent and timely work in the field of metrology of clumped isotopes of nitrous oxides.
The award lecture takes place at the SCS Fall Meeting 2021 on September 10.
Simon-Widmer Award 2021
Prof. Andrew deMello,
ETH Zurich
for his great contributions to the field of bioanalytical science and microfluidic technology.
The award lecture takes place at the SCS Fall Meeting 2021 on September 10.
Dr. Max Lüthi Award 2021
Mr. Stefan Näf,
ZHAW Wädenswil
für seine herausragende Bachelorarbeit „Chirale Selektoren für die Enantiomerentrennung kleiner chiraler Moleküle“.
and to
Ms. Kristina Djordjevic,
FHNW Muttenz,
für ihre herausragende Bachelorarbeit „Generische SST`s im Kontext von HDX-MS Applikationen“
Grammaticakis-Neumann Award 2021
The SCS postponed the 2021 Grammaticakis-Neumann Award to 2022.
Balmer Prize 2021
No Prize is awarded in 2021. The next Prize will be in 2022.
Nomination deadline for the 2022 Awards is September 30, 2021.
scg.ch/awards
David Spichiger, SCS
10.12.2020
SCNAT Newsletter, December 2020
Zu viel Stickstoff und Phosphor in der Umwelt
Übermässige Stickstoff- und Phosphoreinträge schädigen Biodiversität, Wälder und Gewässer in der Schweiz, verstärken den Klimawandel und beeinträchtigen unsere Gesundheit. Weiter
Nachhaltige Entwicklung gezielt untersützen
Ein Whitepaper der Akademien der Wissenschaften Schweiz zeigt auf, welche Forschung die nachhaltige Entwicklung der Gesellschaft in der Schweiz bestmöglich unterstützt. Weiter
Das Forum zur Corona-Pandemie: Diskutieren Sie mit
Die wöchentliche Veranstaltung der Akademien der Wissenschaften fördert das Gespräch und den Austausch zwischen der Bevölkerung, den Behörden und der Wissenschaft. Weiter
Verbote bei fossilen Brenn- und Treibstoffen längerfristig kaum vermeidbar
Der Gegenentwurf des Bundesrates zur «Gletscher-Initiative» setzt wichtige Leitplanken für den Weg der Schweiz in Richtung Klimaneutralität. Die Vorgaben genügen aber laut den Akademien der Wissenschaften Schweiz noch nicht. So enthält der Entwurf zwar einen linearen Absenkpfad für den Ausstoss von Treibhausgasen bis 2050. Ein weitgehendes Verbot fossiler Brenn- und Treibstoffe schlägt der Bundesrat im Gegensatz zur Initiative nicht vor. Der Ausstieg aus fossilen Energien sei längerfristig aber kaum vermeidbar, wolle die Schweiz die Treibhausgasemissionen wirklich auf Netto Null senken, schreiben die Forschenden. Weiter
Forschung für gesellschaftliche Innovationen an Fachhochschulen
Fachhochschulen haben das grosse Potenzial, soziale Innovationen und gesellschaftliche Transformationsprozesse durch transdisziplinäre Forschung anzustossen und zu begleiten. Die neue Publikation des Netzwerks für transdisziplinäre Forschung beleuchtet Rahmenbedingungen und Handlungsfelder, damit diese Potenziale besser zum Tragen kommen. Weiter
Wie kann die Wissenschaft die Politik beraten?
Währen der Corona-Pandemie haben Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler mit der Swiss National Covid-19 Science Task Force in beispielloser Selbstorganisation Strukturen aufgebaut, die ein ständiges Reagieren auf die sich wandelnde Lage ermöglichen. Welche Lehren können aus der bisherigen Beratungstätigkeit gezogen werden? Wie kann die Wissenschaft die Politik in Zukunft beraten? Darüber unterhält sich Marcel Tanner, Präsident der Akademien der Wissenschaften Schweiz und Task-Force-Mitglied, an der virtuellen Podiumsdiskussion «Science after noon» am 17. Dezember 2020 mit Fachleuten. Weiter
Forschung im Ökosystem Wald
Die aktuelle Ausgabe der Nationalpark-Zeitschrift Cratschla, befasst sich mit dem Ökosystem Wald und seinen Leistungen. Forschende gehen den fortschreitenden Umweltveränderungen auf den Grund und thematisieren die Einflüsse des Menschen auf seine Mitwelt. Sie zeigen die komplexen Zusammenhänge auf und geben Antworten auf offene Fragen. Cratschla wird von der Forschungskommission des Schweizerischen Nationalparks der SCNAT herausgegeben. Weiter
Biosphärenreservate als Modellregionen einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung
Mit dem Sachbuch «Biosphäre 4.0» ist ein umfassendes Kompendium über Biosphärenreservate im deutschsprachigen Raum erschienen. Warum wurden sie gegründet? Wie werden sie verwaltet? Und was haben sie mit Nachhaltigkeit zu tun? Diese und weitere Fragen diskutieren namhafte Fachleute. Mitgewirkt hat auch das Forum Landschaft, Alpen, Pärke der SCNAT. Das Buch richtet sich an Forscherinnen, Praktiker, Parkmanagerinnen, Politiker und Wirtschaftstreibende. Weiter
Tatort Berg - Heldentaten, zwielichtige Geschäfte, Naturkatastrophen
An der Online-Veranstaltung des Alpinen Museums in Bern erzählen Menschen in rasanten Bildvorträgen, wie der Berg zum Tatort oder zum Täter wird. Heinrich Haller, ehemaliger Direktor des Nationalparks, weiss, wo gewildert wird. Wie Schutzwald und Klimawandel bestimmen, ob der Berg zum Täter wird, erforscht die Umweltnaturwissenschaftlerin Christine Moos. Heldentaten vollbringt der Rettungschef Marc Ziegler für die Alpine Rettung Grindelwald, während Maren Kern von Mountain Wilderness der Frage nachgeht, wie sich das Geschäft in den Bergen spurlos verrichten lässt. Der Anlass findet am 11. Dezember 2020 statt. Er wird vom Forum Landschaft, Alpen, Pärke der SCNAT mitorganisiert. Weiter
Citizen Science in der Schweiz vernetzen
Der Einbezug von Bürgerinnen und Bürger in die Forschung ist in der Schweiz auf fruchtbaren Boden gefallen. Seit mehreren Jahren werden Citizen-Science-Ansätze in verschiedenen Disziplinen und Zusammenhängen eingesetzt. «CitSci Helvetia 2021», die erste Schweizer Citizen-Science-Konferenz, bringt die Akteurinnen und Akteure zusammen, um die diversen Traditionen der Bürgerwissenschaft in der Schweiz zu entdecken und zu vernetzen. Die Veranstaltung findet am 14. und 15. Januar 2021 online statt. Mitveranstalterin ist das Kompetenzzentrum Science et Cité der Akademien der Wissenschaften Schweiz. Weiter
SWIFCOB 21: Biodiversität und Klima – die Transformation gemeinsam angehen
Die Tagung SWIFCOB 21 des Forums Biodiversität Schweiz der SCNAT bringt die beiden Themen Klima und Biodiversität mit ihren Communities zusammen, um gemeinsam über anstehende Herausforderungen und Lösungswege hinsichtlich des nötigen transformativen Wandels zu diskutieren. Die Veranstaltung findet am 5. Februar 2021 in Bern statt. Weiter
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