FOCUS as relevant as possible. Because of limited resources, however, the department can act on only 25-30% of the requests for new SRMs. New projects The earliest reference materials produced by NBS were metal and ore standards needed by the mining and metallurgical industries. To this day, those standards are well represented in the SRM catalog. However, over the years the program has evolved to meet the multifarious needs of a wider spectrum of users. The many groups now employing SRMs include government and academic laboratories, lighter manufacturing industries, and service industries. Environmental and biological standards head the list of new standards that have risen to positions of prominence in the past few decades. In ' the past five years, nutritional standards have also experienced strong growth. Although NBS can afford to develop only about 50 new standards each year (out of some 150-200 requests), the responsiveness of the SRM program is nevertheless impressive. Recently a researcher in Florida called to suggest that NBS develop a bone standard— for example, ground-up cow bone— that could be used in studies relating calcium concentration to osteoporosis. That standard should become available next year. Rasberry's department will also soon offer reference materials for beef and egg, thereby extending the list of food standards, which includes such things as a rice flour standard and a mixed diet standard. The growing interest in atmospheric pollutants has stimulated the department to develop a variety of gas-in-air standards. Examples of gas standards now in development are carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and multiple toxic organic gases. Stan Rasberry recognizes the fact that the SRM program has fundamental limitations. He has remarked that it is tough to tailor the program to the specific needs of chemists. The program is designed to provide primary, high-quality standards, which, in many cases, are extremely expensive. When researchers use less expensive secondary standards (based on the primary standards), a certain degree of rigor ousness is lost. That can lead to the problem that Rasberry fervently hopes to avoid: the use of standards without a proper understanding of both their powers and limitations. To contact Stan Rasberry, write to the National Bureau of Standards, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899. Don Cunningham
Opportunities in San Antonio Diversity, expertise, technology, and an environment for professional success. These are the hallmarks of The MITRE Corporation. For over 25 years, MITRE has specialized in the design, development and delivery of superior C3I and civilian systems engineering solutions to meet the most technically demanding requirements of our U.S. Government clients. MITRE has immediate openings at its San Antonio facility that provide the dynamic atmosphere of a small company supported by the resources of a major, 5,000-employee corporation.
Analytical Chemists/ Quality Assurance We have 2 positions open for highly qualified individuals to help us develop and monitor quality assurance activities in a major environmental sampling and analysis program. Individuals will be responsible for developing Q A / Q C requirements and evaluating commercial testing laboratories' performance in meeting those requirements. Evaluations will be based on a review of data and documentation and on-site inspections of laboratory operations. Both positions require expertise in analytical chemistry, a working knowledge of Q À / Q C principles and practices, and hands-on experience with the instrumentation and methods used in environmental testing (e.g., A A , ICP, GC, GC/MS). Experience with EPA test methods is highly desirable. The first position requires an advanced degree in Analytical Chemistry, 10 years of analytical laboratory or quality assurance experience, and at least one year of experience in environmental laboratory supervision. The second position requires a BS in Chemistry with emphasis on analytical procedures plus at least 5 years of experience in the quantitative analysis of environmental samples under a comprehensive Q A / Q C program. Individuals must be willing to travel 10 to 12 weeks a year. For consideration, please submit your resume to J . A . G o u d a r z i , The MITRE Corporation, 7 5 2 5 Colshire Drive, McLean, VA 2 2 1 0 2 . U.S. Citizenship required. A n Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
MITRE ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, VOL. 60, NO. 7, APRIL 1, 1988 • 473 A
