ROCHESTER, N.Y., Dec. 3 -- Eastman Kodak Co. has named James C. Stoffel to fill the newly created position of director of research and development for the company. Jack C. Chang was appointed associate director of R&D. Both men are Kodak corporate vice presidents.As director, Stoffel will oversee the company's global research and development initiatives. Stoffel will report to Carl F. Kohrt, Kodak's chief technical officer and an executive vice president of the company. Prior to these appointments Stoffel served as director of R&D with responsibility for imaging equipment and software, while Chang was director of R&D with responsibility for imaging materials and media.Kodak employs approximately 5,500 men and women in research and development in six countries across the globe. The company noted that it has been among the top ten companies in terms of US patent grants for the past several years. Kodak estimated R&D expenditures for 1999 to be around $870 million.