Job Description

The Packaging Systems and Design program, housed in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech, invites applications for the position of Collegiate Assistant Professor in Packaging Systems and Design. This nine-month (full-time) and non-tenure track position comes with a renewable three-year contract and the opportunity for promotion (for more information on the Collegiate Professor ranks, see https://faculty.vt.edu/faculty-handbook/chapter05.html). Long-term funding exists to support the position, and the selected candidate will have an opportunity to supplement their annual salary by conducting scholarly activities or teaching during the summer months.
The candidate will advance the instructional mission of the department by teaching courses, engaging in curricular development and course transformations, adopting innovative and inclusive pedagogical practices, and enhancing undergraduate research and/or outreach opportunities. The expected course load is up to three courses per semester.
We seek a dynamic candidate with expertise in packaging science or packaging engineering who will teach introductory as well as advanced-level undergraduate packaging courses. Successful candidates will teach an introductory packaging course and other courses, dependent upon the selected candidate's expertise, in the following areas:
* Packaging manufacturing, robotics, and automation for package engineering
* Packaging value chain and fast-moving consumer goods
* Packaging marketing, packaging development and innovation
* Packaging sustainability
* Pharmaceutical and medical packaging
* Plastic polymer processing for rigid and flexible packaging
* Computer-aided packaging design, packaging graphics and prototyping
* Specialty and military packaging
* Data analytics and advanced computational applications to packaging
The responsibilities also include a scholarly component, which may involve pedagogical advancements and/or packaging-related research that, preferably, engages undergraduate students. Collegiate professor faculty members may conduct research on the scholarship of teaching and learning related to the packaging field and present their findings in professional venues, but there are no expectations for an extensive research program as is typical of tenure-track faculty appointments. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to advise graduate students and mentor undergraduate students.
The candidate will be expected to serve on departmental, college, or university committees as a contributing member of the department and the broader university community and engage in the department's undergraduate and graduate student recruitment activities.
Recognizing the critical importance of diverse teams, the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials is working to diversify its faculty by actively recruiting from groups that historically have been marginalized. Building on Virginia Tech's motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), the Department is dedicated to serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence - InclusiveVT. We seek candidates who adopt and practice efforts to increase access and inclusion to create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all. The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials is also an active participant in Virginia Tech's cross-campus, multi-year Inclusive Excellence grant program, funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (see more at: https://ie.vt.edu). Accordingly, candidates with experience teaching, mentoring, and/or advising students from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Required Qualifications

1. Ph.D. in packaging science, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, supply chain, industrial design, or other similar disciplines
2. Ability to develop and teach university-level lectures, laboratories, and hands-on experiential learning courses in packaging
3. Demonstrated teaching or training experience
4. Demonstrated commitment to the principles and practices of nurturing a diverse and inclusive community

Preferred Qualifications

1. Demonstrated teaching effectiveness in packaging areas (described above) at a university or college setting
2. Multiple years of teaching experience
3. Demonstrated record of teaching, advising, mentoring, and/or working with individuals from under-represented communities, including racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, immigrants, and those that identify as LGBTQ+
4. Industrial experience in relevant packaging fields

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$65,000-$75,000, commensurate with experience

Review Date

September 1, 2023

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Application Process

Application materials should include the following information:

• a cover letter including a statement of interest in the position (one page max)
• a curriculum vitae
• a Teaching Statement (two pages max.) that describes the candidate's: teaching experience/history including evaluations or other metrics, pedagogical approaches used; philosophies about learning and how that is reflected in your teaching; how student learning and/or teaching effectiveness were assessed; and future ideas or plans for inclusive pedagogical experimentation or innovation
• a Diversity Statement (two pages max.) that describes the candidate's: experience engaging with students of diverse backgrounds (e.g., students from underrepresented historically marginalized groups, first-generation college students, etc.) and/or fostering diverse perspectives; perspectives on the meaning of diversity, equity, and inclusion mean and how the candidate has or will incorporate these aspects into their teaching, research and/or service; and approach for creating an inclusive environment in the classroom, laboratory and/or broader university community
• Names, titles, and complete contact information for three references

All application materials must be submitted electronically, using the online system at , referring to posting No. 526396. Review of candidate files will begin on September 1, 2023, and continue until a suitable candidate is identified. University transcripts (undergraduate and graduate) may be requested after the initial review of applications.

More information about the position can be found at: . Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Laszlo Horvath, Chair, Search Committee: Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, College of Natural Resources and Environment, Virginia Tech, 1650 Research Center Dr, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Phone: 540-231-7673 or email:.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Angie Riegel at ariegel@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.