Assistant Professor-Distribution & Dynamics

Position: The School of Packaging (www.packaging.msu.edu) in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University (MSU) is seeking qualified applicants for an Assistant Professor. This is a tenure-stream position with a research/teaching/service (60%/30%/10%) assignment and can begin as early as August 2017. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an externally funded research program with a focus on ensuring package integrity, product quality and waste reduction during distribution. Potential topics of interest include: compression, shock, fragility, vibration, environmental factors (altitude, temperature, static electricity) and standardized performance testing of packaging systems. Candidates should be knowledgeable in heat and mass transport, thermodynamics, fluid and solid mechanics. Experience with finite element modeling (FEM), computational fluid mechanics (CFD) and system modeling is desirable.
Responsibilities: The individual will be expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program in packaging distribution. Research should employ basic and applied sciences while addressing the issues and opportunities inherent in the changing supply chain. MSU encourages interdisciplinary collaboration. Potential research collaborators include faculty from the College of Engineering including Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering; MSU’s renowned Supply Chain Management program and the Midland Research Institute for Value Chain Creation. Research support facilities available include the Composite Materials and Structures Center, the Center for Advanced Microscopy, and the Institute for Cyber-Enabled Research (iCER), home to MSU's High Performance Computing Center (HPCC) among others, in addition to available facilities within the School of Packaging.
The successful candidate will provide leadership in research on interactions between packaged products and the and the physical environment by developing an innovative research program, securing competitive external grant funding, publishing in high quality peer-reviewed journals, mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, providing leadership and service in professional and scientific associations, and establishing strong ties with the private sector. The candidate will also be expected to demonstrate interest and promise of excellence in teaching. The initial teaching assignment will be one to two courses per year at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
Qualifications: Candidates must have the following qualifications: a) a doctoral degree in Mechanical
Engineering, Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering, Mechanics, Material Science, or a closely related field; b) at least one degree (BS, MS, or PhD) in engineering; c) a record that indicates the potential for success in a research intensive environment. The strongest candidates will have: A) applied principles of engineering to packaging and/or the distribution environment, B) industry experience and/or a demonstrated understanding of the current and emerging needs of industry, C) a record of competitive grant funding, and D) experience with finite element modeling (FEM), computational fluid mechanics (CFD) and system modeling.
Michigan State University - School of Packaging: As the premier Land Grant University, MSU has strong interrelated programs across the spectrum of food, health, and sustainability and is committed to linking food, environment, and human health. The School of Packaging (SoP), founded in 1952, is the leading institution in packaging education and research. As the only university offering a Ph.D. program in packaging, the School of Packaging at MSU attracts students from a variety of disciplines around the world. The school is poised for significant growth that will support MSU goals. Furthermore, the highly collaborative and and productive faculty provides a very positive environment for professional growth and program expansion.
The School’s reputation was largely founded on the creation and application of fundamental knowledge
related to distribution and dynamics. Recognizing the need to continue and bolster this important line of inquiry, a strategic plan developed by the faculty has identified “Packaging Distribution and Value Chain” as one of three key platforms that form the basis for its research, teaching and outreach missions. This position is a key part of an initiative aimed at improving the efficiency of logistical systems. The other strategic platforms are Packaging Materials and Sustainability, and Food, Health and Biomedical Packaging. We anticipate several faculty hires in the next few years.
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University is committed to achieving excellence by creating and sustaining an accessible and inclusive culture that values cultural and academic diversity. We are an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. The CANR is particularly interested in candidates of all backgrounds who are committed to the principle that academic excellence is achieved through open access and proactive inclusion.
MSU enjoys a park-like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is located in the city of East Lansing, adjacent to the capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of approximately 450,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the ADA, and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support can be found at http://miwin.msu.edu/. Information about WorkLife at MSU can be found http://worklife.msu.edu/
Application Procedure: Qualified applicants should submit A) a letter of application, B) a summary of research accomplishments and a statement of research direction and interest (limited to 2 pages), C) a current curriculum vitae, D) a statement of Teaching Philosophy (limited to 1 page), E) a summary of experience with diversity in the classroom and/or research endeavors, any experience in mentoring diverse students, and an explanation of how you will contribute to our goals of inclusive excellence (limited to 1 page), and F) the names and email addresses of three references online at https://jobs.msu.edu (posting #_4588) .Review of applications will begin on March 15, 2017 and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about the position should be addressed to Dr. Laura Bix, Search Committee Chair, School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing MI 48824-1325. Telephone 517 355-4556, E-mail: bixlaura@msu.edu.