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Job no: 749765
Work type: Faculty/Academic Staff
Major Administrative Unit / College: College Of Agriculture And Nat Resources
Department: Packaging 10002634
Sub Area: FAS- Fac./Acad Staff
Salary: Salary Commensurate with Experience
Location: East Lansing
Categories: Research/Scientific, Tenure System Faculty, Full Time (90-100%), Non-Union
Position Summary

The School of Packaging at Michigan State University invites applications for a full‐time, 9 month Endowed Chair Professor position focusing on sustainable packaging systems with 50% research, 30% teaching, and 20% service/outreach assignment. The position start date is anticipated to be August 2022.

Packaging is an interdisciplinary field integrating science, engineering, technology and management to protect and identify products for distribution, storage, sale, and use. It encompasses the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. Packaging is a system integral to the value chain that impacts product quality, user satisfaction, distribution efficiencies, and safety. Design and creation of novel and sustainable packaging systems, in concert with value chain stakeholders, are essential for the development of an emerging circular economy emphasis where resource and energy use, waste and emissions are minimized. Many stakeholders across the packaging ecosystem have financial and environmental interests creating a complex web of factors when considering sustainable packaging solutions. To accelerate the adoption of sustainable packaging solutions, novel materials and systems must be developed and analyzed from an environmental and full lifecycle perspective, with special emphasis on end-of-life implications.

The Amcor Endowed Chair in Packaging Sustainability addresses the challenges of today’s complex value chain for sustainable packaging solutions. The successful candidate will be an internationally recognized action-orientated thought leader working across the entire packaging ecosystem, including raw material producers, packaging manufacturers, brand owners, waste collection companies and municipal recycling facilities. Novel approaches and stakeholder collaboration across the value chain using a full lifecycle analysis approach will be critical for developing the partnerships and packaging solutions that will lead to scalable implementation. The Endowed Chair will champion this approach across academic, commercial and government stakeholders and across existing and yet-to-be developed packaging systems (traditional polymers, compostable materials, re-usable systems, etc.).

Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program in Packaging Sustainability, with a focus on full lifecycle and environmental modeling, cradle-to-grave packaging design, sustainable material development, recycling and end of life issues. Potential areas of specialization include one or more of the following:

Determination and quantification of the interactions between consumers, packaging materials, packages and end of life solutions, including financial and environmental impact modeling of packaging systems across the entire value chain (raw material production to end of life).

Development of new and novel sustainable packaging materials.

Design of sustainable packaging systems to solve wicked packaging problems such as marine plastic waste and food packaging waste.

Design of novel packaging recycling methodologies to reduce waste.

Design of packaging systems with minimal cradle-to-grave environmental footprint and optimized end of life solutions for developed and/or emerging economies.

Lifecycle analysis tool expertise, including tool development/enhancement and industry standard protocols for third party certification.

The successful candidate will provide research leadership in areas related to packaging sustainability solutions 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, commercial and scientific associations, and establishing strong ties with the private sector. A proven record and commitment to team building, interdisciplinary research, and strong collegiality will be critical characteristics for the successful candidate. The candidate will also be expected to demonstrate interest and excellence in teaching. The initial teaching assignment will be one to two courses per year at the undergraduate or graduate level. The candidate will also advocate for packaging sustainability through local, national and international involvement with government, NGO and corporate entities. In addition, the candidate will serve in leadership positions for trade-groups, non-profit organizations and other influential bodies related to packaging and sustainability.

Location: The position will be based at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI, USA. Michigan State University (MSU) is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, and scientists that provide regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in teaching. In addition, consistent with its Land Grant origins, the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension programs that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food, energy, water and the environment. 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 >500,000. 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 at http://worklife.msu.edu/

Salary and Benefits: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a generous benefits package (details at https://hr.msu.edu/benefits/index.html).

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Packaging, Engineering, Environmental Science

Minimum Requirements

An earned Ph.D. (in Packaging, Engineering, Environmental Science, Material Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a closely related field).

Desired Qualifications

The strongest candidates will have: a) interest and/or experience in packaging sustainability, design, and/or plastic recycling

b) industry experience and/or a demonstrated understanding of the current and emerging needs of sustainable packaging systems

c) a strong publication record

d) a record of competitive grant funding.

Current associate professors on a strong trajectory will be considered for the position.

Required Application Materials

For consideration, submit your application online at http://careers.msu.edu

Upload the following required documents:

a) a letter of application

b) a written statement (limited to 2 pages) that outlines your research vision as it relates to the field of packaging. Please, discuss the rationale (why) and strategies (how) of your research directions for both short (five years) and long-term (15 years or more)

c) a current curriculum vitae

d) a statement of Teaching Philosophy as it relates to Packaging Sustainability, Recycling and End of Life (limited to 1 page)

e) a summary describing how a commitment to diversity and inclusion informs past and future professional contributions in creating an inclusive 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)

f) the names and email addresses of at least three references.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Together-we-will StatementThe university is requiring all MSU students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with limited exceptions. Learn more at: https://msu.edu/together-we-will/Special Instructions

Review of Applications: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on

March 7,2022 and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Co-Chairs: Dr. Euihark Lee (leeeuiha@msu.edu or 517- 355-7613) or Dr. Laurent Matuana (matuana@msu.edu or 517-353-4616), School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA..

Review of Applications Begins On

03/07/2022

Website

www.packaging.msu.edu

Department Statement

The School of Packaging (SoP), founded in 1952, is the leading institution in packaging education and research. As the only U.S. university offering a Ph.D. program in packaging, the School of Packaging at MSU attracts students from a variety of disciplines around the world. Our community of scholars is poised for significant growth and a commitment to improving practice through the land-grant mission of Michigan State University. We are seeking a colleague who can contribute, through their research, teaching, and service, to the diversity and excellence of the academic community and who will build collaborative ties with other departments across the University.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: 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. Candidates are invited to view the CANR norms. https://www.canr.msu.edu/diversity/dei-statement

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Advertised: Dec 23, 2021 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close: Dec 23, 2023 Eastern Standard Time