Position Summary

The School of Packaging at Michigan State University invites applications for a full‐time, 9-month tenure track Assistant Professor position with 45% teaching, 45% research, and 10% service assignment focused on medical packaging. It is expected that candidates from a variety of backgrounds will apply. Successful candidates will be expected to bring their own training and expertise to this position to develop a nationally/ internationally recognized research program focused on ways that packaging can positively impact healthcare.  Potential benefactors of these impacts could be any of several varied supply chain stakeholders, and dependent variables measuring impacts could include improved: efficiency, product efficacy/shelf life, sustainability, or cost savings in addition to benefits to healthcare providers or patient outcomes.

Successful candidates for this position will develop an internationally recognized research program centered on healthcare packaging, leveraging their unique training and background.  The position's start date is anticipated to be January 1, 2024.

Teaching
A successful candidate will teach, and expand on, the existing course in medical packaging, providing excellent preparation for students who engage in varied career paths (industry, academic, government, and NGOs). The candidate will be expected to stay abreast of technology, regulations, design for circularity, and environmental, social, and other trends that prepare students for a future career working with medical/healthcare packaging. 
The successful candidate is initially expected to teach one upper-division course on medical packaging and one to two other courses (based on departmental needs) per year. 

Research
The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the diverse research portfolio of the school by developing a nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary research program focused on medical packaging to provide novel insights/solutions related to problems that can occur in any area of the supply chain. An integral part of this growth will enable growth opportunities for the students (Undergraduate, Graduate, and Post-Doctoral) they mentor in the same area. Research may focus on materials, design, quality control, safety and useability, leachables and extractables, labeling, regulations and standards, logistics and cold chain, security and tracking, sustainability, etc. The candidate will establish innovative research programs, secure competitive grants, publish in high-quality refereed journals, and establish strong ties and collaborations with researchers within and outside of MSU, as well as key stakeholders in industry, government, and other relevant groups (e.g., associations, community organizations).

Service
The successful candidate is expected to provide leadership and service in professional, scientific, and regulatory associations/agencies (e.g., FDA, CDC, CHPA, ISO), and establish strong ties with the private sector. The successful candidate is also expected to serve on various department, college, and university committees. The candidate will be asked occasionally to create and teach short courses for industry/government professionals in service to the growth of the School’s outreach program. 

The School of Packaging (SoP): 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.

The 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.

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 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 Americans with Disabilities Act (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 and other types of support for balancing work and personal lives can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/ 

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

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, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Material Science, Packaging, Engineering

Minimum Requirements

An earned Ph.D. in Packaging or other including, but not limited to Material Science and Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Microbiology, Health Science, Chemistry, Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance/Quality Control, Risk Management/Communication, Toxicology and Environmental Science. 

Desired Qualifications

a) Experience working in research-intensive, multidisciplinary environments,
b) Ability to conduct basic and applied research while addressing the issues in the medical packaging industry,
c) Knowledge of current and emerging needs of the medical packaging industry (healthcare, biologics, pharmaceutical, medical device, etc.),
d) Ability to secure industry and/or competitive grant funding,
e) Evidence for the potential to develop a strong publication record,
f) Experience in mentoring undergraduate and graduate students,
g) Experience in teaching undergraduate and graduate student courses, 
h) Participation in initiatives providing leadership and service in professional, scientific associations.

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.

Required Application Materials

 Upload the following required documents:

a) letter of interest that includes qualifications for the position (1 page)

b) a separate statement of research and teaching philosophy highlighting how your experiences align with the position (2 pages)

c) current curriculum vitae

d) a description of how you will contribute to our diversity, equity, and inclusion goals (1 page)

e) contact information for three professional references.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Special Instructions

Review of Applications: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on September 15, 2023 and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.

Questions regarding this position can be addressed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Eva Almenar at ealmenar@msu.edu, School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.

Review of Applications Begins On

08/15/2023

Website

www.packaging.msu.edu

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.

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About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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