Position Summary

This position presents a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and education at the intersection of packaging and environmental sustainability. This will be a full?time, 9-month tenure system Assistant Professor position with 45% teaching, 45% research, and 10% service assignment. The position start date is anticipated to be August 16, 2025.  

The ideal candidate will develop an externally funded research program focusing on exploring mass transfer within packaging systems (i.e., food, beverage, medical), with a strong emphasis on the implications for environmental impact. The candidate should have a robust background in fundamental research and its application to address real-world packaging systems and mass transfer challenges. The candidate should possess a deep understanding of mass transfer principles, both from a theoretical and experimental perspective, including environmental and toxicological assessments. The ideal candidate will develop research on the identification and continuous monitoring of chemicals in packaging systems and evaluate their interactions with food, beverage, and medical products, as well as potential environmental impacts. The role involves devising cutting-edge detection methods and conducting predictive modeling and experimental investigations to evaluate the migration or release of substances such as additives, polyfluorinated substances? (PFAS), nanoparticles, and micro/nano plastics. This position is pivotal in pioneering safer and more sustainable packaging practices that align with the urgent need for understanding climate impact implications of packaging systems, both benefits and potential risks. Primary funding sources are anticipated to be from federal agencies, commodity groups, NGOs, and industry.  

Responsibilities: 

• Develop and lead an externally funded research program focusing on exploring mass transfer within packaging systems, with a strong emphasis on environmental impact and implications for climate-resiliency. 
• Conduct fundamental and applied research to address real-world packaging systems. 
• Develop interdisciplinary research on the identification and continuous monitoring of chemicals in packaging systems and evaluate their interactions with food, beverage and medical products, as well as potential environmental impact. 
• Devise cutting-edge detection methods and conduct predictive modeling and experimental investigations to evaluate the migration or release of substances such as additives, PFAS, nanoparticles, and micro/nano plastics. 
• Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses related to mass transfer, environmental engineering, sustainable packaging, and implications for climate resiliency. 
• Publish in high-quality refereed journals and establish strong ties with the industry. 
• Mentor and supervise graduate students and engage in academic advising and other departmental and university service activities. 
• Participate as a collaborative colleague with responsibilities in the functioning of the unit’s governance and inclusive culture.  

The School of Packaging is well known worldwide for offering exemplary educational experiences in the science of packaging. The candidate would have the opportunity to create and teach short courses for industry professionals and contribute to the growth of the school’s outreach program.

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.  

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 support can be found at http://miwin.msu.edu/. Information about WorkLife at MSU can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu/  

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 - Packaging or a closely related field such as Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, Environmental Engineering, Material Science, Toxicology,

Minimum Requirements

An earned Ph.D. in Packaging or a closely related field such as Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, Environmental Engineering, Material Science, Toxicology, or related fields. A demonstrated record of teaching, research, and service activities relevant to the position. 

Desired Qualifications

Desired qualifications: 

• Experience working in research-intensive, multidisciplinary environments. 
• Ability to conduct basic and applied research while addressing the issues in the packaging industry. 
• Knowledge of current and emerging concerns of the packaging industry. 
• Ability to secure industry and/or competitive grant funding. 
• Evidence for the potential to develop a strong publication record. 
• Experience in mentoring peers and undergraduate and graduate students. 
• Experience in teaching undergraduate and graduate student courses, as well as courses for industry professionals. 
• Interest in providing leadership and service in professional scientific associations.

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 (maximum 2 pages each) 

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

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

Review of Applications: The search committee will begin reviewing applications on 1/31/2025 and continue until a suitable candidate is selected.  

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

Review of Applications Begins On

01/31/2025

Website

www.packaging.msu.edu

Department Statement

Commitment to Creating a Sense of Belonging:  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. 

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.

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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