Assistant/Associate Professor of Practice in Packaging Systems and Design

Job Description

The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials invites applications for the position of Professor of Practice at the Assistant or Associate level, in Packaging Systems and Design (PSD). We seek an accomplished packaging professional and educator who will provide essential instructional leadership, expand experiential and international education, strengthen industry partnerships, and prepare students for careers in the rapidly evolving packaging sector.

The position is proposed as 75% teaching, 10% applied scholarship/industry engagement, and 15% service and will play a central role in the departmental coordination for internships (PSD Bridge Experience) and industry-sponsored capstone activities.

Teaching and Mentoring Expectations

The faculty member will carry a 3:3 teaching load and coordinate the PSD Bridge Experience. Initial teaching will include SBIO 2004 Computer-Aided Design in Packaging in fall and spring, SBIO 4054 Packaging Practicum in fall and spring, and SBIO 3954 Culture, History and Environment study abroad. During the first two years, the faculty member will develop a new advanced computer-aided design course and is expected to assume leadership of study abroad experiences, including those in Ireland and Australia/New Zealand. Teaching should integrate emerging technologies, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence, into structural design and capstone problem-solving.

Research, Scholarship, Extension, and Engagement Expectations

The position does not require a traditional independent research program. Applied scholarship will center on leading an industry-funded undergraduate capstone model, presenting project outcomes at professional or national conferences, and developing sustained relationships with packaging industry associations and employers. The faculty member will use professional networks to expand internship opportunities, sponsored projects, mentoring, and career opportunities for students.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in packaging science/engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, wood science, sustainable biomaterials, or a closely related field by appointment start date.
• Several years of industrial or applied professional experience in packaging systems, design, CAD, product development, or related areas.
• Demonstrated ability to teach, mentor, or train students or professionals in applied settings.
• Evidence of strong industry relationships and the ability to support experiential learning and career preparation.
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally to support student travel

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters or Doctoral degree in packaging science/engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, wood science, sustainable biomaterials, or a closely related field by appointment start date.
• Experience with packaging CAD, structural design, capstone or sponsored-project instruction, and emerging AI-enabled design workflows.
• Experience leading international or study-abroad education.
• Engagement with professional organizations such as ISTA, PMMI, IoPP, or the Sustainable Packaging Coalition.
• Experience developing industry-sponsored educational projects or internship pipelines.
• Experience with AI implementation in an educational format
• Experience with AI use during the packaging development process
• Professional credentials and certifications such as CPP, PDP, etc.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$65-$75,000 for Assistant; $75-$85,000 for Associate

Hours per week

40

Review Date

November 1, 2026

Additional Information

Applicants should submit the following documents:

• Cover letter describing their interest in the position (up to one page)
• Curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information for three professional references.
• Statement describing their teaching and mentoring approach (up to two pages) to include:
  • Your approach to effective teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate level.
  • Courses that you would offer to enhance the Packaging Systems and Design curriculum.
  • How your expertise, interests, and goals would contribute to the Packaging Systems and Design program and its faculty community.
  
  

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

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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