Assistant/Associate Professor of Distribution Packaging

Virginia AG; Blacksburg (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Tech invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor in Distribution Packaging within the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. The successful candidate will strengthen a nationally distinctive program in protective and industrial packaging and contribute to the Packaging Systems and Design program.

The role includes building an externally funded research program, collaborating across Virginia Tech, and engaging with CPULD and the Packaging Innovation Hub to

Qualifications

• Evidence of potential for excellence in university teaching and graduate student mentoring.
• Evidence of strong potential to establish a competitive externally funded research program and publish high-quality scholarship.

Responsibilities

• Build a nationally recognized, externally funded research program in protective and distribution packaging.
• Collaborate across Virginia Tech with Food Science, engineering, and transportation-related entities.
• Engage in CPULD operations and Packaging Innovation Hub activities to expand partnerships.

Skills

Teaching excellence

Mentoring

Grant proposals

Publications

Education

Ph.D. in packaging science/engineering or related field

Job description

Job Description

The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant / Associate Professor (open rank) of Distribution Packaging. The successful candidate will strengthen a nationally distinctive program in protective and industrial packaging and contribute to the long-term growth of the Packaging Systems and Design (PSD) program. We seek a scholar whose work advances packaging performance across distribution systems, including protective packaging, pallets and unit loads, packaging dynamics, testing, optimization, and resilient supply chains.

Teaching and Mentoring Expectations

The position carries a 50% teaching, 40% research, and 10% service appointment, with a standard 2:2 teaching load expected by the end of the second year. Core teaching will include SBIO 4024 Packaging Design for Global Distribution and SBIO 4224 Industrial Packaging, with SBIO 5664 Advanced Packaging Dynamics offered on a rotating basis. The faculty member may also develop a Protective Packaging for Engineers course serving students beyond the department.

Research and Service Expectations

The successful candidate will build a nationally recognized, externally funded research program in protective and distribution packaging. Expectations include submitting external proposals annually by year two, actively participating in the McIntire-Stennis program and pursuing other appropriate federal, industry, and capacity funding, producing high-quality publications, and contributing research findings to national and international standards. The faculty member is expected to collaborate across Virginia Tech, including with Food Science, engineering programs, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, and the newly established Packaging HUB.

Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design (CPULD) Engagement

The successful candidate will be actively involved in the operation of the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design (CPULD), which provides testing, research, and design services to the packaging and unit load industries. It also encompasses active engagement in the Packaging Innovation Hub, an interdisciplinary initiative that CPULD is leading for promoting collaborative packaging research and industry partnerships across Virginia Tech, bringing together faculty, researchers, and external stakeholders to address emerging challenges in packaging science and engineering. The candidate will be expected to build and maintain productive relationships with packaging companies, work directly with Center clients on testing, design, and applied research projects, and contribute to the Center's continued growth by developing new industry partnerships and expanding its portfolio of services. The candidate should demonstrate the interest and ability to assume, over time, a leadership role in the Center's operations and strategic direction.

Service Expectations:

The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate effectively with colleagues within the department, across Virginia Tech, and with government agencies, industry partners, non-governmental organizations (ISO, ISTA, ASTM), and other academic institutions. The candidate will also contribute to departmental, college, and university service activities and engage with external stakeholders on packaging engineering challenges.

The rank considered for this position will be either assistant professor or associate professor. Rank is determined based on the selected candidate’s commensurate experience and impact.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in packaging science/engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, wood science, sustainable biomaterials, or a closely related field by appointment start date.
• Evidence of potential for excellence in university teaching and graduate student mentoring.
• Evidence of strong potential to establish a competitive externally funded research program and publish high-quality scholarship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in packaging dynamics, distribution packaging, protective packaging, or pallet and unit-load design.
• Experience with package testing, modeling, optimization, standards development, or industry-sponsored research.
• Experience working with packaging, pallet, logistics, or transportation industries.
• Experience building collaborative research across engineering, food science, transportation, agriculture, or natural resources.
• Experience with professional standards organizations.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$85-$95,000 for Assistant; $100-$124,000 for Associate

Hours per week

40

Review Date

October 15, 2026

Additional Information

Applicants should submit the following additional documents:

1. Cover letter describing their interest in the position (up to one page)

2. Curriculum vitae

3. Names and contact information for three professional references.

4. Teaching and Mentoring Approach Statement (up to two pages)

Details to include:

• Your approach to effective teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• 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.

5. Research, Scholarship, or Professional Program Statement (up to three pages)

Details to include:

• Your research vision, areas of expertise, and planned research agenda, including alignment with the Packaging Systems and Design program.
• Strategies for establishing and sustaining a productive and impactful research program.
• Strategies to establish partnership with packaging stakeholders and contribute to the operation of the Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design.
• The facilities, laboratory space, equipment, and other resources needed to support your research program.

Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Young Kim, Chair, Search Committee: Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, College of Natural Resources and Environment. Phone: [phone] or email: [e-mail].

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.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Angela Riegel at [e-mail] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.