Professional Practice Assistant or Associate Professor

Utah State University; Illinois; On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established institution is seeking a Professional Practice Assistant or Associate Professor to join their innovative team. This exciting role focuses on teaching in the new online Master of Bioprocessing and Biomanufacturing program, where you will contribute to curriculum development and engage with industry partners. You will have the opportunity to shape the future of students in the biomanufacturing field, ensuring they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge. If you are passionate about education and have extensive experience in the bioprocessing industry, this position offers a unique chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic and supportive environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in biomanufacturing/bioprocessing industry.
• Knowledge of cGMPs and FDA processes required.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to curriculum development and teach courses in bioprocessing.
• Coordinate with industry partners for student internships.
• Travel to teaching sites for training in biomanufacturing skills.

Skills

Biomanufacturing

Bioprocessing

Lean Six Sigma

Quality Assurance

Quality Control

Technical Writing

Interpersonal Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in STEM/Life Science

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

Canvas

Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS)

Job description

Overview

In support of the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) Life Science Talent Workforce Initiative, the Department of Biological Engineering at Utah State University seeks applications for a Professional Practice Assistant or Associate Professor (non-tenure track) position to teach courses, with a focus on the new online Master of Bioprocessing and Biomanufacturing program.

Assistant Professor: This position requires at least five years of experience in the biomanufacturing/bioprocessing industry, in technical training of industry employees regarding biological reactors (fermenters and mammalian cell culture bioreactors) operations and monitoring, and Lean Six Sigma certification. Requires knowledge and experience with quality assurance and quality control, FDA inspection and approval processes.

Associate Professor: This position requires at least seven years of experience in a technical leadership position in the bioprocessing/biopharmaceutical industry, in working with industry clients, and in developing innovative biological reactors operations and processes for specific industry product targets.

Further inquiries should be made to: Dr. Anhong Zhou, Search Committee Chair Email: [e-mail]

Responsibilities

Assistant and Associate Professors will:

• Contribute to curriculum development.
• Keep close contact with industry partners for arranging subject matter experts (SMEs) to deliver the lectures per semester to cover critical topics such as emerging biomanufacturing techniques, industry standards, and emerging trends in the field.
• Coordinate with the contact of our industry partners for arranging facility tours.
• Work with our industry partners to assist students in seeking industrial internships.
• Assist the MS program director to recruit students.
• Travel to teaching sites in Utah to train participants and students in industry-relevant biomanufacturing and bioprocessing skills and biological reactor operations.
• Participate in assigned department and university duties.

Assistant Professors will:

• Teach a minimum of five courses per school year, including lecture and laboratory components by proficiently using USU online teaching resources (Canvas, long distance learning tools, etc.). Courses to be taught address the following topics, but not limited to: regulation/cGMP/ quality management systems, downstream processing, microbial fermentation, agro-bioproduct manufacturing, technical writing, industrial biotechnology, and biopharmaceuticals entrepreneurship, and nutraceutical and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Associate Professors will:

• Teach a minimum of five courses per school year, including lecture and laboratory components by proficiently using USU online teaching resources (Canvas, long distance learning tools, etc.). Courses to be taught address the following topics, but not limited to: upstream processing, mammalian cell culture, monoclonal antibody production and purification & vaccine manufacturing, medical device & diagnostics manufacturing, technical writing, industrial biotechnology, and biopharmaceuticals entrepreneurship, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Evidence of at least five years of experience (seven years for Associate Professors) in biomanufacturing/bioprocessing industry.
• Bachelor degree or higher in a STEM/Life Science field.
• Demonstrated understanding of current Good Manufacturing Processes (cGMPs) in regulatory compliant biomanufacturing process-development and operations.
• Extensive experience in operating microbial fermenters and mammalian cell culture bioreactors.
• Excellent oral, written, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills for building industry relations.
• Assistant Professors must have:
  • Extensive knowledge of Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC), Quality Management Systems and experience with the FDA inspection and approval process.
• Associate Professors must have:
  • Extensive knowledge of Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC), Quality Management Systems, and Good Documentation Practices (GDP).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior teaching/training experience.
• Demonstrated familiarity with scale-down and scale-up tools.
• Assistant Professors should have:
  • Demonstrated familiarity with Electronic Document Management Systems (EDMS) – preferably MasterControl.
  • Proficiency in technical writing of industry protocols and reports, as well as generation of quality documents such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Master Batch Records (MBRs), Deviations, and Corrective and Preventative Actions (CAPAs).
• Associate Professors should have:
  • Demonstrated familiarity with Single-Use Technologies (SUTs) and Process Analytical Technology (PAT).
  • Proficiency in technical writing of industry protocols and reports, as well as generation of quality documents such as Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Design of Experiments (DOE), Critical Quality Attributes (CQAs), Critical Process Parameters (CPPs), Quality by Design (QbD).

Required Documents

Along with the online application, please attach:

• Curriculum Vitae to be uploaded under Resume/CV
• Names and contact information of at least three professional references included in the application process
• Cover letter summarizing motivation, qualifications, experience, and career goals
• A two-page teaching statement that explains your approach to teaching individuals within an industry setting

Documents #3-4 should be uploaded under Other Documents 1-10

Document size may not exceed 10 MB.

Advertised Salary

Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits.

ADA

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes.

College/Department Highlights

USU Biological Engineering has about 180 undergraduates, 38 Masters and PhD students, and 11 faculty members. USU is located in a spectacular Rocky Mountain valley that offers year-round recreation which is located 80 miles north of Salt Lake City, a major metropolitan center. For additional information on USU or the department, please consult: www.usu.edu www.be.usu.edu

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at [phone] or [e-mail].

*updated 02/2025

Notice of Non-discrimination

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, [e-mail], Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, [e-mail], Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, [e-mail]