Faculty Position - Biomanufacturing
Assistant Professor, Biomanufacturing
Department of Biological Systems Engineering
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
Virginia Tech
The Department of Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) at Virginia Tech invites applications for a 9- month, tenure-track, faculty position (60% research/40% teaching) at the assistant professor rank with a focus in Biomanufacturing. We seek candidates who are interested in using biological systems (e.g., living/resting microbes, eukaryotic cell cultures, plants, tissues, enzymes, or synthetic biology) to produce commercially important biomolecules for use in the agricultural, food, materials, energy, and pharmaceutical industries. The position comes with access to a state-of-the-art pilot-scale facility in addition to laboratory space in a new research building. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally-recognized research program focused on new and/or improved biomanufacturing tools for the production of value-added products. The successful candidate will also be expected to teach at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and develop a graduate course that complements other BSE courses.
The successful candidate will contribute to the Biodesign and Bioprocessing priority area in the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to engage in transdisciplinary research, curriculum, and/or outreach initiatives with other university faculty working in the Intelligent Infrastructure and Human-Centered Communities (IIHCC) Destination Area (DA) at Virginia Tech. The IIHCC DA is focused on bringing visionary humanists and technologists together to create the framework for infrastructure innovation and the reinvention of community. Faculty working together in this area are committed to transdisciplinary solutions that exist along the interdependencies between humans, community, and infrastructure with the ultimate goal of improving quality of life around the globe. Information about Destination Areas at Virginia Tech is available at provost.vt.edu/destination- areas.html.
The BSE department is a diverse, dynamic, and rapidly expanding unit that includes faculty members conducting cutting-edge research in Bioprocess/Biomolecular Engineering and Watershed Science and Engineering, while implementing crucial extension programming through Virginia Cooperative Extension. The BSE department is affiliated with two nationally ranked colleges: the College of Engineering and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. The department has close collaborations with many faculty, departments, and institutes across the university and state that are involved in biomanufacturing, engineering, and biological research.
A Ph.D. degree in Agricultural, Biochemical, Biological, or Biological Systems Engineering (or a closely related field) is required, and preference will be given to candidates with at least one degree in engineering. Candidates should demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills. Preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications, extramural funding, teaching excellence; demonstrated experience with interdisciplinary teaching and/or research in areas that align with Virginia Tech’s university-wide, multi-disciplinary focus on Intelligent Infrastructure and Human-Centered Communities; and experiences and interests in culturally diverse groups.
Apply online at www.jobs.vt.edu (job posting TR0170173). Review of applications will begin on January 2, 2018 and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants must complete the faculty application online and upload (1) a cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a research statement describing current research and future plans, and (4) a teaching statement describing teaching philosophy and experience, and (5) names and contact information for three references.
Virginia Tech has a strong commitment to the principles of diversity, and in that spirit seeks a broad spectrum of candidates including women, people of color, and people with disabilities. Individuals with disabilities desiring accommodations in the application process should notify Melody Clark, (mclark5@vt.edu) (540) 231-6615 by the review date.
Direct inquiries to Dr. Ryan Senger, Search Committee Chair and BSE Associate Professor, senger@vt.edu, (540) 231-9501 or Dr. Mary Leigh Wolfe, BSE Department Head, mlwolfe@vt.edu, (540) 231-6092.