Associate/Full Professor of Polymer Engineering and Science

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Penn State Erie, The Behrend College (Penn State Behrend), invites applicants for an open rank tenure-track position in Polymer Engineering and Science (PES), and to also serve as department chair of the program, starting Spring term (January) or Fall term of 2025. The successful candidate will have a demonstrated record of success in teaching and research appropriate for a tenured appointment. Teaching areas will include but not limited to polymer science, biomedical materials, rheology, melt processing and polymer characterization. Research is integrated into the student learning experience through our Open Lab model where learning and discovery are applied to solve problems defined in partnership with industry and government. Research areas of interest that align with the college's research focal areas include sustainable polymers, materials for energy storage and battery systems, and polymer applications in women's health/biomedical initiatives. A planned Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness with research capabilities for sustainable polymers should open in 2026.

The chair will be responsible for the direction of the teaching, research, and service of the newly formed Plastics Engineering and Polymer Science Department which houses two degrees: Polymer Engineering & Science program and Plastics Engineering Technology. The chair is a member of the school leadership team, mentors faculty, is responsible for faculty teaching assignments, leading ABET accreditation efforts, and student advising. Since the degree is relatively new (approved by the University in 2020) the chair will have a strong focus on enrollment growth and will manage the staffing and instructional and research implications of the growth plan.

A terminal degree in Polymer Science, Polymer Engineering, Plastics Engineering/Technology, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related field is required. Industrial experience is seen as favorable.

Assistant Professor -The assistant professor should possess a terminal degree or its equivalent in organized research or professional practice; must have demonstrated ability as a teacher or research worker; and must have shown definite evidence of growth in scholarly, artistic, or professional achievement.

Associate Professor -The associate professor should possess the same qualifications as the assistant professor, but must also provide evidence of an established reputation in scholarly, artistic, or professional achievement.

Penn State Behrend (http://www.behrend.psu.edu) is a comprehensive four-year and residential college of Penn State, located in Erie, Pennsylvania. The college is committed to excellence in teaching, research, and outreach, and prides itself on the balance it achieves between teaching and research. Located on a beautiful, wooded hilltop campus, Penn State Behrend offers its nearly 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students an inspiring and technologically advanced environment characterized by close student/faculty interaction. The School of Engineering has over 1,800 students in our ABET accredited programs, and is recognized as a top engineering school.

Erie, a metropolitan area of 280,000, is located on Lake Erie's beautiful Presque Isle Bay. The region offers many cultural, sports, and recreational resources, including Pennsylvania's most popular state park.Erie County is a major industrial, medical, service, and tourism center, and is within a two-hour drive of Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo.Residents benefit from a rejuvenated Bayfront District while enjoying a modest cost of living and affordable housing. There are five colleges in the area.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please upload a cover letter, complete CV, a teaching statement, a research statement, a diversity statement, and the names of three references at the time of application completion.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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