About the role
Position Summary
This position is funded by the USDA Forest Service and US Endowment for Forestry and Communities, with funding for 12 months.
This position will be filled in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory located in Madison, Wisconsin, but will be located on campus in East Lansing MI.
Position will entail:
- Conducting experimental research
- Tasks including production on cellulose nano-materials
- Manufacturing cellulose nano-composites
- Characterization of composite materials
The candidate should be conversant in characterization techniques including those for mechanical properties, optical properties, and barrier properties as well as food shelf life testing.
As an institution of higher learning, Michigan State University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, faculty, and staff in support of its educational mission. With this commitment, the University conducts criminal background checks and professional misconduct reviews of all applicants for employment in faculty, academic staff, and executive management searches.
Professional Misconduct Review
A professional misconduct review is a prerequisite for a candidate to be selected for this position. Applicants will be asked to disclose whether they are subject to any pending investigation, findings or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Professional misconduct includes misconduct related to a person’s employment, including, but not limited to, theft, embezzlement, research integrity, discrimination, or harassment under civil rights laws and policies, including protected identity harassment, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct (sexual assault, sexual exploitation, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, etc.), and retaliation. All applicants will be asked to sign an authorization and release, which authorizes the University to contact the candidate’s current and former employers, for a period of 7 years prior to the date of application, related to any pending investigations, findings of responsibility and/or sanctions related to professional misconduct. Nothing will be sent to current or former employers unless the candidate reaches the semi-finalist stage.
The existence of professional misconduct history does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment. The University will assess the history, including any information provided by the candidate, in determining whether it is compatible with the position. The University may decline to hire a candidate based on the professional misconduct review. All records obtained from external employers will be kept in a secure location, separate from personnel files. If an applicant fails to sign the authorization and release, the application will be deemed incomplete and will be withdrawn.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Terminal -Polymer Chemistry, Materials Science and/or engineering fields.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have doctoral degree in a relevant polymer chemistry, materials science and/or engineering fields.
The ideal candidate should have experience in:
- Polymer processing and polymeric material characterization
- Demonstrated skills in the entire research cycle including conceiving of a project
- Performance experiments
- Statistical analysis of data
- Strong writing skills
Desired Qualifications
Experience in packaging, biomaterials and sustainability is desired but not required. Opportunities also exist for collaborating and working on interdisciplinary projects.
Required Application Materials
- Recent CV
- Cover letter
- Research interests
- Three letters of reference
Special Instructions
Review of applications will begin on 9/24/2026 and will continue until a suitable candidate is selected.
Review of Applications Begins On
09/24/2026
Website
www.packaging.msu.edu
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.