"Assistant Professor of Biopolymer Engineering"

Position Overview

• Distribution of Effort: 65% Research / 25% Teaching / 10% Service
• Position Track: Tenure-Track
• Location: The Ohio State University, CFAES Wooster Campus

Position Description

FABE seeks a tenure-track faculty member with expertise in the area of biopolymer engineering. Research areas of high priority include synthesis and analysis of renewable biopolymers, including alternative sources of natural rubber. The position is partially funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research Center for Transformation of American Rubber through Domestic Innovation for Supply Security (TARDISS). FABE is fully committed to Ohio States Shared Values, which include bolstering Innovation.

Performance Objectives

Develop and/or expand an independent research program in biopolymer engineering including presenting research results at national and international meetings, securing extramural funding, and producing impactful publications. Advise graduate and undergraduate students, including FABE and honors students. Demonstrate an ability to cultivate positive learning environments. Teach one course per year in the FABE undergraduate and graduate engineering programs. Work collaboratively with university faculty and staff, FABE, and/or OSU extension, government agencies, non-government organizations, and/or community groups to advance the land grant mission of the college and university. Actively serve FABE, university, and professional communities through faculty governance, committee participation and other appropriate activities.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required:

• Earned Ph.D. in Polymer, Chemical and/or Biological Engineering or a closely related discipline (e.g. chemistry or materials science) with at least one degree in engineering.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Desired:

• Registration as, or eligibility to become, a Professional Engineer.
• Experience developing and working in multi-University interdisciplinary research teams.

Ohio State provides access to a depth and breadth of opportunities and resources. Starting your first day, Ohio State offers you a comprehensive benefits package.

How to Apply

To be considered, please submit your application electronically via https://hr.osu.edu/careers/. Application materials must include:

• Cover letter describing your qualifications, areas of expertise, career goals, and alignment with desired qualifications and preferred qualifications where applicable.
• Curriculum Vita (CV).
• Statement of Research that addresses goals for establishing and growing a research program in the area of biopolymer engineering (two-page limit).
• Statement of Teaching and Mentoring that addresses philosophy of teaching, approaches and experiences in working with students from diverse backgrounds,
• Name and contact details of three references.

Initial consideration will be given to applications received by January 12, 2026. Review of applications will continue until the position has been filled. We welcome informal inquiries, which can be made by contacting Search Committee Chair, Dr. Frederick Michel at michel.36@osu.edu.

The Department

FABE is located on two campuses: Wooster and Columbus. It includes a diverse faculty of 26 tenure-track professors, with eight members holding joint appointments with other academic units. FABE offers undergraduate and graduate programs in Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering as well as undergraduate programs in Agricultural Systems Management and Construction Systems Management.

Total enrollment in FABE exceeds 470 students. U.S. News and World Reports ranks FABEs undergraduate program 8th and graduate program 10th, nationally. Research areas include bio-based materials, renewable energy, urban and agricultural water management, food processing and safety, digital agriculture, remote sensing, controlled environment agriculture, indoor air quality, waste valorization, and agricultural health and safety. FABE faculty are highly regarded for their teaching, research and extension and outreach programs. Annual grant and contract expenditures for the academic unit exceed $6M.

The College

The mission statement of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is: We Sustain Life. Faculty, staff and students alike contribute to this mission in a variety of ways. Our Strategic Alignment outlines the colleges values: Land-Grant Scholarship; Lifespan Learning; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Integrity and Accountability; and Permeable Borders. These values, which align with the universitys Shared Values, shape our goals of our Strategic Alignment. We are committed to scholarship across three mission areas (teaching, research, Extension) with a commitment to serving our state, country and world. As a land grant, we are part of a cooperative structure that includes key partners all dedicated to integrating research, education, and Extension to improve the food and agricultural sectors, the environment, and the quality of peoples lives. We educate not just undergraduate and graduate students but learners across their lifespan. We work to ensure that groundbreaking scientific discoveries are brought out of the laboratory and into the hands of those who can put them to use.

CFAES houses 11 departments/schools with over 20 undergraduate majors and 9 graduate programs, including 3 interdisciplinary programs affiliated with multiple Ohio State colleges. We also administer OSU Extension, which provides robust and relevant programming to Ohioans and beyond in the areas of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Community Development. We are one college spanning three campuses: Columbus, CFAES Wooster, and Statewide. Our CFAES Wooster campus includes a large research station as well as Ohio States only two- year academic unit, Ohio State ATI. The Statewide campus includes 11 research stations and county Extension offices in all of Ohios 88 counties. Our At a Glance provides additional information regarding our size, capacity, and impact as a college.