Lubbock
Assistant Professor of Biopolymers for Biomedical Applications33211BR
Plant and Soil Science
Position Description
Contributes to the university's mission through teaching, research and service, some variation by academic unit.
About the Department and/or College
THE INSTITUTE: The Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute is an international leader in: (1) research and technology transfer in fibers and textiles; (2) academic and professional education; (3) testing, evaluation, and consultation related to fiber and textile product properties; (4) development of textile testing methods and instrumentation; (5) determination of physical, chemical, and structural properties of natural polymers, (5) textile manufacturing, and (6) development of a new generation of bioproducts from non-food biomass. Currently, FBRI has 5 full- time faculty, 4 postdocs, 15 full-time technicians, 2 support staff, and 12 graduate students (M.Sc. and Ph.D.) involved in various research projects. Teaching is done through the Department of Plant and Soil Science.
THE DEPARTMENT: The Department of Plant and Soil Science is a comprehensive academic unit conducting research and offering coursework and programs in several areas of plant and soil science. We have 34 full-time faculty members and a student body consisting of approximately 170 undergraduate and 120 graduate students. Many of these students are enrolled in our distance education program. B.S. level degrees are offered in Horticulture and Turfgrass Science and Environmental Crop and Soil Science. M.S. degrees are offered in Plant and Soil Science and Horticulture with a Ph.D. in Plant and Soil Science including, among other tracks, a concentration in Fibers and Biopolymers. Additionally, we offer four certificate programs. The department is research-intensive while fostering strong teaching expectations and commitments. Students in the department are educated to meet the challenge of using soil, water, and plant resources for sustainable production and post- harvest benefits.
THE COLLEGE: The Davis College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources is a leading college at Texas Tech University with six academic departments: Agriculture and Applied Economics, Agricultural Education and Communications, Animal and Food Sciences, Landscape Architecture, Plant and Soil Science, and Natural Resources Management, as well as multiple research centers and institutes. For the most recent academic year, the college had 100 tenured/tenure-track faculty, 2,100 undergraduates, 390 M.S. and Ph.D. students. CASNR has an annual operating budget of more than $10M and receives approximately $21M annually in research funding.
THE UNIVERSITY: Texas Tech University is one of four major state-supported multidisciplinary universities in Texas. The University consists of 10 colleges, a School of Law, the Graduate School, and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Currently, more than 40,000 students attend classes at the Lubbock campus. The City of Lubbock has about 230,000 residents, a moderate to low cost of living, and is situated on the Llano Estacado (Southern High Plains).
Major/Essential Functions
The Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute in the Department of Plant and Soil Science at Texas Tech University seeks an ambitious candidate with a strong focus on sustainable biopolymers, bioproducts discovery and development to advance a research program in Sustainable Bioproducts and strengthen our current research team. The vision for this position is to create opportunities for sustainable product development for biomedical applications. This is a 9-month, tenure-track position with expectations to perform world‐class research, teaching (one or two classes/academic year), participate in activities of national and international scientific communities, and exhibit professional excellence. Service duties include program-building, as well as commitment to extra-curricular activities. Service to the department, college, and university is expected. Additional summer salary could be supported through teaching and/or research. Teaching responsibilities include graduate courses, direction of graduate student's research, students' advising, and otherwise advancing education.
Strategic research focus areas include discovering uses of underivatized biomasses and transformation of biopolymers to materials for biomedical applications (e.g. biomaterials for implants and drug delivery, antimicrobial materials, tissue engineering, wound healing and skin applications).
The position offers opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation across several disciplines such as engineering, science, manufacturing, entrepreneurial and medical at both Texas Tech University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
Generation of extramural grant support is expected, particularly from nationally-competitive funds. Candidates who have very strong records of scholarship supported by extramural funding and who have proven capacity or clear potential to bring externally sponsored research to Texas Tech University are highly encouraged to apply.
Organization
Texas Tech University
Required Qualifications
Ph.D. degree from a field relevant to Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, or a closely related field. Demonstrated record of effectiveness as a teacher, a record of peer reviewed publication and/or peer-reviewed creative activity which has contributed to the discipline or field of study, to the candidate's intellectual and artistic development, and to the quality of the academic enterprise; a record of professional service appropriate to the discipline; promise of growth in teaching and research or artistic and creative activity.
Preferred Qualifications
Two years of postdoctoral experience related to biopolymer chemistry, biopolymers processing, and bioproducts preparation, and demonstrate strong expertise in the preparation of materials for biomedical applications, with a proven record of peer-reviewed publications.
The successful candidate should demonstrate hands-on experience focused on the characterization, development, and production of smart materials from biopolymers with a level of intellectual curiosity to expand the research beyond traditional biopolymers (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, chitin) to cover a range of other biomacromolecules such as proteins, lipids, bioactive compounds and innovative biomanufacturing processes. Experience with successful proposal writing (Federal agencies) is preferred.
Safety Information
Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.
Does this position work in a research laboratory?
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applicants should submit a complete CV, teaching evaluations if appropriate, official transcripts, along with a statement of research, teaching, and outreach philosophy. Applicants should supply names of five individuals who may be contacted for letters of reference.
Questions should be addressed to Dr. Noureddine Abidi, Search Committee Chair, Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas 79409, Phone 806.834.1221; email: [email protected].
Required Attachments
Cover Letter, Professional/Personal References, Research Statement, Resume / CV, Teaching Philosophy, Transcript
Job Type
Full Time
Pay Basis
Monthly
Pay Statement
Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. For additional information, please reference the institutional pay plan by visiting www. depts.ttu.edu/hr/payplan.
Travel Required
Up to 25%
Shift
Day
Grant Funded?
No
Job Group
Assistant Professor
EEO Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.
Salary Grade
800