Job Information
Michigan State University(MSU) Specialist - Teacher-Fixed Term in East Lansing, Michigan
Position Summary
The School of Packaging (www.canr.msu.edu/packaging)) in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Michigan State University (MSU) is seeking qualified applicants for a Specialist-Teacher position. This is a 100% time fixed-term position with a teaching /outreach & service (70%/30%) assignment with a potential start date of January 2024.
*Academic Specialist is a job category specific to MSU. The initial appointment will be for a one-year contract, with the possibility of annual renewal based on satisfactory performance and funding availability.
Responsibilities: The preferred candidate should have experience which enables diverse learners to develop technical knowledge related to a variety of different packaging topics. Industry experience and the ability to synthesize industry experiences to course topics is preferred.
Teaching (70%) - The position focuses on teaching core and elective undergraduate and graduate packaging classes that leverage broad expertise focused on packaging. Areas of teaching will build from a broad experience related to packaging science, including but not limited to areas of packaging materials and processes, package design, data analytics, various packaging-specific software, as well as supply chain issues having to do with the value chain and distribution dynamics. Coverage of these topics could range from introductory level to project-based applications with external clients and will be tailored to the candidate's interests and experience. Curricular development should include recent research and reflect current industry needs and trends. To develop an understanding of the entire portfolio of courses offered by the School of Packaging, please reference MSU's Course Catalog and search course subject "PKG." Teaching responsibilities will also extend into the outreach & service appointment (as indicated below).
The candidate will be expected to engage, inspire and support all learners (from packaging students to professionals) to ensure learning objectives are met. Learning outcomes will be measured through the use and assessment of various pedagogical strategies that engage learners with a breadth of learning styles while fostering a sense of student belonging to the school and the discipline of Packaging. Active learning strategies and effective pedagogical methods are a must for this position.
Outreach & Service (30%) -- The candidate will provide instruction for non-degree and continuing education learners and industry professionals. The ideal candidate will provide and deliver novel, forward-thinking content for all levels of learners. Outreach & service examples are, teaching non-credit short courses for industry professionals, leading student organizations, participating in School and university committees, assisting with the online master's program, and networking with university partners.
The successful applicant will mentor students academically, provide support and oversight for school programs, and liaise with industry and other academic partners to enrich the student experience. Additionally, the candidate will be expected to participate in school governance in accordance with the School of Packaging's by-laws. One example of school governance is participation in the school's curriculum committee.
Michigan State University -- School of Packaging: As the premier Land Grant University, MSU has strong interrelated programs across the spectrum of food, health, and sustainability and is committed to linking food, environment, and human health. The School of Packaging, founded in 1952, is the leading institution in packaging education and research. As the only university offering a Ph.D. pro