[AISWorld] Virginia Tech - Open Rank Faculty Position in Data Analytics/Decision Science in Sustainable Biomaterials

[Tabitha James]

Full-time, Tenure-track Faculty Position in Data Analytics/Decision Science
in Sustainable Biomaterials

Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia

 The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech (sbio.vt.edu
<https://cnre.vt.edu/content/sbio_vt_edu/en/index.html>) is seeking
applicants for a faculty position in data analytics/decision science in
sustainable biomaterials. This position is open rank and can be filled at
the assistant, associate, or professor level. This is a full-time,
tenure-track position available August 2019.

*Position description*

We are seeking a colleague with formal quantitative training and a
demonstrated interest in applying quantitative tools, techniques, and
skills in manufacturing or business environments, as well as in linking our
academic interests to real-world, private sector businesses in the
following areas: data mining, statistical process control, analytical
modelling, business intelligence, big data analytics, and statistical
analysis, as they relate to the biomaterials and packaging industries.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated excellent teaching,
including the ability to develop and teach several courses (undergraduate
and/or graduate) in these areas. Demonstrated interest in aligning overall
programming to real-world manufacturing/business environments is essential.
We are seeking an individual who has the ability to better link our
programming to the private sector, establishing strong partnerships that
would result in research funding, graduate student research projects,
undergraduate research projects, internships, and permanent employment for
our students. Supervision of graduate students is expected. The appointment
is approximately 50 percent research and 50 percent teaching. Service to
the department, college, university, and professional societies and
organizations is expected.

The ability to develop a strong, externally funded research program and
publication record is essential for success at Virginia Tech. Applicants
must provide evidence of the skills necessary to secure external funding
and evidence of a research track focused on data analytics/decision science
as applied to manufacturing/business intelligence. The specific research
specialty is open, but preference will be given to candidates who can
strengthen research collaborations at Virginia Tech through investigations
and projects involving data-driven modeling and/or analysis of
large/complex data sets.

 *Required qualifications*

·       Ph.D. in wood science, sustainable biomaterials, packaging,
decision science, industrial engineering, supply chain management,
information technology, operations research, business information
technology, statistics, or a closely related field.

·       Experience in data mining, statistical process control, analytical
modeling, business intelligence, or big data analytics.

·       Demonstrated ability in the following areas:

o   Developing and maintaining a nationally recognized research program.

o   Publishing high-quality refereed publications.

o   Teaching a minimum of two undergraduate courses and one graduate course.

o   Effectively working with students, faculty, staff, and industry
partners from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds.

o   Mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

·       Applicants seeking appointment at rank of associate or assistant
professor must have a demonstrated record of scholarly accomplishment that
meets department, college, and university expectations for appointment at
that rank. For appointment at rank of professor, considerable demonstrated
scholarly activity worthy of North American and/or international
recognition is required.

 *Preferred qualifications*

·       Teaching, research, and/or industry experience in the areas of
marketing, packaging, green building systems, green engineering, business
intelligence, and/or manufacturing applied to renewable-based industries.

·       Demonstrated potential or proven record of collaboration,
scholarship, research funding, and teaching effectiveness, and shared
values of inclusion and service.

 *Application process*

Candidates must apply online at listings.jobs.vt.edu/.

Application materials should include the following information:

·       Curriculum vitae

·       Cover letter expressing a statement of interest in the position

·       Separate statements of research and teaching interests

·       Names, titles, and complete contact information for three references

 An official transcript for highest degree earned is required prior to the
start of employment for the selected candidate.

Questions and inquiries may be addressed to Dr. Henry Quesada (
quesada at vt.edu), chair of the search committee.

Application review will begin January 21, 2019, and continue until the
position is filled. The start date for the position is no later than August
10, 2019.

*Equal opportunity/affirmative action statement*

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or
applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including
pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic
information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual
orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees
or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or
the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis
protected by law. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies,
contact the Office for Equity and Accessibility at 540-231-2010 or Virginia
Tech, North End Center, Suite 2300 (0318), 300 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg,
VA 24061.

 *About Virginia Tech*

Virginia Tech, founded in 1872 as a land-grant institution, is currently
ranked as a Top 25 Public University by U.S. News & World Report and a Top
25 Public Research University by the National Science Foundation. Through a
combination of its three missions of learning, discovery, and engagement,
Virginia Tech continually strives to accomplish the charge of its motto: *Ut
Prosim* (That I May Serve). As the commonwealth's most comprehensive
university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech serves a
diverse population of 30,000+ students and 8,000+ faculty and staff from
over 100 countries, and is engaged in research around the world.

Virginia Tech's main campus is located in the New River Valley, nestled in
the heart of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Blacksburg offers the
charm of a small town combined with the modern conveniences of a
metropolitan area, and is a short driving distance from abundant public
land, including the Monongahela, George Washington, and Jefferson National
Forests and Shenandoah National Park.

Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT <https://www.inclusive.vt.edu/>—
serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. We seek
candidates who adopt and practice the Principles of Community, which are
fundamental to our ongoing efforts to increase access and inclusion, and to
create a community that nurtures learning and growth for all of its
members. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to
join our community in preparing leaders for the world.

*About the College of Natural Resources and Environment*

The College of Natural Resources and Environment, one of nine college units
at Virginia Tech, was established in 1992. The college is composed of four
academic departments (Fish and Wildlife Conservation, Forest Resources and
Environmental Conservation, Geography, and Sustainable Biomaterials),
serving more than 1,000 undergraduate students. The college has about 180
faculty and staff, including 75 tenure track faculty. More than 300
graduate students are enrolled in our programs, which include both an
online master of natural resources degree and a cohort-based executive
degree in the National Capital Region. The college’s Advising Center, with
dedicated professional academic advisors assigned to each department, works
in partnership with faculty mentors focused on student success and the
college’s director of employer relations.

Faculty research awards total $15-20 million annually in the college’s
research-intensive, student-centered environment. Two of our departments
are among the top 10 academic departments at Virginia Tech in average
research dollars awarded annually, and the college ranks second among
colleges at Virginia Tech in research expenditures per FTE. The college
hosts several NSF centers as well as numerous other research and outreach
centers engaged with state and federal agencies and the private sector. The
college manages a nearly 1,300-acre forest located close to campus that is
utilized on a weekly basis for student learning and research, as well as a
forestry research site in Critz, Virginia. College Factual has ranked the
college as No. 1 for the study of natural resources and conservation for
four consecutive years. The forestry degree program is ranked No. 1 by
College Factual for the second consecutive year, and the packaging systems
and design degree program is ranked No. 7 among the top 20 programs
nationally by Value Colleges.

 *About the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials*

The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials was established in 1979 and is
one of the largest programs in North America. It currently has nearly 200
undergraduate students, and its 18 faculty average nearly $2 million
research dollars annually. In 2012, the department adopted its current name
to better reflect the faculty’s expertise, and, in 2014, established two
separate degree programs. The sustainable biomaterials degree (which
reflects our past wood science program) continues to focus on teaching the
fundamentals of the processing, manufacturing, drying, and marketing of
wood and other biomaterials. The packaging systems and design degree
emphasizes the importance of the sustainable use of packaging materials
(packaging and pallets remain the largest use of wood fiber in the
country), how packaging can enhance product performance and markets, and
how new uses of wood fiber can be used to replace petroleum based plastics.
The department houses two major industrial-affiliated research centers, the
Wood Based Composite Center and the Center for Packaging and Unit Load
Design. The department has one of the largest wood products extension
programs in the country, and extension specialists cover all aspects of
wood manufacturing, drying, secondary processing, business management, and
marketing.

*Tabitha L. James, Ph.D.*
<https://bit.vt.edu/bit-directory/james.html>  | *Associate
Professor of Business Information Technology*
Pamplin College of Business | Virginia Tech