Working/Functional Title
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Tenure System
Position Summary
The College of Engineering at Michigan State University (MSU) invites applications for a tenure-system faculty position in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science (ChEMS) in the areas related to composite materials science and manufacturing. Candidates must have an earned PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline at the time of appointment, starting as early as summer of 2027. Applications will be accepted at all ranks. This position leverages the MSU-Fraunhofer USA Center Midwest (CMW) collaboration, designed to address global grand challenges and national priorities through the creation of new faculty positions in some of the most promising – and critical – fields of research related to coatings, materials, and advanced manufacturing.
The candidate is expected to complement the growing composites portfolio at MSU and CMW with a focus on fundamental and applied research and industry interaction. The position requires close collaboration with CMW and Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT) in Germany, as well as other Fraunhofer Institutes active in the composite space. In particular, the candidate will support the ongoing coordination between the composites activities at MSU – including the Composite Materials and Structures Center (CMSC) – and CMW.
All areas of composite materials and manufacturing will be considered, with particular interest in:
- Experimental processing and manufacturing of structural composites, especially continuous-fiber thermoplastics
- Composite material, interface, and surface development
- Multifunctional and discontinuous-fiber composite systems
- Process monitoring, modeling, automation, and AI-assisted manufacturing
- Design and optimization informed by process–structure–property relationships
- Sustainable, recyclable, and circular composite technologies
- Advanced multi-scale and in situ characterization of composite microstructures and interfaces to establish processing–structure–property relationships
Preference will be given to candidates who can develop a strong experimental laboratory and translate fundamental materials research toward manufacturing applications, including structures for the mobility industry.
Other qualifications include strong leadership and interpersonal skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, an ability to work in a collaborative international research environment, and a commitment to fostering and advancing inclusion. Joint appointments with other engineering departments are possible, considering existing strengths and capabilities, and the candidate’s preferences. With this position, the candidate is expected to advance the reputation of MSU and Fraunhofer through their professional activities. Those who conduct research with broad impact on society at large are of high interest.
This is a union position represented by the Union of Tenure System Faculty (UTSF). The university is working with the union to establish a collective bargaining agreement.
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
Doctorate -PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
Minimum Requirements
- Have an earned PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related discipline at the time of appointment
- Potential for high-quality instruction and mentoring at the undergraduate and graduate levels
- Demonstrated ability and/or potential to provide service to the Department, the University, and the profession, and to work with students and faculty from a variety of backgrounds
- For Assistant Professor candidates: strong potential for high-quality research likely to result in top-level publications and national recognition
- For Associate/Full Professor candidates: an established national reputation for original and influential research, with demonstrable evidence of continued growth in national status
Desired Qualifications
- Demonstrated leadership ability, with strong interpersonal skills and the capacity to build effective working relationships across diverse teams
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly to varied audiences
- Proven ability to thrive in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment
Required Application Materials
The application must include the following materials:
- A detailed CV
- A cover letter summarizing your qualifications (up to five pages)
- A research vision statement (up to five pages)
- Names and contact information for at least three professional references
The vision statement should address the potential impact of work and how it aligns with the existing strengths of the Department, College, CMW, and other programs at MSU in the context of emerging industrial applications. Data indicates a paucity of underrepresented minorities and women faculty in engineering disciplines; individuals from these groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
Special Instructions
Review of applications will begin on 12/01/2026 and continue until the position is filled. Questions about this position are welcome and should be directed to the search committee chair by email at compositesfacultysearch@egr.msu.edu.
Review of Applications Begins On
12/01/2026
Website
https://engineering.msu.edu/departments/chems
Department Statement
About The Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Department
The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Michigan State University is recognized for excellence in research, innovation, and engineering education. The department offers comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs that emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, hands-on learning, and the development of solutions to complex challenges in energy, health, sustainability, manufacturing, and advanced materials.
About The College of Engineering
For more than 130 years, the MSU College of Engineering has advanced, shared, and applied engineering knowledge to tackle society's most pressing challenges. Guided by MSU's land-grant mission, we prepare exceptional graduates, conduct breakthrough research, and drive innovations that improve lives locally and globally. As an R1 institution, we support our faculty and students with world-class facilities and robust infrastructure for discovery and application, underscored by the college's $71 million in annual research expenditures.
Our eight departments span computational sciences, energy, health, manufacturing, materials, mobility, security, and sustainability. Through strong collaboration and mentorship, the college provides an environment where faculty can thrive, lead transformative research, and help shape the technologies and solutions of the future.
About Fraunhofer USA, Inc.
Fraunhofer USA, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that bridges the gap between academic discovery and industrial innovation. Founded in 1994, the organization conducts applied research and development for industry, state governments, and federal agencies across the United States. Fraunhofer USA’s Center Midwest (CMW) has been co-located on Michigan State University’s campus since 2002.
Working closely with its founding partner, Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft—Europe’s largest applied research and development organization—Fraunhofer USA combines German engineering excellence with American entrepreneurial drive to accelerate technological advancement. Through research centers strategically partnered with leading U.S. universities, the organization specializes in advanced manufacturing, sustainable energy, artificial intelligence, software systems, and materials science.
Fraunhofer USA’s position within the global Fraunhofer network and its strategic partnerships provide access to domestic and international resources that enhance its research and development services. In an increasingly competitive global environment, the organization strengthens national and transatlantic collaboration in education, applied research, and innovation, helping organizations of all sizes bring new technologies to market and address critical societal challenges.
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.
