The Department of Sustainable Biomaterials invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant or Associate Professor in Sustainable Systems. We seek a systems-oriented scholar working at the intersection of industrial ecology, sustainable biomaterials, energy systems, circular economy, and industrial decarbonization. Rank will be determined based on the selected candidate’s commensurate experience and impact.

The successful candidate will strengthen the growing Sustainable Systems Science major by integrating material and energy flows across supply chains, infrastructure, manufacturing, packaging, and bio-based systems. Relevant approaches may include life-cycle assessment, carbon accounting, sustainability analytics, renewable and bioenergy systems, and modeling of energy-material interactions.

Teaching and Mentoring Expectations

The position is a 50% teaching, 40% research, and 10% service, with a standard 2:2 teaching load expected by the end of the second year. Core instructional responsibilities include SBIO 2514 Applied Industrial Ecology, SBIO 3545 Society, Sustainability, Biomaterials, and Energy, SBIO 4724 Sustainable Systems Science Capstone, and development of a new SBIO 2XXX Materials-Energy Systems and Analytics course. During the transition period, the faculty member may provide temporary coverage for SBIO 4164/5164G Sustainability Performance and Assessment. The faculty member will play a central role in the Sustainable Systems Science Bridge Experience program, supervise capstone and undergraduate research, and contribute to curriculum development in energy systems, decarbonization, and sustainability analytics. Study abroad courses with students are also possible.

Research, Scholarship, Extension, and Engagement Expectations

The successful candidate will establish a nationally recognized externally funded research program addressing sustainability and energy-transition challenges. Expected areas include industrial ecology, energy-material systems, industrial decarbonization, circular systems, renewable or bioenergy systems, carbon accounting, and life-cycle assessment. The candidate is expected to pursue funding from agencies such as NSF, DOE, EPA, USDA, as well as industry and foundations, and to support graduate training and interdisciplinary initiatives; this includes submitted external proposals annually by year two, and active participation in the USDA’s McIntire-Stennis program. Research should be integrated with teaching and experiential learning.

Service Expectations

The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate effectively with colleagues within the department, across Virginia Tech, and with government agencies, industry partners, non-governmental organizations (ISO, ISTA, ASTM), and other academic institutions. The candidate will also contribute to departmental, college, and university service activities and engage with external stakeholders on sustainability-related industrial systems and energy challenges.

Appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor:

• Ph.D. in industrial ecology, sustainability science, energy systems, environmental engineering/science, sustainable biomaterials, systems engineering, or a closely related field by appointment start date.
• Expertise in one or more of the following: life-cycle assessment, energy-material flow modeling, carbon accounting, industrial decarbonization, circular economy, renewable/bioenergy systems, or sustainability analytics.
• Evidence of excellence or strong potential in university teaching and student mentoring.
• Evidence of strong potential for externally funded research and high-quality peer-reviewed scholarship.

Appointment at the rank of Associate Professor:

• Evidence of a sustained externally funded research program and scholarly record commensurate with rank.
• Evidence of an established and productive scholarly research program with a strong publication record.
• Demonstrated leadership and recognized contributions through professional service, outreach, engagement, or other academic service activities.

• Experience integrating research with capstone, experiential, or project-based learning.
• Ability to collaborate across natural resources, engineering, infrastructure, manufacturing, packaging, and industry.
• Experience with LCA software, energy auditing, sustainability performance analytics, or related computational tools.

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Regular

Commensurate with experience and level

40

October 15, 2026

Inquiries should be directed to Dr. Jennifer Russell, Chair, Search Committee: Department of Sustainable Biomaterials, College of Natural Resources and Environment. Phone: 540-231-9516 or email: jdrussell@vt.edu.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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