Postdoctoral Fellow

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our strategic plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

About Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:

1. Students are our top priority.

2. We strive for excellence.

3. We thrive on diversity.

4. We celebrate collaboration.

5. We champion innovation.

6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.

7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.

8. We act ethically.

9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Atlanta, GA

About the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology

The School of Materials Science & Engineering (MSE) has 42 academic faculty, 30 research faculty and post-docs, approximately 100 visiting scholars and Tech Temps, and 27 administrative and technical staff. The School is housed in five buildings and continues to diversify and expand the academic and research programs. To learn more about MSE, visit: www.mse.gatech.edu

The Shofner Research Group in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Meredith Research Group in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to participate in a newly funded, multi-institutional research center focused on the development of advanced materials from renewable sources (Biobased Rural Innovation for Domestic Growth and Economic Security - BRIDGES). The project associated with this opening involves the design, processing, characterization, and testing of innovative food packaging materials that improve sustainability, functionality, and product protection.

The successful candidate will be located at Georgia Tech and will work within a highly collaborative research environment involving multiple universities, farmers and materials producers, industry partners, and communities. This position is ideal for a researcher who takes initiative, leads research efforts, solves complex problems, and works effectively with diverse stakeholders to achieve ambitious project goals on accelerated timelines.

Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values. These values include academic excellence, freedom of expression and inquiry, innovation, collaboration, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

Conduct research on the design, processing, characterization, and testing of advanced, renewable food packaging materials.

Develop and execute experimental plans and analyze processing-structure-property relationships.

Collaborate with faculty, students, postdoctoral researchers, and partners across multiple institutions.

Lead research activities associated with project milestones and deliverables.

Prepare technical reports, research publications, presentations, and other project deliverables.

Mentor undergraduate students and participate in center-wide activities.

Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures.

Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Polymer Science, Packaging Science, Chemistry, or a related field.

Demonstrated research achievement through publications and presentations.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to multidisciplinary teams.

Experience in one or more of the following areas: polymeric materials, composites, coatings, barrier materials, sustainable packaging materials, materials processing and characterization, mechanical or thermal testing, barrier testing, experimental design, or data analysis.

Demonstrated leadership, organization, project management, and scientific writing skills.

Self-motivation, intellectual independence, initiative, and the ability to think quickly and adapt as project needs evolve.

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and communicate effectively with academic, industrial, and community partners.

Curriculum vitae, including a list of publications.

Cover letter describing relevant experience and research interests.

One representative scientific or technical writing sample, such as a journal article, dissertation chapter, conference paper, technical report, white paper, or proposal section. For multi-author works, applicants should briefly describe their contribution.

Contact information for three professional references.

Meisha Shofner, meisha.shofner@mse.gatech.edu

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The Institute is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and Institute policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services. Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia ("USG") and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual's race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

A successful candidate must be able to pass a background check. Please visit: https://usg.policystat.com/policy/19298143/latest