Professor of Practice in Polymer Science and Engineering

The University of Southern Mississippi • Hattiesburg, MS

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The School of Polymer Science and Engineering (SPSE) at The University of Southern Mississippi invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, non-tenure-track Professor of Practice position beginning August 2027. We seek candidates with strong technical expertise and professional experience in polymer science and engineering who will contribute to the School’s teaching, experiential learning, student mentoring, and industry engagement activities. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in polymer science and engineering, with opportunities to teach graduate courses, particularly emphasizing laboratory, design, and other applied aspects of the curriculum. In this role, the successful candidate will draw on professional practice and applied experience to strengthen classroom and elevate experiential learning, while supporting student professional development and engagement with industry and other external partners. Opportunities also exist to engage in and support the broader research enterprise of the School, including participation in externally funded projects, applied research, workforce development, and industry-sponsored activities.

Requirements

• Earned Ph.D. in polymer science and engineering or a closely related discipline.
• Professional experience in industry, government, applied research, or a closely related setting relevant to polymer science and engineering.
• Ability to work effectively, collaboratively, and collegially with students, staff, faculty, and external partners.
• Ability to apply polymer science and engineering fundamentals to practical problems and applications.
• Knowledge of common polymer characterization, processing, testing, and laboratory methods.
• Ability to translate professional practice and applied technical experience into effective classroom, laboratory, and project-based instruction.
• Ability to contribute to curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for visa sponsorship. The University will not sponsor applicants for work visas (e.g., H-1B).

Nice To Haves

• Three or more years of professional experience in industry, government, applied research, manufacturing, or a related setting relevant to polymer science and engineering.
• Prior teaching, training, or student mentorship experience in higher education, industry, or another professional setting.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate professional or industry practice into teaching, experiential learning, and student mentorship.
• Experience with polymer processing, manufacturing, product development, scale-up, testing, or characterization.
• Experience advising design projects or multidisciplinary design-build-test activities.
• Familiarity with ABET accreditation and outcomes-based assessment.
• Experience contributing to externally funded, industry-sponsored, workforce development, or applied research activities.
• Demonstrated ability to develop productive relationships with industry or government partners.

Responsibilities

• Teach undergraduate and as appropriate, graduate courses in polymer science and engineering.
• Develop and deliver laboratory, prototyping, design-based, and other experiential learning activities.
• Advise and mentor students through capstone design, applied projects, and other project-based educational experiences.
• Mentor undergraduate students in academic, professional, and career development.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff on curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, workforce development, outreach, and industry engagement.
• Build and strengthen relationships with industry and government partners in support of education, experiential learning, workforce development, and collaborative activities.
• Contribute to grant writing, proposal development, and externally funded projects, particularly those involving applied research, workforce development, or industry partnerships.
• Contribute to the mission of the School, College, University, and broader professional community through service.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree