NWPCA Research Fellow

Job Description

The Individual Will Be Responsible For:

• Conducting research related to the mechanical strength of wood, wood composites and connections used in wood transportation packaging (nails, screws, brackets, etc.)
• Knowledge of supply chain for wooden containers including transportation, logistics, storage conditions, and support conditions.
• Collecting and analyzing test data, analysis and presentation of results.
• Publishing results in reports, refereed journals and professional conferences as appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in sustainable biomaterials, packaging or related engineering or material science field. PhD must be awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining.
• Experience conducting standardized testing related to wood properties and connections, wood in transportation packaging research or similar engineering materials.
• Demonstrated record of publishing refereed journal articles and presenting at professional conferences.
• Knowledge of the current design methods for wood materials in the United States including the National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS).
• Experience with design of experiments and sampling size of materials
• Ability to work in a team or independently
• Good interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Have an EIT (Engineer-In-Training) Designation
• Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) methods and tools
• Experience programming with C++
• Experience using numerical methods, including linear algebra, for structural modeling

About Virginia Tech

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 the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Additional Information

Candidates will be expected to provide a resume/Curriculum Vita and cover letter detailing reasons for interest in this position. The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Pay

$55,000, commensurate with experience

Schedule

40 hours per week