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How to join the MII faculty

Macromolecules Innovation Institute (MII) is an interdisciplinary group committed to continuing the growth and advancing the stature of the existing, highly-ranked macromolecular science and engineering program at Virginia Tech. Faculty members who have demonstrated research interest in the polymer field will be given priority.

Faculty Testimonials

“I joined Virginia Tech in 1972 when James Wightman, Thomas Ward, and Art Fricke were the only ones working with polymers. While on sabbatical in 1976, James McGrath was hired and he immediately recruited Garth Wilkes. Returning from sabbatical, I joined in the founding footsteps of the Polymer Materials and Interfaces Lab (PMIL), which would later become MII, trying to contribute the perspective of natural plant materials and learning about polymers and materials science. That changed my life! I moved from small molecule chemistry to polymers and materials, thanks to PMIL. McGrath, Wilkes, Ward, Wightman (and initially Fricke) were members of many of my early students' graduate committees with great impact. I am forever grateful to that group for their mentorship and support!” - Wolfgang Glasser, professor emeritus, Department of Sustainable Biomaterials

"Virginia Tech has one of the longest and most august histories in polymer chemistry. Many big names in polymer chemistry have come through here, not just the professors but the people who’ve trained here too." - Michael Schulz, assistant professor, Department of Chemistry

Provide a 1-2 page statement of interest and your CV to the Director, Associate Director, and MACR Program Director. The statement should highlight your polymer research and expected contributions to MII. 

The directors will vote on the application and be in contact.

  • Be part of an interactive community of faculty and students that share common interests in polymer science
  • Access to potential partnerships with industry connections
  • Gain access to internal funding opportunities for research and training
  • Form new innovative collaborations with faculty across campus
  • Participate in unique short courses, seminars, and other interdisciplinary cohorts
  • Learn from elder faculty at Virginia Tech on administrative best practices
  • Access to the Materials Characterization Laboratory and RFPs for new equipment
  • Willingness to develop new research projects and/or expand existing research projects involving new interdisciplinary collaborations with other faculty
  • Evidence of efforts to recruit new graduate students to the MACR program, and/or to provide courses relevant to the MACR curriculum
  • Service on committees (advisory committee, admissions committee, etc.)
  • Participation and attendance at the MII Technical Conference and Review
  • Timely annual reporting in required formats