Patricia “Pat” Layton Endowed Director of the Wood Utilization Design Institute

Clemson University invites applications for the position of Patricia “Pat” Layton Endowed Directorship of the Wood Utilization Design Institute (WU D).  The position is a 12-month faculty (or faculty equivalent) appointment with responsibilities in external relations and industry partnerships, facilitation of collaborative grantsmanship and research, public policy and government affairs, building collaborations within and outside of Clemson University, and WU D administration.  Although this position does not have a formal teaching assignment, there will be opportunities for guest lecturing, seminar organization, and speaking engagements to represent Clemson WU D.  

The successful candidate will lead a group of dedicated and innovative faculty, research scientists, students, and staff committed to professional and inclusive excellence.  Clemson University is a highly ranked public, land-grant university designated as an R1 research institution with strong community engagement.  The university is situated in the upper Piedmont of South Carolina, adjacent to the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The 17,500-acre Clemson Experimental Forest is contiguous with the campus and provides abundant opportunities for research, teaching and outreach.

Clemson University’s Wood Utilization Design Institute is a multidisciplinary engine of innovation. The institute facilitates interactions among foresters, architects, engineers, constructors and building industry stakeholders focused on advancements in wood-based manufacturing to compete with steel, concrete and other materials.  A director leads the WU D, but much of the work is done in collaboration with faculty fellows in Architecture, Engineering, Construction Science, and Forestry.

Approximately 67% (almost 13 million acres) of the land area in South Carolina is comprised of forest, and the state’s forest industry has an economic impact of $23.2 billion annually.  WU D forges new markets and grows South Carolina’s forest products industry by:

• Attracting new business and industry to South Carolina
• Providing education and training, research and development, and direct marketing of wood-based technical solutions
• Research and develop new wood-based products to promote a sustainable bio-economy
• Developing forest management protocols to grow trees with higher-quality fiber
• Engineering groundbreaking manufacturing and construction processes for wood-based products, resins, adhesives, and fasteners
• WU D also enhances the educational and career opportunities of Clemson students by:
• Preparing the next generation of architects, contractors, engineers, foresters, and material wood scientists
• Creating an experiential learning environment where students test products they have developed through installation in prototype buildings

The WU D has an excellent track record in grants, contracts, teaching and outreach and has been instrumental in promoting the growth of mass timber in the United States.  The new director will be tasked with continuing and expanding the vision of the Institute and its role in promoting forest products worldwide.