The course, a Masters of Research (MRes), will be delivered by Leeds Metropolitan's Faraday Centre for Retail Excellence.
It will comprise a series of core modules including sustainability, supply chain management, marketing and packaging design management while other subjects will depend on the packaging research project chosen by the individual students.
Launching in September, the MRes will be led by Faraday’s Professor Cathy Barnes who will head a team of mentors with whom students will have three "contact periods" throughout the duration of the course, which is typically expected take two years to complete, although this will vary according to the research being undertaken.
IoPP managing director Kevin Vyse said that he expected to cater for around five to six new starters a year and that it would be suited to packaging professionals that wanted to progress up the career ladder.
"It is very difficult to find career progression beyond senior packaging technician and so on.
"The nice thing about the MRes is that it is very practically based and the employer can have the benefit of owning the research while the employee gets a masters degree. It’s a win win."
He added: "If you are looking for innovation in your company, to develop your business and find something unique then you need R&D and why wouldn't you invest in one of your own employees to do it rather than bringing it in from elsewhere?"
Vyse explained that the IoPP would help to mediate between businesses and employees in relation to funding for the course, which may either be shared or wholly employer-backed.
He said: "Every company has different needs so the way we have configured this is to make it adaptable to suit the different packaging sectors and the individuals' different backgrounds."
It is expected to cost in the region of £3,500 but Vyse said that the fees had not yet been finalised.
Faraday's Barnes said: "We are delighted to announce this partnership with IoPP. We have a lot of experience of offering masters level courses to support professional development in the workplace.
"We are looking forward to supporting the leaders of the future."
