Purpose-grown Energy Crop Physiologist – Research Assistant/Associate/Full Professor, Spring 2025

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville seeks a Purpose-grown Energy Crop Physiologist for a non-tenure track faculty position starting Spring 2025. The role involves advancing research on sustainable biomass production, collaborating on experiments, and mentoring students. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in relevant fields and experience in plant biotechnology and physiology. The position requires site access at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and emphasizes collaboration within a research initiative.
Description

The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute
(UT-ORII) seeks highly qualified research faculty candidates to
advance the knowledge and application of Purpose Grown Energy Crops
Physiology, with an emphasis on perennial herbaceous and woody
crops.

To increase the circularity of the harvested resources, biomass
must be produced in a sustainable manner with minimal inputs (e.g.,
fertilizers, pesticides, water). To help reach these sustainability
goals, plant varieties grown need to be water and
nutrient-use-efficient and resistant to pests and environmental
challenges while achieving high biomass yields, optimal fiber and
chemistry attributes, net positive carbon sequestration, and
improved soil health. Through understanding crop physiology, along
with conventional and novel biotechnological approaches, we see the
successful candidate in this position to advance Circular
Bioeconomy Systems (CBS).

This position will be associated with UT-ORII’s CBS Convergent
Research Initiative (CRI), whose mission is to address current and
future challenges in the biological science of purpose
purpose-grown energy crop production. The CBS CRI will include ~20
member investigators from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), the
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), and the
University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). This faculty appointment
position will be with UT-ORII at the University of Tennessee,
Knoxville.

CBS research faculty will collaborate on laboratory experiments and
reporting, proposal preparation and submission, provide support for
existing research projects, and mentor students at the graduate and
undergraduate levels. Four anchor investigators of the project will
provide mentoring and necessary infrastructure to the hire.
Applicants will be considered at all faculty ranks.

Qualifications

Required:
• Ph.D. in Plant Biology, Physiology, Molecular Biology,
Biotechnology or other related discipline.
• Familiarity with plant biotechnology, physiology,
photosynthesis, metabolic engineering, breeding, and whole plant
phenotyping of dedicated energy crops such as giant miscanthus,
switchgrass, hybrid poplar, willows, or bioenergy oil seed
crops.
• Research experience in areas that support UT-ORII’s Circular
Bioeconomy Systems mission, including, but not limited to:
• Genetics and plant breeding
• Plant physiology
• Metabolic Engineering
• Plant-microbe interactions
• Agroecology
• An excellent track record in publications.
• A clear path to independence as a researcher is desired, though
an ‘on-ramp’ through collaboration with more senior investigators
is also encouraged.
• Strong writing and communication skills, along with a
demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative team and a highly
dynamic scientific environment.
• This position requires the ability to be granted a site-access
badge for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Preferred:
• Experience mentoring students and junior researchers.
• Experience in grant writing/funding.
• Experience in more than one discipline or interest in
collaboration across relevant disciplines.

Additional Information
• This is a 12-month, non-tenure track position.
• The appointment will be with the University of Tennessee,
Knoxville.
• This position's primary work location is on the UTIA campus in
Knoxville, but it may also include visits to collaborator sites on
the ORNL and UTK campuses.
• The position will be implemented as an initial three-year
contract with full salary support for the first year, followed by a
gradual decrease in salary coverage such that the successful
applicant will receive 50% salary support in year 5 (if renewed)
and is expected to receive extramural funding by year 3 or
earlier.
• The applicant will be expected to recruit multiple graduate
students by year three.
• A competitive startup package, including funds for graduate
students and equipment, will be offered.
• Salary and title/rank will be determined commensurate with
experience.
• Benefits will be typical of exempt employees at the University
of Tennessee.

Application Instructions

Application reviews will begin immediately and continue until the
position is filled. All required application materials must be
submitted to Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/163087

Required Application Materials:
• a letter of interest
• a comprehensive curriculum vitae
• a research plan
• a list of at least three professional references, including
their complete contact information

More About UT-ORII
The University of Tennessee-Oak
Ridge Innovation Institute was launched by the University of
Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2021 in response to
America’s need for a stronger pool of science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics talent and, increasingly, life science
talent.

UT-ORII is leveraging UT and ORNL’s best capabilities and resources
to accelerate collaborative discovery, innovation, and
interdisciplinary graduate education and to prepare the next
generation of talent in areas of critical importance to the nation
and the State of Tennessee. The institute’s current research areas
include Clean Manufacturing and Advanced Materials, Energy Storage
and Transportation, Radiopharmaceutical Therapies, and Circular
Bioeconomy Systems. To learn more about UT-ORII, visit utorii.com .

More About UTIA
The UT Institute of Agriculture is at
the core of the University of Tennessee’s land-grant mission of
teaching, research, and outreach. We fulfill that mission through
the impactful work of outstanding faculty, staff, and students.
Research has been and continues to be the engine that drives our
expanding bioeconomy, generating scientific innovations and
insights for the next generation of agriculture and natural
resource management professionals. To learn more about UTIA visit
https://utia.tennessee.edu
.

More About ORNL
Leveraging the talents of its
world-class researchers and exceptional support staff, Oak Ridge
National Laboratory is helping solve critical scientific and
technical challenges and, in so doing, creating economic
opportunity for the nation.

ORNL provides access to unique facilities, laboratories, and
equipment, drawing thousands of visiting researchers each year. To
learn more about ORNL visit https://www.ornl.gov .

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for
employment and admission without regard to race, color, national
origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual
orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability,
genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any
other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In
accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively
states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or
disability in its education programs and activities, and this
policy extends to employment by the university. Requests for
accommodations of a disability should be directed to the Office of
Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue Knoxville,
Tennessee 37996-3560 or eoa@utk.edu or (865)974-2498. Inquiries
and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color and national
origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA
(disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age),
sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the
Office of Investigation & Resolution 216 Business Incubator
Building 2450 EJ. Chapman Drive Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 or
(865)974-0717 or investigations@utk.edu .