The Science Informed Artificial Intelligence (ScAI) cluster at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville seeks exceptional candidates to fill one tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor, primarily in the Chemistry Department, starting August 1, 2025. There will also be a unique opportunity for a joint appointment at the Mathematics or Physics departments. Review of applications will begin on Monday 9/16/2024, and continue until the position is filled.

The ScAI cluster is part of the “It takes a Volunteer” cluster hiring initiative at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. https://provost.utk.edu/it-takes-a-volunteer-2023-2025-cluster-hiring-initiative/ The ScAI will be a cluster team of excellence in the science, mathematics, and optimization of AI for advancing scientific and engineering applications and offer a direct impact on additive manufacturing and hypersonics defense systems. As part of this institutional priority initiative, new hires will join a dynamic core group of scientific collaborators with complementary experience and a shared interest in building a national reputation for excellence and innovation in ScAI. In addition, clusters are expected to work together to grow the University’s reputation in ScAI through shared grant proposals, publications, and innovative new curricular programming.

The new hire will also support and contribute to the AI TENNessee (Transdisciplinary AI Education and iNNovation) Initiative. The AI TENNessee Initiative is a new research and education initiative focused on the State of Tennessee’s unique AI strengths and opportunities. Led by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, this initiative is engaging with academic, industry, and community partners across Tennessee to leverage the benefits of AI across all disciplines and economic sectors in areas such as AI for science, smart manufacturing, climate-smart agriculture and forestry, precision health and environment, and future mobility. Our goal is to improve lives through AI research and education. The mission of the AI TENNessee initiative is to: 1) advance cutting-edge fundamental and transdisciplinary AI research and creative activity across all disciplines to address important challenges; 2) expand the number of Tennessee students developing skills and core competencies in AI across many disciplines to prepare them for AI-enabled jobs of today and the future; and 3) partner with industry and institutions statewide to  position Tennessee as a national and global leader in the data-intensive knowledge economy. 

Qualifications

The Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who have the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University.  A PhD or equivalent degree in chemistry or closely related fields is required; at least one year of postdoctoral research experience is preferred. Individuals with expertise in any area of Chemistry informed Machine Learning, Chemoinformatics, Chemical Data Sciences, Self-driving Chemical Laboratories and/or Theoretical and Computational Chemistry are strongly encouraged to apply. Successful candidates are expected to develop a nationally recognized, externally funded research program while also contributing to the department’s and ScAI cluster’s missions of service and teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate level. The Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who have the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University.

Required Application Materials:

Applicants who wish to be considered at the Assistant Professor rank may submit the following material:

• Cover letter addressing why this position is of interest. Curriculum vitae Statement of research plans (maximum 10 pages), which should also include collaboration and alignment with the University of Tennessee’s ScAI cluster. In addition, candidates may describe how they would help promote students’ access to and inclusion in their teaching and research. Brief statement of teaching philosophy (1-2 pages). Three reference letters.

Candidates must apply in the Interfolio system by following this link: http://apply.interfolio.com/148822.  They should also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to this site.

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is the flagship university in the Tennessee state higher education system. Faculty in the Department of Chemistry have the opportunity to work alongside and collaborate with researchers across our diverse campus, as well as at the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Y-12 National Security Complex. The state of Tennessee is in solid fiscal condition, and the University has provided salary increases since 2010 (except for 2020 during the pandemic). Knoxville is a vibrant and diverse medium-sized city located within easy driving distance to Ashville, Nashville, Atlanta, and the Great Smoky Mountains. It has a beautiful and walkable downtown, varied nightlife, eclectic shopping and restaurants, and relatively low cost of living. UTK is a land-grant university and values engaged forms of research/scholarship/creative activity, teaching and service, and considers evidence of these commitments in the records of applicants.

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 accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to oed@utk.edu, or by phone at 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 and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.

For any questions, please contact Dr. Konstantinos Vogiatzis at kvogiatz@utk.edu.