Description
The Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates for two nine-month, tenure-track faculty appointments at the Assistant Professor level in the areas of (i) Microbial Drivers of Chronic Disease and (ii) Quantitative Microbe-Plant-Environment Interactions:
Microbial Drivers of Chronic Disease
Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to microbial drivers of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders. Research programs can be focused on either the microbial or host-response in the context of inflammatory disease.
Interested applicants should submit a (i) a cover letter; (ii) CV; (iii) contact information for at least three references; (iv) research statement describing accomplishments and future plans (3 pages, excluding references); (v) teaching philosophy (1 page); and (vi) two papers that best represents the applicant’s contribution to science/society along with a brief statement (1 paragraph/paper) of why these publications were chosen. References will only be contacted for shortlisted candidates. Review of applications will begin on October 31, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. For questions, contact [email protected]. Full position details and application portal are available here: apply.interfolio.com/173153.
Quantitative Microbe-Plant-Environment Interactions
We seek applicants who are applying quantitative approaches to study microbial (prokaryotic, eukaryotic, or viral) effects on plant ecosystems. Candidates utilizing mathematical and/or computational approaches with or without wet-bench or field work are encouraged to apply.
This position is part of a faculty cluster hire in Bioinformatics, Genomics and Quantitative-based Solutions for Food Security. Recruitment into the cluster creates opportunities to build bold agendas that advance big ideas.
Interested applicants should submit a (i) cover letter; (ii) CV; (iii) contact information for at least 3 references; (iv) research statement describing accomplishments and future plans (3 pages, excluding references); (v) teaching philosophy (1 page) and (vi) two papers that best represents the applicant’s contribution to science/society along with a brief statement (1 paragraph per paper) of why these publications were chosen. Review of applications will begin October 31, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. References will only be contacted for shortlisted candidates. For questions, please contact [email protected]. Full position details and application portal are available here: apply.interfolio.com/173345.
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The successful candidates are anticipated to start these positions August 1, 2026, and will have established a record of research that includes significant scientific advancements to their field, as evidenced through peer-reviewed publications and other contributions. Faculty in this position are expected to establish an innovative, externally funded research program and contribute to the departmental teaching and training mission at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
The faculty in the Department of Microbiology at UTK (http://micro.utk.edu/) have broad interests in microbial pathogenesis and microbial ecology. Candidates with experimental approaches that complement or strengthen any of these areas will be given full consideration. The Department of Microbiology is an active participant and leader in the UT Community of Scholars on Immunology and Inflammation (CoSI2), Microbial Consortia (CoSMiC), Biomembranes, and Plant Resilience in a Changing Environment (PERCE-CoS), each of which brings together engineering, chemistry, veterinary, and computer and material sciences, UT Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), and the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC) in Knoxville. Faculty have access to multiple core facilities on campus including animal facility, genomics core, imaging core, mass-spectrometry core, flow cytometers and cell sorters (https://research.utk.edu/oried/core-facilities/). UTK is the flagship university of the University of Tennessee System and is designated as a Carnegie ‘Very High Research Activity’ University. A competitive salary and generous start-up package, as well as laboratory space in a state-of-the-art building are available.
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.
Requirements
The minimum requirement is a PhD in a related field and at least two years of postdoctoral experience, including academic, research, government, and industry settings. The successful candidate is expected to establish an innovative, externally funded research program and to contribute to the departmental teaching mission at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
