Assistant Professor; Quantitative Microbe-Plant-Environment Interactions), Department of Microb

Overview

The Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville is seeking candidates for a nine-month, tenure-track faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level applying quantitative approaches to study microbial (prokaryotic, eukaryotic, or viral) effects on plant ecosystems. 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.

Candidates utilizing mathematical and/or computational approaches with or without wet-bench or field work are encouraged to apply. Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Modeling multi-omic data to quantify microbial metabolism, assembly, and their influence on native plant and/or agricultural systems
• Quantifying and predicting the sensitivity of the microbiomes of phototrophs to environmental change
• Developing quantitative tools for the analysis of plant microbiome systems data, including but not limited to, machine learning, metabolic modeling (e.g. flux-balance models), and network analyses
• Mathematical or statistical modeling of temporal and spatial variability to predict microbial effects in native plant and agricultural systems
• Development of ecological theory, for example to understand drivers of microbial community shifts associated with plant host phenotype or environmental perturbations

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. The successful candidate will join an established UT Community of Scholars organized along the theme of Plant Resilience in a Changing Environment (PERCE-CoS), a team of approximately 25 faculty from across campus with shared and complementary research interests in areas including bioinformatics, data science, machine learning, microbiology, entomology, plant sciences, agricultural informatics, quantitative environmental change biology, and a strong commitment to growing scholarly and educational impact.

The PERCE-CoS provides a framework for professional development and mentorship in a transdisciplinary environment.

The University is launching a next-level initiative aimed at elevating the University's national reputation for impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity while assembling a roster of faculty committed to delivering one of the nation's best educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.

• Responsibilities:
  Establish a funded research program; contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching and training; participate in service and mentoring within the department and the PERCE-CoS framework.
• Minimum qualifications:
  
  PhD in a related field and at least two years of postdoctoral experience at the onset of the position.
• Preferred qualifications:
  
  Demonstrated record of research with peer-reviewed publications and other scholarly contributions; evidence of formal or informal teaching and outreach is advantageous.

The successful candidate is anticipated to start on August 1, 2026. The application process requires the following materials:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three references
• Research statement describing accomplishments and future plans (3 pages, excluding references)
• Teaching philosophy (1 page)
• Two papers that best represent the applicant’s contribution to science/society, with a brief justification (1 paragraph per paper)

References will be contacted only for shortlisted candidates. For questions, please contact quantmicro.

Review of applications will begin October 31, 2025. 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, disability, genetic information, veteran status, parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. UTK is a land-grant university and values engaged forms of research, teaching, and service, and considers evidence of these commitments in the records of applicants.

Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN , by email to eoa, or by phone at . Inquiries and charges of discrimination should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN , by email to investigations, or by phone at .