Job Details

Institution: University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK)
College: Tickle College of Engineering
Department: Mechanical, Aerospace, and Biomedical Engineering (MABE)
Type: Full-Time
Category: Mechanical Engineering; Biomedical Engineering
Posted: October 9, 2025
Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Application Deadline: Review begins November 7, 2025 (open until filled)

Position Overview

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) seeks Assistant or Associate Professors to join its Foundational Artificial Intelligence (AI) Cluster within the Tickle College of Engineering. This recruitment is part of the university’s “It Takes a Volunteer” Cluster Hiring Initiative, designed to strengthen UT’s global leadership in AI theory, machine learning, neurocognitive dynamics, and intelligent systems engineering.

The successful candidate will collaborate within a growing interdisciplinary team of over 40 faculty spanning fields such as computer science, biomedical engineering, cognitive science, and mathematics, contributing to high-impact teaching and research programs in foundational AI and neuroengineering.

Responsibilities

• Conduct and publish innovative scholarly research in AI and related domains.

• Secure external research funding to support active projects.

• Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in mechanical or biomedical engineering.

• Mentor graduate students and supervise research activities.

• Engage in departmental, college, and university service.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirement:

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field at the time of appointment.

Preferred Expertise:

• Interdisciplinary experience in neuroengineering, brain–computer interfaces (BCI), AI/ML for cognitive systems, representation learning, or uncertainty quantification related to human intelligence.

For Assistant Professor Rank:

• Evidence of potential to obtain research funding and collaborate across disciplines.

• Strong teaching and mentoring capabilities.

For Associate Professor Rank:

• Record of national/international research excellence and leadership potential.

• Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching and mentoring.

About the Foundational AI Cluster

This cluster brings together researchers focused on machine learning theory, representation learning, ML accelerators, and neurocognitive AI to create transformative educational and research initiatives. Faculty benefit from mentorship, professional development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

About the Tickle College of Engineering

The Tickle College of Engineering is one of the fastest-growing engineering colleges in the U.S., with:

• 203 tenure-track and 79 non-tenure-track faculty members

• $113.6M annual research expenditures (FY24)

• 29 early career research awards since 2016

• State-of-the-art facilities including the Zeanah Engineering Complex and Innovation South Building

• Nearly 6,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs

Application Instructions

Submit the following materials via Interfolio – Apply Here:

1. Cover Letter

2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. Teaching Statement

4. Research Statement

5. Up to 3 Representative Publications

6. List of Three References (names, emails, phone numbers)

For inquiries, contact Dr. Subhadeep Chakraborty, Search Chair, at schakrab@utk.edu.

Review of applications begins: November 7, 2025

Position remains open until filled

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Tennessee is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The institution prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, or veteran status, in compliance with Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and ADA regulations.