Location: Knoxville, TN
Open Date: Sep 21, 2026
Description:
The Cook Grand Challenge Honors Program in the Tickle College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, seeks a dynamic and innovative educator for the position of Teaching Assistant/Associate/Full Professor (commensurate with level of appropriate relevant experience) to serve as Assistant Director of the program.
The responsibilities of this position will include a combination of teaching and administration duties. The Assistant Director will 1) co-teach our first-year engineering physics honors courses which incorporate team projects and laboratory exercises, 2) lead the program's effort in development and implementation of technology driven curricular elements (e.g., AI and XR), and 3) assist in the administration of our honors programs which includes Honors Concentrations and the National Academy of Engineering Grand Challenge Scholars (GCS) program. Effort allocation will be 80% to teaching and curriculum development and 20% to program administration.
More information about the CGCHP is available at https://honors.tickle.utk/.edu.
The Tickle College of Engineering is in the first year of a five-year undergraduate education plan with the goal of achieving comprehensive outcomes aligned with student success and competitiveness. The Assistant Director will lead this effort for the honors program by expanding an XR pilot program to help students learn physics concepts and integrate it into the honor physics sequence and potentially incorporate additional technology driven instruction as recommended by the educational plan. They will also assist with the recruitment of incoming students and the review of applicants.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UT), is the state's flagship institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, UT is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society. In all its activities, the university aims to advance the frontiers of human knowledge and enrich and elevate society. The Tickle College of Engineering has experienced rapid growth in its number of faculty and student enrollment.
Qualifications:
The position is a full-time, non-tenure-track, 9-month appointment. Candidates are required to have earned a terminal degree in engineering, engineering education, or a closely related field. Candidates should possess excellent communication skills, a solid commitment to innovative teaching methods (both traditional and technology-enabled), and the ability to promote an inclusive learning environment. Demonstrated interest in first-year engineering programs is expected.
Faculty Rank Criteria
Appointment rank will be determined based on the following criteria:
- Teaching Assistant Professor – shows promise for excellence in teaching and related responsibilities
- Teaching Associate Professor – minimum five years of experience teaching engineering and/or STEM topics at the post-secondary level and demonstrated record of excellence in teaching and related responsibilities
- Teaching Professor (Full) – minimum eight years of experience teaching engineering and/or STEM topics at the post-secondary level and demonstrated record of excellence in teaching and related responsibilities; sustained, consistent record of excellence and evidence of instructional leadership (e.g., curriculum development, mentoring, pedagogical innovation) commensurate with senior rank.
Application Instructions:
Applications must include the following four documents. Please upload documents as PDFs to ensure readability:
- One-page cover letter addressing qualifications and motivation,
- Teaching statement, including the candidate's background and experience that make them an ideal candidate. This should include, but is not limited to, examples of how the candidate has, or would employ active learning and technology-enhanced learning strategies (especially the use of virtual and/or augmented reality).
- Comprehensive curriculum vitae, and
- Names and contact information (address, phone number, and e-mail address) for at least three professional references.
Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Nathan Hicks, Chair of the Search Committee, (email: nhicks7@utk.edu). Positions to be filled for a desired January 2027 start. Review of applications will begin October 1, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications without all four required documents uploaded will not be reviewed.
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 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 eoa@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.
Working at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Founded in 1794, the University of Tennessee is one of the nation's oldest and most storied public universities. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee's flagship land-grant institution includes the statewide Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute in Tullahoma. The university embodies excellence in teaching, discovery, scholarship, research, creative activity, outreach, and engagement. Known as the Volunteers, we lead with a spirit of selflessness, empathy, and courage, and strive to be champions for diversity, equity, and inclusion
UT Knoxville is a Research 1 university with 11 academic colleges and more than 900 programs of study. With an enrollment of more than 30,000 students, our academic programs are repeatedly ranked top in their class. The university co-manages Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the country's most prominent national lab, driving innovation in advanced manufacturing and materials, national security, and more. We are closely connected with our communities through outreach and extension efforts across Tennessee and through partnerships with non-profits, corporations, and industries—regionally, nationally, and around the globe.
The city of Knoxville is nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. The modern, thriving community is surrounded by gorgeous lakes and hundreds of miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails. Situated along the banks of the Tennessee River, our beautiful features an eclectic music scene, internationally recognized festivals, unique restaurants, and a robust offering of diverse cultural activities. Knoxville is located within a day's drive of Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, Charlotte, Louisville, Cincinnati, Memphis, Chicago, and Washington D.C.
Knoxville and the surrounding counties have a population of more than 850,000 people. The region houses many leading corporations and organizations, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pilot/Flying J, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and Regal Cinemas, along with HGTV, Food Network, and other networks owned by Discovery Inc.
As a member of the UT family, you will be surrounded by top-notch faculty, staff, and students from around the world. You will be part of a diverse campus community that is passionate about changing the world and cheering for the Vols on game day.