"Assistant Professor of Practice in Industrial and Systems Engineering, Spring 2026"

Job Details

Assistant Professor of Practice in Industrial and Systems Engineering, Spring 2026

Location: Knoxville, TN

Open Date: Sep 8, 2025

Description:

Position Description

The Department of Industrial and Systems (ISE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is seeking applications for a full-time assistant professor of practice to begin January 1, 2026. We welcome applications from highly qualified individuals with a passion for engineering education, teaching, and student engagement and mentoring. Salary and benefits are nationally competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. The position is a non-tenure track, renewable, 9-month appointment, with opportunities to teach additional courses or get involved in other activities in summer. The successful candidate is expected to build an exceptional record of accomplishment in teaching and student engagement, leading to career-track promotions to Associate Professor of Practice or Professor of Practice.

The successful candidate will join other members of the faculty in offering and supporting current degree programs, including an MS degree program in Engineering Management. The ISE Department offers baccalaureate, master's, and Doctoral (PhD and DEng) degrees and currently has 270 BS, 162 MS, and 134 Doctoral (66 PhD and 68 DEng) students. The Department has 16 tenure-line faculty members, including four vacant positions, and four non-tenured full-time teaching faculty. The successful candidate will join a community of innovators in engineering education both in the Department and in the Tickle College of Engineering and will be supported through a strong commitment to faculty development.

The Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee has established a number of policies to promote work-life balance and support the professional development and overall well-being of faculty. Knoxville boasts a vibrant economy, mild climate, diverse cultural opportunities, a lively downtown area, proximity to many natural and outdoor activities, and affordable cost of living.

Responsibilities

• Teaching seven courses per year (three to four courses per semester), which may include:
• Undergraduate courses in industrial engineering
• Professional writing and oral communications
• Master-level or Doctoral courses in industrial engineering, including engineering management
• Full engagement with the students, faculty, and programs of the department through participation in faculty meetings and committees, program development and assessments, student extracurricular activities, etc.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering or closely related field.
• Intensive industry experience, especially related to manufacturing, engineering management, project management, quality, human factors, ergonomics, data science, or safety.
• Ability to develop a diverse teaching portfolio of lecture, laboratory and design courses to support ISE undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Exceptional communication skills and strong motivation to work collaboratively.
• Eligibility to work in the US.

Preferable Qualifications

• Teaching experience
• Doctoral degree in Industrial Engineering or closely related field

Application Instructions:

Applicants should submit: 1) an application letter addressing qualifications, motivation, and teaching interests, 2) a curriculum vitae, and 3) the names and contact information (names, email, and telephone number) for three references. Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Gary Null, Chair of the Search Committee at gnull@utk.edu. Interested individuals can apply through Interfolio. Applications will be reviewed beginning October 1st and will continue until the position is filled.

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.