Assistant Professor – Sport Analytics, Fall 2026

Location: Knoxville, TN

Open Date: Aug 5, 2025

The Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is seeking a nine-month, tenure-track assistant professor with a focus in sport analytics and research interests in sport data science and use of artificial intelligence tools that spans areas related to performance analysis and health promotion to sport management and kinesiology.

This 9-month, fulltime (1.0 FTE), position begins August 1, 2026, although an earlier start date is negotiable. Starting salary is commensurate with experience. UTK has a competitive benefits package, and 9-month tenure-track/tenured faculty are eligible for summer salary. UTK is Tennessee’s flagship land grant university and is currently in the midst of unprecedented growth in enrollment, with more than 38,000 enrolled students. The University is also a Carnegie Foundation Research (R1) University with highest research activity and has achieved a Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. Forbes Magazine recently ranked UTK as one of the best places to work in the United States, including a ranking of ninth among public higher education institutions in the United States.

The Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies is home to more than 50 faculty and staff members. The department provides over 2,000 undergraduate students with an opportunity to major in either kinesiology, sport management, or recreational therapy. Approximately 180 graduate students (MS and PhD programs) can choose to specialize in exercise physiology, biomechanics, sport psychology/motor behavior, physical activity epidemiology, sport management, or socio-cultural studies. In addition to our majors, the department also serves approximately 5,500 students per year in the Physical Education & Activity Program. The Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who have the ability to promote an atmosphere where all members of the university community feel welcome and can thrive. The candidate who fills this position will be expected to contribute to teaching and research for both sport management and kinesiology program areas. It will be expected that this candidate will engage in high-impact scholarly research, seek external funding to support this research, and mentor departmental graduate students. This faculty member will also be expected to provide excellent teaching in graduate and undergraduate classes, and to engage in institutional and professional service.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications: The successful candidate for this position must have an earned doctorate in sport management, marketing, sport performance, kinesiology or closely related field. Candidates in the final stages of their doctoral studies, who anticipate degree completion before the commencement of employment, are eligible to apply. Required qualifications include a successful record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals, along with evidence of the ability to develop an innovative research program. The candidate should also have a willingness to engage in collaboration within and outside of the department.

Desired Qualifications: Postdoctoral work with demonstrated experience in submitting and/or securing external funding, and university teaching are preferred. Experience with big data analytic skills including Python and R programming is desirable.

Application Instructions:

Review of applications will begin on September 10, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. Individuals interested in applying for this position should submit electronically at apply.interfolio.com/171636. Submission materials should include a letter of application, curriculum vita, research statement, teaching statement, and list of three references who can address the applicant’s scholarly and teaching capabilities with complete addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses.

Questions can be directed to Search Committee Chair: Dr. Songning Zhang (865-974-4716 or szhang@utk.edu).

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.