"BME Associate/Full Professor - Radioisotopes Cluster/Medical Imaging, Fall 2026"

The Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for a tenure-line faculty position at Associate/Full Professor level, starting in 2026. Tenure upon initial appointment may be considered for qualified applicants. This search is part of an approved cluster hire to complement UTK’s strength in medical imaging, therapeutics, and the development and use of radioisotopes. Candidates in related fields in biomedical engineering are encouraged to apply.

The Radioisotopes Cluster was approved and launched in 2022, and several hires have been completed since its inception. In continuation of these recent hires, the Radioisotopes Cluster is seeking to fill its senior-level faculty vacancy. The long-term plan for hires within this cluster include 1) development of new radiochemistry labs, 2) development of enhanced radioisotope curriculum and establishment of a summer school in collaboration with partners at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII), 3) expansion of partnerships with local hospitals, veterinary centers, and/or businesses with interests in isotope use and research, and 4) establishment of transformational campus-based research center(s). This search aligns well with the current initiatives at ORNL and UT-ORII, including the recently funded $20M Convergent Research Initiative (CRI) in Development and Advancement of Radiopharmaceutical Therapies (DART).

The Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) recently opened the Zeanah Engineering Complex, which is a new $129M building. This includes over 4,500 square feet of radiochemistry research laboratory space and a radiochemical teaching laboratory suite, where the lab of the successful candidate will be located in. TCE has continued to make investments in the radioisotopes research areas including a small animal PET/CT, a microCT, and a high-frequency preclinical ultrasound system for small animals. This new hire will help expand partnerships with other TCE departments, local hospitals, veterinary centers, and/or businesses with interests in isotope use.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) has made biomedical research and human health a core institutional priority, supported through strong partnerships with the University of Tennessee Medical Center (UTMC). This collaboration provides a rich environment for translational research, where engineering innovation connects directly with clinical expertise to advance diagnostics, therapeutics, medical devices, and healthcare technologies. Faculty in Biomedical Engineering will also benefit from access to UTK’s Clinical Core Facility Program and the Center for Population Health (CPH), which provide state-of-the-art resources and infrastructure to support interdisciplinary research and accelerate the translation of discoveries from the laboratory to patient care. These shared facilities and programs foster collaboration across engineering, medicine, and public health, offering faculty unique opportunities to expand their research impact. UTK is also a key partner in the Neuroscience Network of East Tennessee, NeuroNET, which fosters and supports cutting edge research and training in brain sciences in collaboration with the UT Medical Center and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) is in the midst of an unprecedented period of growth and success, including adding over 30 new faculty to the college as part of ambitious hiring campaigns led by Chancellor Donde Plowman and Dean Matthew Mench. The college has set records in research expenditures, enrollment, incoming student GPA, intellectual property development, and USNWR rank in the past three years. New facilities include the state-of-the art Zeanah Engineering Complex, the University of Tennessee Manufacturing and Design Enterprise (TN-MADE) facility, and the Innovation South building now under construction that will house UTK’s Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF).

TCE currently has 203 tenure/tenure track and 79 non-tenure track faculty in its nine academic departments and offers 11 undergraduate, 16 MS, and 15 PhD/DE degree programs. Affiliated with TCE and located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the UT Space Institute is a hub of aerospace and defense research. The college is also home to eight research centers and three interdisciplinary institutes. With approximately 4,300 undergraduate and 1,500 graduate students, the college sits 29th among public universities in the most recent U.S. News and World Report graduate rankings. Faculty in the college have won 29 early career awards (NSF, DOE, DARPA, AFOSR, and ARO) since 2016. In FY24, the college had annual research expenditures of $113.6M.

Knoxville, TN is a vibrant city with a beautiful and walkable downtown, active neighborhoods, an effervescent nightlife that includes numerous theaters and museums, a rich live music scene across all genres, and eclectic restaurants. Knoxville is nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, surrounded by lakes and the Tennessee River, providing amazing access to various outdoor activities. Knoxville is within easy driving distance of four major metropolitan areas that regularly host larger cultural and entertainment events.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering or a closely related field. Candidates should demonstrate excellence in research through a strong publication record and show potential for leadership in their area of study. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated research success, a clear vision for developing collaborative research programs, and a strong commitment to high-quality undergraduate and graduate education. All candidates are expected to possess excellent communication skills and the ability to engage in multidisciplinary, collaborative research. All candidates must also demonstrate eligibility to work in the United States.

For the Associate Professor position, primary consideration will be given to applicants who have established a nationally recognized research program, demonstrated success in teaching and mentoring students, and articulated a compelling vision for future research at UTK. Candidates should also have a record of publishing in high-impact journals, securing and managing externally funded research from federal and/or industrial sponsors, and engaging in meaningful service to their professional community.

For the Full Professor position, primary consideration will be given to applicants with an internationally recognized research program, a distinguished record of teaching and mentoring, and a clear, forward-looking vision for advancing research at UTK. Candidates should demonstrate a sustained record of high-impact publications, substantial externally funded research, leadership in major university research initiatives, and significant professional service. Preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated potential leadership in collaborative research, particularly in alignment with the Radioisotopes Cluster.

Applications should include: (1) a cover letter articulating the applicant’s interest in and qualifications for this position, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a research statement outlining previous work and future directions, (4) a teaching and mentoring statement, (5) up to three representative publications, and (6) the names of three to five references.

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.