"Sociology of Circular Bioeconomy Systems - Research Assistant/Associate/Full Professor"

The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII) is seeking highly qualified research faculty candidates at any rank in the areas of rural, environmental, and/or community sociology. The successful candidate will contribute to an interdisciplinary collaboration focused on developing innovative and efficient technologies for biomaterials derived from regional biomass resources. Potential research interests include, but are not limited to:

• labor market shifts, with a focus on reskilling and emerging opportunities in the circular bioeconomy.
• the effects of circular bioeconomy transitions on job security and employment trends across sectors.
• strategies to involve local communities in decision-making for bioeconomy projects.
• methods to address public concerns and foster trust in bio-based technologies through transparent communication.
• participatory approaches to ensure equitable decision-making and stakeholder collaboration in circular bioeconomy systems.

This position will be associated with the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute’s Circular Bioeconomy Systems (CBS) Convergent Research Initiative (CRI), a collaboration between Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee. The CBS CRI mission is to develop innovative, market-driven strategies to maximize the value of carbon resources and create jobs in sustainable manufacturing and agriculture. By leveraging emerging science, the initiative aims to produce biomaterials from domestic carbon sources, advancing American competitiveness while reducing reliance on foreign resources. At full strength, the CBS CRI will recruit ~20 new investigators at ORNL, the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). The CBS CRI supports its interdisciplinary researchers by offering networking opportunities with fellow scientists and bioeconomy stakeholders, facilitating collaborative experiments and proposal development, providing mentorship from senior CRI researchers, and offering tailored professional development opportunities.

Roles and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program with interdisciplinary connections across the CRI network at UT and ORNL.
• Contribute social science expertise to collaborative studies on the transition to circular bioeconomy systems.
• Analyze the perceptions and attitudes of multiple stakeholders regarding the circular bioeconomy transition.
• Interface with UT-ORII programs to support the UT-ORII CBS CRI's mission and goals.
• Build partnerships and collaborations through the Office of Research Innovation and Economic Development (ORIED), Global Energy Ecosystems (GE2), the Sociology Department, and current and future partners.

As a UT-ORII research faculty member, the successful candidate will collaborate with designated UT departments and researchers as well as ORNL researchers to address current and future low-emission and high-efficiency requirements for CBS. This includes conducting research, preparing and submitting proposals, supporting existing research projects, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

Qualifications

• PhD in Sociology or related field.
• A track record of publishing and seeking funding.
• Collaborative research experience in areas supporting UT-ORII’s Circular Bioeconomy Systems mission, including some combination of environmental sociology, the bioeconomy, and rural sociology.
• Demonstrated research track record supporting the candidate’s potential to establish a nationally and internationally recognized research program aligned with UT-ORII’s mission and goals.
• A clear path to independence as a researcher is desired, though collaboration with more senior investigators is also encouraged.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• This position requires the ability to be granted a site-access badge for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Additional Information

• This is a 12-month, non-tenure track position.
• The appointment will be with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
• The primary work location for this position is on the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture campus in Knoxville and may include visits to collaborator sites on the campuses of ORNL and UTK.
• The position will be implemented as an initial three-year contract with full salary support for the first year, followed by a gradual increase in expected external salary funding in subsequent years.
• The applicant will be expected to recruit graduate students by year three.
• A competitive startup package including funds for graduate students and equipment will be offered.
• Salary and title/rank will be determined commensurate with experience.
• Benefits will be typical of exempt employees at the University of Tennessee.
• The candidate must be eligible for initial clearance at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Application: Application materials must be submitted to Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/160164

Application reviews will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

Applications must include:

1. a letter of interest
2. a comprehensive curriculum vitae
3. research plan
4. 3 Professional References including names, addresses, and telephone numbers

For questions, please contact Prof. Niki Labbé (nlabbe@utk.edu) or Prof. Jon Shefner (jshefner@utk.edu).