"Tenure-Track Assistant Professor - Ultra-High Temperature Alloys - Materials Science and Engineering"

The UT Space Institute (UTSI) and the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) in the Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), invite applications for a tenure-track assistant professor in the area of ultra-high temperature alloys (UHTAs).

The UT Space Institute (https://www.utsi.edu) is a hub of aerospace and defense research, closely connected with NASA and DoD programs in the region. The MSE Department at UTK is a vibrant and rapidly growing academic unit with internationally recognized strengths in ceramics, metals and alloys, polymers, composites, and electronic materials.

Research Areas of Interest

We seek candidates with research expertise in ultra-high temperature alloys for high-Mach flight and space system applications. The successful candidate is expected to advance fundamental understanding of how alloy design, processing, and characterization control microstructure, chemistry, and performance of UHTAs under extreme environments, with potential applications in aerospace and defense. Areas of particular interest include:

• Alloy design and discovery of UHTAs (e.g., refractory alloys, creep- and oxidation-resistant systems).
• Processing science, including advanced manufacturing, powder metallurgy, and directional solidification of UHTAs.
• Thermomechanical and environmental degradation mechanisms (creep, fatigue, oxidation, corrosion).
• In-situ and operando methods for characterizing UHTAs at high temperatures and under extreme conditions.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish a vigorous, externally funded research program in ultra-high temperature alloys, collaborate with UTSI and MSE faculty and with partners at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Redstone Arsenal, the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC), and the aerospace and defense industry, and contribute to the broader materials and aerospace communities through high-quality scholarship and professional service.

Teaching Areas of Interest

The successful candidate will contribute to the educational mission of both UTSI and the MSE Department at UTK. Teaching areas may include, but are not limited to:

• Materials for Extreme Environments
• Mechanical Behavior of Materials
• Alloy Design and Processing
• Advanced Manufacturing of Metals and Alloys
• Materials Characterization Techniques

Candidates are expected to play an active role in curriculum development, including creating innovative graduate-level courses that directly reflect their research expertise and advance the department’s strategic focus on materials for extreme environments.

About the Tickle College of Engineering

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 U.S. News & World Report 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). Faculty in the college leverage the exceptional national laboratory ecosystem surrounding UT, including world class neutron scattering, materials synthesis/characterization, and high-performance computing user facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

TCE currently has 203 tenure/tenure-track and 79 non-tenure track faculty in its nine academic departments and offers 11 undergraduate, 16 M.S., and 15 Ph.D./DE degree programs. Affiliated with TCE and located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the UT Space Institute is a hub of aerospace and defense research.

Qualifications

• A Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering or a closely related field is required.
• Evidence of recent research and publications on ultra-high temperature alloys (UHTAs).
• Postdoctoral or equivalent research experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated potential for excellence in research and teaching at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Evidence of commitment to excellence in teaching, mentorship, and service.
• A record of high-impact publications and recognition in the materials community is desirable.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit the following materials:

• Cover letter addressing qualifications and research/teaching interests (1–2 pages).
• Curriculum vitae, including a complete publication list.
• Statement of research interests and future research plans (1–3 pages).
• Statement of teaching philosophy and interests (1–2 pages).
• Contact information for at least three professional references.

Applications must be submitted through the University of Tennessee’s online application system. To receive full consideration, applications should be received before December 15, 2025. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. For questions and inquiries about this position, please contact the Search Committee Chair, Prof. Katharine Page at kpage10@utk.edu.