"Two Assistant Professor (tenure-track) faculty positions in Microbiology"

Job Details

The Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates for two nine-month, tenure-track faculty appointments at the Assistant Professor level.

Microbial Drivers of Inflammation and Chronic Disease

Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to microbial drivers of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders. Research programs can be focused on either the microbial or host-response in the context of inflammatory disease. Application materials should be submitted to Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/173153, where full advertisement details are found.

Quantitative Microbe-Plant-Environment Interactions

Competitive applicants will employ quantitative approaches to study microbial (prokaryotic, eukaryotic, or viral) effects on plant ecosystems. Candidates utilizing mathematical and/or computational approaches with or without wet-bench or field work are encouraged to apply. This position is part of a faculty cluster hire in Bioinformatics, Genomics and Quantitative-based Solutions for Food Security. Application materials should be submitted to Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/173345, where full advertisement details are found.

For both positions, the minimum requirement is a PhD in a related field and at least two years of postdoctoral experience, including academic, research, government, and industry settings. The successful candidates are expected to establish an innovative, externally funded research program and to contribute to the departmental teaching mission at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

The successful candidates are anticipated to start this position August 1, 2026. Interested applicants should submit a (i) a cover letter; (ii) CV; (iii) contact information for at least three references; (iv) research statement describing accomplishments and future plans (3 pages, excluding references); (v) teaching philosophy (1 page); and (vi) two papers that best represents the applicant’s contribution to science/society along with a brief statement (1 paragraph/paper) of why these publications were chosen. Review of applications will begin on November 21, 2025.

The Department of Microbiology values the quality of life of all its members and is committed to promoting an atmosphere where all members of the university community feel welcome and can thrive. Located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, The University of Tennessee Knoxville was founded in 1794 and is one of the oldest public universities in the nation. There are over 40,000 students enrolled at the Knoxville campus, who train and study in a city where excellence in academia meets the natural beauty of the southern Appalachian region and in the company of the artists, makers, and entrepreneurs that call Knoxville their home.

The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.