Assistant Professor of Microbiology (Microbe-Animal Interactions), Fall 2025
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Assistant Professor of Microbiology (Microbe-Animal Interactions), Fall 2025

Location:
UTK
Open Date:
Aug 1, 2024
Description:
The Department of Microbiology at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville is seeking candidates for a tenure-track faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level using molecular, genetic, biochemical, ecophysiological, computational, mathematical modeling, and/or cell biology approaches to study microbes (prokaryotic, eukaryotic, or viral) associated with animals (including invertebrates), with a preference for non-human animals. This could be in the context of laboratory or field-based studies. Competitive applicants will meet minimum requirements of a PhD or equivalent in a related field and at least two years postdoctoral or similar professional experience at the onset of the position. The successful candidate will have established a record of research that includes significant scientific advancements related to microbiology in their field, as evidenced through peer-reviewed publications and other contributions. Faculty in this position are expected to establish an innovative, externally funded research program and contribute to the departmental teaching and training mission at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to the following:

• Microbe-animal interactions focused on microbes at the individual or community level.
• Classic or novel microbe-animal model systems, including but not limited to zebrafish, Drosophila, C. elegans, planaria, sponges or other existing or emerging model systems.
• Systems that investigate early metazoan-microbe symbiosis and evolution of multicellularity. 
• Microbial impacts on animal populations in the natural or man-made (i.e., built/urban) environments. UT is located near the Smoky Mountains, one of the most biodiverse locations in the US. 
• Microbe-mediated animal responses including disease resistance, pathogen suppression, enhanced survival, developmental biology, or behavior of the host.  
• Mechanistic studies of positive, negative or symbiotic microbe-animal interactions (e.g., mutualism, commensalism, predation, competition or parasitism) in the context of evolution, resilience or sustainability in natural, model or agricultural ecosystems.

The successful candidate is anticipated to start this nine-month, tenure-track position August 1, 2025. The competitive applicant will be qualified to teach core Microbiology courses and have a demonstrated interest in development and implementation of a modern curriculum. Evidence of prior formal or informal teaching and outreach will be an advantage.  A record of recognized research and scholarly activity with a clear promise that promotion to Associate Professor is likely at some point in the future is important. UTK is a land-grant university and values engaged forms of research/scholarship/creative activity, teaching and service, and considers evidence of these commitments in the records of applicants. Our faculty have broad interests in microbial ecology and microbial pathogenesis, with labs using bacterial, fungal, protozoan, and viral models, with work in environmental systems and mammalian, plant, and invertebrate hosts. Applicants with experimental approaches that complement, expand or strengthen any of these areas are encouraged. Our department has strong interdisciplinary ties to engineering, chemistry, veterinary, and material science labs, as well as the UT Institute of Agriculture (UTIA), Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL), and the University of Tennessee Veterinary Medicine Hospital (UTVMC) in Knoxville and contributes to the highly interdisciplinary UTK One Health Initiative. Thus, the researcher can study how microbes impact animals and the "health of all" (https://onehealth.tennessee.edu/). UTK is the flagship university of the University of Tennessee System and is designated as a Carnegie 'Very High Research Activity' University and a Carnegie Community Engaged University. A competitive salary and generous start-up package, as well as ample laboratory space, are available.The Department of Microbiology values the quality of life of all its members and is committed to supporting the intercultural goals of the University.  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 35,000 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 Knoxville campus of the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who have the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University.
Qualifications:
Minimal requirements include a PhD or equivalent in the discipline or a related discipline and at least two years of postdoctoral experience or similar professional experience at the onset of the position. 
Application Instructions:
Interested applicants should submit a (i) cover letter; (ii) CV; (iii) contact information for at least three references (iv) research statement describing research accomplishments and future plans (not to exceed 3 pages total, not including references); and (v) teaching philosophy and courses qualified to teach (not to exceed 1 page) at http://apply.interfolio.com/149771. As they address their qualifications for the position in their application, candidates may describe how they would help promote students' access to and inclusion in their teaching and research statement. Review of applications will begin October 25, 2024. References will only be contacted for candidates who are shortlisted for the position. 
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 accommodations of a disability should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3560 or eoa@utk.edu or (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 & Resolution 216 Business Incubator Building 2450 EJ. Chapman Drive Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 or (865)974-0717 or investigations@utk.edu.

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