The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Assistant Professor (Quantitative Microbe-Plant-Environment Interactions), Depar
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States, 37955
Overview
Assistant Professor (Quantitative Microbe-Plant-Environment Interactions), Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Nine-month, tenure-track faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level applying quantitative approaches to study microbial effects on plant ecosystems. Location:
UTK Open Date:
Sep 15, 2025 Responsibilities
Establish an innovative, externally funded research program in quantitative approaches to microbial effects on plant ecosystems. Contribute to the departmental teaching and training mission at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Applicants should utilize mathematical and/or computational approaches with or without wet-bench or field work. Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to: Modeling multi-omic data to quantify microbial metabolism, assembly, and their influence on native plant and/or agricultural systems Quantifying and predicting the sensitivity of microbiomes of phototrophs to environmental change Developing quantitative tools for analysis of plant microbiome systems data, including machine learning, metabolic modeling (e.g., flux-balance models), and network analyses Mathematical or statistical modeling of temporal and spatial variability to predict microbial effects in native plant and agricultural systems Development of ecological theory to understand drivers of microbial community shifts associated with plant host phenotype or environmental perturbations About the cluster and PERCE-CoS
This position is part of a faculty cluster hire in Bioinformatics, Genomics and Quantitative-based Solutions for Food Security. The successful candidate will join the UT Community of Scholars organized around the theme of Plant Resilience in a Changing Environment (PERCE-CoS). The PERCE-CoS is a team of faculty from across campus with broad research interests including bioinformatics, data science, machine learning, microbiology, plant sciences, agricultural informatics, and quantitative environmental change biology. It offers a framework for professional development and transdisciplinary mentorship to grow scholarly and educational impact. The University is launching a next-level initiative to elevate its national reputation for impactful research and to assemble a roster of faculty committed to delivering an outstanding educational experience for undergraduates and graduates. Qualifications
Minimum:
PhD in a related field and at least two years of postdoctoral experience at the onset of the position. A track record of research with significant scientific contributions evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and other scholarly outputs. Application Instructions
The successful candidate is anticipated to start August 1, 2026. Evidence of prior formal or informal teaching and outreach is advantageous. UTK is a land-grant university and values engaged research, teaching, and service; evidence of these commitments will be considered in the application records. Materials to submit (i) cover letter; (ii) CV; (iii) contact information for at least 3 references; (iv) research statement (3 pages, excluding references); (v) teaching philosophy (1 page); (vi) two papers with a brief justification statement (1 paragraph per paper) for why these publications were chosen. Submit to Interfolio: interfolio.com/173345. Review of applications will begin October 31, 2025. References will be contacted only for shortlisted candidates. For questions, please email quantmicro@utk.edu. 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, parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The University of Tennessee affirms non-discrimination in education and employment in accordance with Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA. Requests for disability accommodation should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of discrimination should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution at 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.
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Assistant Professor (Quantitative Microbe-Plant-Environment Interactions), Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Nine-month, tenure-track faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level applying quantitative approaches to study microbial effects on plant ecosystems. Location:
UTK Open Date:
Sep 15, 2025 Responsibilities
Establish an innovative, externally funded research program in quantitative approaches to microbial effects on plant ecosystems. Contribute to the departmental teaching and training mission at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Applicants should utilize mathematical and/or computational approaches with or without wet-bench or field work. Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to: Modeling multi-omic data to quantify microbial metabolism, assembly, and their influence on native plant and/or agricultural systems Quantifying and predicting the sensitivity of microbiomes of phototrophs to environmental change Developing quantitative tools for analysis of plant microbiome systems data, including machine learning, metabolic modeling (e.g., flux-balance models), and network analyses Mathematical or statistical modeling of temporal and spatial variability to predict microbial effects in native plant and agricultural systems Development of ecological theory to understand drivers of microbial community shifts associated with plant host phenotype or environmental perturbations About the cluster and PERCE-CoS
This position is part of a faculty cluster hire in Bioinformatics, Genomics and Quantitative-based Solutions for Food Security. The successful candidate will join the UT Community of Scholars organized around the theme of Plant Resilience in a Changing Environment (PERCE-CoS). The PERCE-CoS is a team of faculty from across campus with broad research interests including bioinformatics, data science, machine learning, microbiology, plant sciences, agricultural informatics, and quantitative environmental change biology. It offers a framework for professional development and transdisciplinary mentorship to grow scholarly and educational impact. The University is launching a next-level initiative to elevate its national reputation for impactful research and to assemble a roster of faculty committed to delivering an outstanding educational experience for undergraduates and graduates. Qualifications
Minimum:
PhD in a related field and at least two years of postdoctoral experience at the onset of the position. A track record of research with significant scientific contributions evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and other scholarly outputs. Application Instructions
The successful candidate is anticipated to start August 1, 2026. Evidence of prior formal or informal teaching and outreach is advantageous. UTK is a land-grant university and values engaged research, teaching, and service; evidence of these commitments will be considered in the application records. Materials to submit (i) cover letter; (ii) CV; (iii) contact information for at least 3 references; (iv) research statement (3 pages, excluding references); (v) teaching philosophy (1 page); (vi) two papers with a brief justification statement (1 paragraph per paper) for why these publications were chosen. Submit to Interfolio: interfolio.com/173345. Review of applications will begin October 31, 2025. References will be contacted only for shortlisted candidates. For questions, please email quantmicro@utk.edu. 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, parental status, or any other characteristic protected by law. The University of Tennessee affirms non-discrimination in education and employment in accordance with Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, and the ADA. Requests for disability accommodation should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of discrimination should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution at 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.
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