The Center for Renewable Carbon (CRC) and the School of Natural Resources at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville invite applications for a 9-month tenure-track faculty position (95% Research-5% Teaching) as an Assistant Professor in industry decarbonization through carbon valorization. The individual must be committed to the Land Grant University mission, and their expertise should complement the Center's existing research programs. Current faculty in the Center have expertise in various fields, including Biosystems Engineering, Civil Engineering, Material Science, Analytical Chemistry, Polymer Science, and Wood Science. The Center's program relies on a broad and multi-faceted view of research. It recognizes its potential to provide a foundation for cross-disciplinary research crucial to solving complex fundamental problems.

 Duties/Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be expected to develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program with inter-disciplinary connections across CRC faculty, the broader University of Tennessee (especially the College of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory's research community through innovative research and valorizing one or two carbon molecules of industrial relevance (e.g., CO, CO2, CH4, C2H4,...) into valuable, sustainable chemicals and products. Candidates from a variety of academic disciplines, including chemistry; material science; chemical, biomolecular or biosystems engineering; polymer science; or related fields are encouraged to apply. Specifically, the successful candidate will be responsible for exploring and developing new approaches to convert carbon from various industry streams into useful products. Areas of interest include developing innovative approaches for catalytic valorization of CO2 to new biobased polymers and fuels or fuel precursors with lower carbon intensity than incumbent approaches.

The successful candidate will interface with UT programs in innovations to support the circular bioeconomy. Additionally, the opportunity exists to expand activity in renewable carbon materials development through the recently established Institute of Advanced Materials and Manufacturing (IAMM). Similar potential to build partnerships and collaborations exist through the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI), UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII) with its emphasis on advanced materials and manufacturing, the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, the Office of Research, Innovation, and Economic Development (ORIED), Global Energy Ecosystems (GE2), and engagement with current and future industrial partners.

Minimum/Required Qualifications: Candidates with a Ph.D. (completed before the position start date) from a variety of academic disciplines, including chemistry; material science; chemical, biomolecular or biosystems engineering; polymer science; or related fields are encouraged to apply.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications: Applications are encouraged from scholars working in the areas of carbon conversion and valorization; a strong publication record; success in grant writing; and a record of collaboration and cooperative research with state and federal natural resource agencies, non-government organizations, and industry.

Application Instructions: Review of applications will begin August 1 and continue until position is filled.  Salary and position level (Assistant Professor) will be commensurate with experience.

To Apply: Upload 1) a cover letter; 2) a two-page statement of research plans and goals; 3) copies of transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work; 4) a curriculum vitae detailing educational background, work experience, publications, and grants secured, and 5) names and full contact information of three professional references.  Questions regarding the position can be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Professor Nour Abdoulmoumine (nabdoulm@utk.edu).

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. 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 Equity and Diversity, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, telephone 865-974-2498. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.

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