Research Assistant/Associate/Full Professor

Knoxville Academic Units: UT-ORII Matrixed to the Department of Nuclear Engineering

This position is a component of the University of Tennessee – Oak Ridge Innovation Institute's (UT-ORII) Development and Advancement of Radiopharmaceutical Therapies (DART) Convergent Research Initiative (CRI). This position will reside at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) and have regular collaborations with and visits to Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The position's faculty appointment will be with UT-ORII and closely matrixed to the Department of Nuclear Engineering, both at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

This position will be part of the DART team, which will include ~20 members who will develop novel alpha-emitting radionuclides that are targeted to tumor cells. The position will contribute to the CRI's development and use of radioisotopes in all related fields, such as, but not limited to radiopharmaceutical development including preclinical translational research. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated research success in one or more of these areas with the vision to develop collaborative research activities and who are committed to high-quality undergraduate and graduate student education.

The new hire research faculty will collaborate on DART research projects, proposal preparation, submission, and student mentoring at the graduate level. Co-investigators of the project will provide mentoring and necessary infrastructure to the hire. Applicants will be considered at all faculty ranks.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage NE small animal PET/CT and related animals.
• Develop and lead research studies in radioisotopes.
• Develop a strong collaboration with the DART team and related investigators.
• Develop applications for extramural funding.
• Present findings to peer groups at conferences and to audiences of the CRI and UT-ORII meetings. 
• Mentor and train graduate students.

Required:

• Doctorate degree in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated experience in small animal PET/CT imaging and image processing and analysis.
• Ability to advise/train graduate students in the use of preclinical animal models for radiopharmaceutical development and small animal PET/CT image processing.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with researchers from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a collaborative research team.
• This position requires the ability to be granted a site-access badge for Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated success in more than one area of radioisotope research.
• A clear path to independence as a researcher is desired, though an 'on-ramp' through collaboration with more senior investigators is also encouraged.
• Demonstrated commitment to student education and mentorship.

Additional Information About Position

• This is a 12-month, non-tenure track position.
• The appointment will be with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
• The position will be implemented as an initial three-year contract with full salary support for the first year, followed by a gradual decrease in salary coverage such that the successful applicant will receive 50% salary support in year 5 (if renewed after the third year) and is expected to receive extramural funding by year 3 or earlier.
• The applicant will be expected to recruit multiple graduate students by year three.
• Continuation of the position will depend on the success of the hire and the team in attracting multi-year funding.
• A competitive startup package including support for PhD students and budget for equipment will be offered. 
• Salary and title/rank will be determined commensurate with experience.
• Benefits will be typical of exempt employees at the University of Tennessee.

Application Instructions

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. All application materials must be submitted to Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/148007 . 

Applications must include:

• Letter of interest
• Comprehensive curriculum vitae
• Research statement outlining previous and future directions
• Mentoring statement
• List of contact information for at least three professional references.

More About UT-ORII

The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute was launched by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2021, in response to America's need for a stronger pool of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and increasingly life science talent.

UT-ORII is leveraging UT and ORNL's best capabilities and resources to accelerate collaborative discovery, innovation and interdisciplinary graduate education; and to prepare the next generation of talent in areas of critical importance to the nation and the State of Tennessee. The institute's current research areas include Clean Manufacturing and Advanced Materials, Energy Storage and Transportation, Radiopharmaceutical Therapies, and Circular Bioeconomy Systems. To learn more about UT-ORII visit  utorii.com .

More About the Tickle College of Engineering & Department of Nuclear Engineering

The University of Tennessee Tickle College of Engineering has the fastest growing PhD program among the Top 40 public colleges of engineering and is ranked 32 nd amongst public institutions in 2022. The nuclear engineering department received a US News ranking of 7 in 2023. The TCE recently opened a new $129M building that houses 27 new nuclear engineering laboratories, which includes a radiochemical teaching and research laboratory suite that will be available to the successful candidate. UTK has close collaborations with ORNL and Y-12 and is located close to the beautiful Smoky Mountains. The TCE is committed to cultivating work/life balance and a family-friendly work environment for faculty, staff, and students.

More About ORNL

Leveraging the talents of its world-class researchers and exceptional support staff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory is helping solve critical scientific and technical challenges and, in so doing, creating economic opportunity for the nation.

ORNL provides access to unique facilities, laboratories, and equipment, drawing thousands of visiting researchers each year.

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  or . 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 or  .

About University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Our primary mission is to move forward the frontiers of human knowledge and enrich and elevate the citizens of the state of Tennessee, the nation, and the world. As the preeminent research-based, land-grant university in the state, UT embodies the spirit of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement attained by the nation’s finest public research institutions.

Connections working at University of Tennessee, Knoxville