Description
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) seeks exceptional candidates to fill one tenured/tenure-track faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) or Biomedical Engineering (BME) in areas related to the convergence between AI/ML and human intelligence, brain-computer interfaces, neuro-engineering. This search is part of a cluster hire to add faculty across multiple departments with expertise in foundational artificial intelligence research that bridges the gap between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. We are particularly interested in the convergence of AI with the study of the human brain as a dynamical system, from sensing, processing, and control perspectives at both the circuit and system levels. Strong candidates in mechanical engineering or biomedical engineering with applications in areas not explicitly listed will also be considered.
UT is searching for additional faculty to strengthen the university’s position as a global leader in foundational artificial intelligence; this position is among them. Recruitment into the Foundational AI cluster creates opportunities to build bold agendas that advance big ideas. The successful candidate will join a team of approximately 40 established and successful faculty with shared and complementary research interests in theoretical machine learning, AI theory, ML accelerators, representation learning, reinforcement learning, neurocognitive dynamics, and a strong desire to grow the scholarly and educational impact of their work. For early career faculty, the cluster also offers a unique framework for professional development and mentorship within a rich transdisciplinary environment.
The ideal candidate for this position has a collaborative mindset and prioritizes working with colleagues to realize shared research and educational achievements, including large-scale proposals, joint publications, and new transdisciplinary curricular programming. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant institution, UT is particularly interested in recruiting candidates who are deeply connected to the organizations and communities in which their work will have translational impact.
The successful candidate will be expected to (1) conduct and publish scholarly research; (2) pursue funding to support an active research agenda; (3) teach undergraduate and graduate courses; (4) mentor graduate students; and (5) participate in departmental service.
The foundational AI cluster is part of the “It takes a Volunteer” cluster hiring initiative at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. This cluster aims to build a team of excellence from interdisciplinary areas, including computer science and engineering, biomedical engineering, neuro and cognitive science, and mathematics. As part of this institutional priority initiative, new hires will join a dynamic core group of collaborators with complementary experience and a shared interest in building a national reputation for excellence and innovation in foundational AI.
Information about the University, College, Department, and Knoxville
UTK is the state’s flagship campus and leading research institution with a strong partnership with nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where many UTK faculty have ongoing joint positions and/or joint research projects. In addition, there are extensive opportunities for collaborations with members of the Neuroscience Network of East Tennessee (NeuroNET) and National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS).
The Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) is in the midst of an unprecedented period of growth and success, including adding over 30 new faculty to the college as part of ambitious hiring campaigns led by Chancellor Donde Plowman and Dean Matthew Mench. The college has set records in research expenditures, enrollment, incoming student GPA, intellectual property development, and USNWR rank in the past three years. New facilities include the state-of-the art Zeanah Engineering Complex, the University of Tennessee Manufacturing and Design Enterprise (TN-MADE) facility, and the Innovation South building now under construction that will house UTK’s Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF).
TCE has 203 tenure/tenure track and 79 non-tenure track faculty in its nine academic departments and offers 11 undergraduate, 16 MS, and 15 PhD/DE degree programs. Affiliated with TCE and located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the UT Space Institute is a hub of aerospace and defense research. The college is also home to eight research centers and three interdisciplinary institutes. With approximately 4,300 undergraduate and 1,500 graduate students, the college sits 29th among public universities in the most recent U.S. News and World Report graduate rankings. Faculty in the college have won 29 early career awards (NSF, DOE, DARPA, AFOSR, and ARO) since 2016. In FY24, the college had annual research expenditures of $113.6M.
The city of Knoxville is a hidden gem with an elegant and walkable downtown, rich and varied nightlife, vibrant neighborhoods, eclectic restaurants, and amazing access to outdoor activities of all kinds as well as exciting cultural events throughout the year. UTK is in Knoxville, Tennessee, within an easy driving distance to Nashville, Atlanta, Asheville, and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. From Knoxville’s TYS Airport, Knoxville has nonstop flights to 22 major airports in the US, including direct flights to cities such as DC, NYC, Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix.
In addition, Knoxville and the surrounding areas boast great K-12 schools and one of the most highly educated populations in the entire US. With one of the lowest costs of living in the country, Knoxville was recently recognized in U.S. News and World Report as the 29th best place to live in the U.S. In 2024, US News ranked the State of Tennessee as #5 in fiscal stability, #12 in economy, and #21 in infrastructure.
Requirements
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications: A PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or a related discipline at the time of appointment.
Preferred Qualifications: Previous experience working in the convergent areas of neuro-engineering, brain-computer interface, AI/ML and neuro-cognitive science, AI/ML and dynamical system analysis, representation learning, and uncertainty quantification with a tie to human intelligence.
For an Appointment at the Assistant Professor rank: The candidate is expected to show potential for obtaining funding for the research programs, and for participation in interdisciplinary teams. The candidate is also expected to show effective, high-quality teaching skills, and the ability to effectively mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
For an Appointment at the Associate Professor rank: The candidate is expected to have conducted nationally/internationally recognized research works and show strong leadership potential. The candidate is also expected to show effective, high-quality teaching skills, and the ability to effectively mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
Application Instructions:
Applicants should electronically submit the following via Interfolio.
1. CV
2. Cover Letter
3. Teaching Statement
4. Research Statement
5. Representative publications (not more than 3)
6. A list of three references, including names, email addresses, and phone numbers.
Applications should be submitted to the online listing (https://apply.interfolio.com/175382). Review of applications will begin November 7th, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. Please submit your application by November 7th, 2025, to ensure full consideration. Please contact the search chair, Dr. Subhadeep Chakraborty (schakrab@utk.edu) if you have any questions.
