The Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for a faculty position in Energy Transition Geoscience. The position is for a full time, 9-month, tenure-line appointment at the Assistant Professor level that will begin on 1 August 2025. 

The successful candidate is expected to develop a vigorous, externally funded research and instruction program in the broad field of energy transition geoscience focused on the geologic and/or geochemical processes associated with the decarbonization of energy systems. Candidates with research interests in, but not limited to, studies in the geology of geothermal resources, subsurface energy storage, carbon capture and storage, underground hydrogen storage, mineral carbonation, and enhanced rock weathering are encouraged to apply. The selected candidate will effectively teach courses about energy transition geoscience at all levels, mentor undergraduate and graduate students, and perform rank-appropriate departmental and university service. 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.

The position forms part of a strategic constellation of hires within the College of Arts and Sciences focused on Societal Resilience to Climate Change. There is also ample potential to develop collaborations within UTK, such as through the Institute for Climate and Community Resilience, and/or several energy-focused programs at the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Department has complementary and expanding expertise in geology and environmental research with a range of new applicable analytical facilities.

Societal Resilience to Climate Change (SoReCC) Constellation: Climate change has already become, and will remain, a defining global challenge of the 21st century. With societies now experiencing acute effects of rapid climate change, including environmental degradation, changes in global migration patterns, and political conflicts among nation-states, public and expert attention is increasingly shifting towards developing societal capabilities for disaster preparedness, prevention, mitigation, and resilience. Positions added in the SoReCC strategic focus area will leverage the College’s existing instructional and research strength in disciplines and transdisciplinary areas that speak to questions of climate change and societal resilience; because of student interest in working to combat the most acute effects of global climate change, these disciplines are also ones that experience strong undergraduate and graduate instructional demand. Strengthening research and instructional capabilities in this focus area helps make life and lives better and connects with existing UTK-wide initiatives such as One Health and research on the circular bioeconomy and global energy ecosystems.

Qualifications. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) degree in geoscience or a related discipline by the time of appointment. Candidates must demonstrate the potential for excellence in research through publications and/or competitive support (e.g., grants, fellowships, contracts), and for potential excellence in teaching. UTK is a land-grant university that values engaged forms of research/scholarship/creative activity, teaching and service. We consider evidence of these commitments in the records of applicants.

Application Instructions. To apply, please submit: (1) cover letter articulating the applicant’s interest in and qualifications for this position, (2) full curriculum vitae, (3) no more than two-page statement that describes research experience, interests, and plans, (4) no more than two-page statement that describes teaching experience, interests, and plans, and (5) names and contact information for at least three professional references via apply.interfolio.com/154634. In addition to addressing qualifications for the position, candidates may describe how they would help promote students’ access to and inclusion in their teaching and research/scholarship/creative activities. Formal review of Applications will begin on 1 November 2024 and remain open until filled. Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Chris Fedo (cfedo@utk.edu).

The Department of Earth, Environmental & Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-line faculty position in Critical Mineral Geology. The successful applicant will be hired at the rank of Assistant Professor, with an anticipated start date of August 1^st, 2025.

Candidates with research specializations that focus on the origin, distribution, and recovery of critical minerals including, but not limited to, hydrothermal and magmatic ore deposit genesis, low and high temperature geochemistry, mineral exploration and appraisal, and sustainable extraction of critical minerals and other non-hydrocarbon resources are encouraged to apply. Applications from candidates utilizing any combination of experimental, field-based, observational, or computational approaches in their research are welcomed. The successful applicant will develop a vigorous, externally funded research program in their discipline that includes supervision of undergraduate and graduate students. Teaching responsibilities will include developing engaging introductory courses, graduate and undergraduate classes in critical minerals and economic geology, and new course offerings in the candidate’s area of expertise.

We seek to hire a geoscientist whose expertise in critical minerals complements existing strengths of the Department of Earth, Environmental & Planetary Sciences, including sedimentary and structural geology, experimental petrology, trace element and isotope geochemistry, environmental science, and planetary geoscience.  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. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) in geoscience or related discipline at the time of the appointment. Applications from candidates who will complete their Ph.D. by the appointment date will be considered. Candidates must show the potential for excellence in research through publication and competitive support (e.g., grants, fellowships), and a record of or demonstration of potential for excellence in teaching. Preferred candidates demonstrate potential to establish collaborations within EEPS, and potentially with research units across the University and at nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory, to address complex societal challenges related to critical minerals, including topics related to energy, natural resources, and environmental issues.Application Instructions. To apply, submit application materials using the following link: apply.interfolio.com/154951, including (1) full curriculum vitae, (2) cover letter, (3) research statement, (4) teaching statement, and (5) names of 3 references with contact information. Review of applications will begin December 1^st, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. In addition to addressing 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/scholarship/creative activities. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is an R1 institution and the flagship of the state system. As land-grant university, it values engaged forms of research/scholarship/creative activity, teaching and service, and considers evidence of these commitments in the records of applicants. The position will remain open until filled. Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Colin D. Sumrall (csumrall@utk.edu).