Two Tenure-Track Positions, Open Rank, Foundational AI Cluster Search

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) seeks exceptional candidates to fill two tenure-track faculty positions at all ranks, in the Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), starting on or before August 1, 2025. 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.

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.

The ideal candidates for this cluster search should have a collaborative mindset and prioritize working with colleagues to realize shared research and educational achievements, including large-scale proposals, joint publications, and new transdisciplinary curricular programming. For early career faculty, the cluster offers a unique framework for professional development and mentorship within a rich transdisciplinary environment. 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, as well as those who will contribute to a climate that values diversity and inclusion.

The hires will also be expected to support the AI TENNessee (Transdisciplinary AI Education and iNNovation) Initiative, a new research and education initiative focused on the State of Tennessee’s unique AI strengths and opportunities.

UTK is a leading research institution that has a strong partnership with the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where many faculty have ongoing joint positions and/or joint research projects.

EECS, the largest department in UT’s Tickle College of Engineering, is thriving and excelling. According to U.S. News and World Report, our three programs - Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Computer Science - rank 29th, 32nd, and 51st, respectively, among public universities.

In addition, Knoxville and the surrounding areas boast excellent 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 fact, in 2024, US News ranked the state of Tennessee as #5 in fiscal stability, #12 in economy, and #21 in infrastructure.

A detailed description of the position, application deadlines, and directions for applying via Interfolio can be found on the Faculty Openings section of the EECS Employment Opportunities web page : https://www.eecs.utk.edu/resources/employment-opportunities/
Application deadline is November 8, 2024.