Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science: UTIA

This position is part of a cutting-edge project investigating the conversion of nitrogen in air to nitrogen fertilizer using plasma technologies, and the practical applications.

The successful candidate will contribute to multiple aspects of the project, including:

• Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of chemical reactions in plasma environments
• Development of catalysts tailored for plasma-assisted processes
• System integration and performance optimization

• Techno-economic analysis of the developed systems

The successful candidate is expected to conduct experiments outlined in the job description, to analyze data, and to write project reports and manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications. They will also contribute to multiple aspects of the project, including: 

• Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of chemical reactions in plasma environments
• Development of catalysts tailored for plasma-assisted processes
• System integration and performance optimization

• Techno-economic analysis of the developed systems

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Agricultural/Biosystems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• Solid understanding of plasma physics and chemistry.
• Demonstrated experience in applied chemical catalysis.
• Hands-on experience with high-voltage plasma technologies.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong motivation, independence, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

Applicants with experience in one or more of the following areas will be strongly preferred:

• Electrical characterization of plasma discharges.
• Plasma diagnostics via optical emission or Raman spectroscopy.
• Chemical product analysis (e.g., GC, UV-Vis, FTIR).
• Application of AI or machine learning techniques to reaction system optimization.
• Techno-economic analysis.

Work Location:

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

We are accepting applications from now until March 1, 2026. Interested applicants should submit the following documents as a single PDF file, named using your last name and date, in the following order:

1. Cover Letter detailing your research achievements and interests
2. Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Names and contact information for at least three professional references

 

For application or inquiry about the position, please contact:

Prof. X. Philip Ye

Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996

Email: xye2@utk.edu

Voice: (865)974-7129

 

About The College/Department/Division:

• Please visit the department website: https://bess.tennessee.edu/

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. 
UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 
The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of