Professor & Department Head of Chemistry, Fall 2025

Description

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for the position of Professor and Department Head.  The position has an anticipated start date of August 1, 2025.  

The Department of Chemistry is a vibrant department including 25 tenured and tenure-track faculty members, who conduct research in diverse areas of chemistry, including analytical, physical, inorganic, organic, and polymer chemistry with a reputation for strong interdisciplinary research.  The department also includes 10 lecturers and 24 support staff.   Approximately 180 graduate and 160 undergraduate students are enrolled in the department’s BS, MS and PhD programs. The department website: https://chem.utk.edu outlines current strengths and facilities. UTK Chemistry faculty collaborate within numerous UTK research centers (https://research.utk.edu/centers/) and at the nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). 

The Department Head is responsible for leadership of all departmental programs and administrative responsibility for planning, fiscal management, human resources and facilities. The Head articulates and promotes the Department’s vision to provide high quality, relevant education, and training for undergraduate and graduate students. The successful candidate is expected to effectively advocate for the Department to external constituencies and university administration; recruit, motivate and strengthen faculty and  staff; promote educational opportunities for students; foster an environment of collegiality, teamwork, inclusivity and respect for multicultural and multidisciplinary settings; interact with faculty, students, and stakeholders to determine direction and priorities; cultivate externally sponsored and donor development opportunities; and increase national recognition and program ranking. The successful candidate is expected to maintain an active research program that will be supported by state-of-the-art research facilities, expert administrative staff, and scientific specialists.  

The campus is located in one of the most beautiful areas of the country with easy access to miles of inland waterways, pristine state and national parks, diverse cultural opportunities, and a blend of convenient urban and rural living settings. Downtown Knoxville, adjacent to campus, is a thriving neighborhood filled with restaurants, shops, and indoor and outdoor entertainment venues. 

Qualifications

Required qualifications. The requirements for this position are: (i) a Ph.D. in Chemistry or a closely related field; (ii) a strong service record of administrative, financial, and personnel management skills that includes evidence of leadership, curriculum development, and donor development success; (iii) an established track record of research productivity and external research funding; (iv) teaching experience in any area of Chemistry. The successful candidate must meet qualifications for tenure and appointment at the rank of full professor, as outlined in our bylaws (https://chem.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2023-1127-Chemistry-ByLaws.pdf).    

Preferred qualifications. The successful candidate should be an inspiring, energetic, and well-organized leader who can interact effectively with all faculty, staff, and students within the department. The candidate should also have excellent interpersonal communication skills, high ethical standards, strategic vision, and be able to foster a collegial environment. They will be expected to build collaborative relationships with other programs and departments, advocate on behalf of the department with administrative units throughout the University, advance external donor development goals of the department, and engage deeply with planning and establishment of the new Chemistry building. The Knoxville Campus of the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates who can contribute in meaningful ways to the intercultural goals of the University.

Application Instructions

Please submit (i) a two-page cover letter, (ii) Curriculum Vitae, (iii) vision statement of up to five pages incorporating leadership and administration approaches and evidence of prior success, (iv) three-page description of research program, and (v) contact information for three academic references, via http://apply.interfolio.com/159080.  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/creat