The Mathematics Department at the University of Tennessee Knoxville (UTK) is searching for a faculty at the Associate or Assistant Professor rank to strengthen the university’s standing as a global leader in research focused on Foundations of Artificial Intelligence; this position is among those and will begin August 1, 2025. There will also be a unique opportunity for a joint appointment at the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department. Review of applications will begin on 10/01/24, and continue until the position is filled. Please contact Vasileios Maroulas at vmaroula@utk.edu with questions regarding this position. 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 FAI cluster is part of the “It takes a Volunteer” cluster hiring initiative at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. https://provost.utk.edu/it-takes-a-volunteer-2023-2025-cluster-hiring-initiative/ 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 Neurocognitive AI.
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, as well as those who will contribute to a climate that values diversity and inclusion.
The new hires will also support and contribute to the AI TENNessee. The AI TENNessee Initiative is a new transdisciplinary research and education initiative focused on the State of Tennessee’s unique AI strengths and opportunities for innovation. Led by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, this initiative is engaging with academic, industry, and community partners across Tennessee to leverage the benefits of AI across all disciplines and economic sectors in areas such as AI for science, smart manufacturing, climate-smart agriculture and forestry, precision health and environment, and future mobility. Our goal is to improve lives through AI research and education. The mission of the AI Tennessee initiative is to: 1) advance cutting-edge fundamental and transdisciplinary AI research and creative activity across all disciplines to address important challenges; 2) expand the number of Tennessee students developing skills and core competencies in AI across many disciplines to prepare them for AI-enabled jobs of today and the future; and 3) partner with industry and institutions statewide to position Tennessee as a national and global leader in the data-intensive knowledge economy.
The University of Tennessee Knoxville is the flagship campus of the UT system, land-grant university, and a public Carnegie Research 1 institution. As an 1862 land-grant university and as Volunteers, serving our state and nation is key to our mission. UT enrolls approximately 36,000 students at its Knoxville campus. Under a united leadership across the UT system, university campuses, and colleges, UTK is undergoing transformational changes focused on solving some of the most audacious, pressing problems our country and world face today.
The city of Knoxville is a hidden gem surrounded by eight gorgeous lakes, with a beautiful and walkable downtown, a diverse music scene including internationally recognized festivals, active neighborhoods, unique restaurants, and a robust offering of diverse cultural and outdoor activities. UTK is located within easy driving distance to the Great Smoky Mountains, Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, Charlotte, Louisville, and Cincinnati. It is only a day’s drive to Memphis, Chicago, and Washington, D.C. Knoxville and the surrounding counties have a population of more than 850,000 people.
Minimum Qualifications
A PhD or equivalent degree in mathematics, applied mathematics, or statistics is required at the time of application.
Preferred Qualifications
For an appointment at the Associate Professor rank:
Recognized contributions and potential for leadership in the Mathematics of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, especially in computational methods for high-dimensional data.
Demonstrated highly strong research publication record.
Potential for consistent track record for obtaining funding for the research programs, appropriate for the field of study.
Potential for leadership as a PI or co-PI, or participation as a Senior Personnel in interdisciplinary teams supported by an external source.
Effective, high-quality teaching skills, and ability to effectively mentor undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdocs.
For An Appointment At The Assistant Professor Rank
Contributions in the Mathematics of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, especially in computational methods for high-dimensional data.
Potential for obtaining funding for the research programs, appropriate for the field of study. Potential for participation as a PI/co-PI/Senior Personnel in interdisciplinary teams supported by an external source.
Effective, high-quality teaching skills, and ability to effectively mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
Applications should be submitted through Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/147481.
Applicants who wish to be considered at the Associate Professor rank may submit the following materials:
Cover letter addressing
why this position is of interest.
what their vision for this position is.
what strategy they will follow to achieve these endeavors.
Curriculum vitae that includes research funding (if available) and publications, research mentees at the undergraduate, graduate or postdoc levels. teaching experiences, honors, awards, employment, and education.
A publication list that states
their 5 best articles,
all manuscripts with their mentees as coauthors, and precisely state what level their mentees/coauthors were.
A list of funding record, including the total dollar amount per grant/collaborative agreement and the direct dollar amount allocated to the applicant’s research group.
A statement of professional goals highlighting i) teaching and mentoring, ii) research, including both disciplinary and transdisciplinary, and iii) collaboration and alignment with the University of Tennessee’s Foundation of AI cluster. In addition, candidates may describe how they would help promote students’ access to and inclusion in their teaching and research.
Contact information for three to five references. Reference letters will be requested for applicants invited for an interview.
Applicants who wish to be considered at the Assistant Professor rank may submit the following materials:
A cover letter to address why this position is of interest and their vision for this position.
Curriculum vitae that includes research funding (if available) and publications, teaching experiences, honors, awards, employment, and education.
A statement of professional goals highlighting (i) teaching and mentoring; (ii) research, including both disciplinary and transdisciplinary; and (iii) collaboration and alignment with the University of Tennessee’s Foundations of AI cluster. In addition, candidates may describe how they would help promote students’ access to and inclusion in their teaching and research.
Contact information for three to five references. Reference letters will be requested for applicants invited for an interview.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Requests for accommodations of a disability should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3560 or eoa@utk.edu or (865)974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation & Resolution 216 Business Incubator Building 2450 EJ. Chapman Drive Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 or (865)974-0717 or investigations@utk.edu.
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