Assistant/Associate Professor of Forest Informatics

The University of Tennessee School of Natural Resources invites applications for an Assistant or Associate Professor of Forest Informatics.  This is a 9-month, 75% research/25% teaching, tenure-track position, stationed on the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) campus, in Knoxville, with a hire date of August 1, 2026.  This position is part of an initiative to strengthen UT’s ability to develop a national reputation in the area of resilient agricultural and forest systems (RAFS), which includes six faculty positions with home units in the School of Natural Resources, Biosystems Engineering and Soil Sciences, Agricultural & Resource Economics, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs. 

The focus of this position is forest informatics, involving expertise in interactive modeling of large-scale forests and other natural ecosystems which are resilient to natural and human-induced disasters, disturbances, and environmental degradation. The successful candidate will apply advanced data science and spatial technologies in research related to optimizing and designing functional forest systems, improving biodiversity and environmental health, increasing profitability, and enhancing human well-being.  

The finalist will lead and/or participate in interdisciplinary academic and research programming focusing on forest informatics; secure extramural funding to support the interdisciplinary research program; publish in high quality disciplinary and multidisciplinary journals; teach one undergraduate course and one graduate course in the faculty’s area of expertise; mentor and supervise undergraduate and graduate students; and participate in service activities of the RAFS Cluster, School, College, University, and profession. Administrative and cluster leadership responsibilities are dependent on the level of experience and career stage of the finalist. 

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to leverage existing relationships with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Southern Forest Service-Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) unit.  Potential collaborative groups at the University of Tennessee include the Business Analytics & Statistics Program, the UT Institute of Secure and Sustainable Environment, the Global Supply Chain Institute, and the AI Tennessee Initiative.

The University of Tennessee (UT) is the state's flagship land grant university and is currently experiencing unprecedented growth in enrollment, with approximately 35,000 enrolled students. UT is a Carnegie Foundation Research (R1) University with the highest research activity and has achieved a Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. UT offers an extensive benefits package that includes comprehensive health insurance, retirement, and more.  Nine-month faculty are eligible to earn summer salary from externally funded grants. The start-up package for this position is designed to support the launch of the cluster hire. 

Qualifications: A Ph.D. in forestry, forest biometrics or informatics, quantitative ecology/geography, or a closely related field, completed before the position start date; excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work with interdisciplinary teams. All but dissertation (ABD) applicants are encouraged to apply.  Demonstrated experience in productive interdisciplinary collaborations and experience working in teams is preferred.

Qualifications for appointment to faculty rank may be found in the UT faculty handbook (https://facultyhandbook.utk.edu/).  Tenure upon initial appointment (TUIA) is based on the finalist?s qualifications.  Starting salary is commensurate with experience. 

To apply, upload a cover letter detailing interest in the position, a statement of research interest, a statement of teaching philosophy, a curriculum vitae detailing educational background, work experience, publications, and grants secured, copies of undergraduate and graduate level transcripts, and names and full contact information of three professional references, through the university?s faculty applicant system.  Screening of applicants will begin January 2026 and continue until the position is filled.  Questions regarding the position may be directed to search committee chair, Neelam Poudyal, npoudyal@utk.edu

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 accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 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 and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.

About University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Our primary mission is to move forward the frontiers of human knowledge and enrich and elevate the citizens of the state of Tennessee, the nation, and the world. As the preeminent research-based, land-grant university in the state, UT embodies the spirit of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement attained by the nation’s finest public research institutions.

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