Assistant Professor – Clinical/Translational Nutrition, Fall 2025

Position Description
The Department of Nutrition, in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is seeking a nine-month, tenure-track assistant professor with broad interests in clinical, translational, or epidemiological research in cardio-metabolic/cognitive health; chronic disease prevention across lifespan; precision nutrition and data science. Candidates with training and research experience in clinical research/trials, epidemiology, and data science are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate excellence in research, teaching, and service. The position begins on August 1, 2025.

The candidate who fills this position will be expected to engage in high-impact scholarly research, to seek external funding to support this research, and to mentor departmental graduate students. This faculty member will also be expected to provide excellent teaching in graduate and undergraduate classes, provide experiential learning opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students and, engage in institutional and professional service.

This 9-month, fulltime (1.0 FTE), position begins August 1, 2025. Starting salary is commensurate with experience. UTK has a competitive benefits package, and 9-month tenure-track faculty are eligible for summer salary. UTK is Tennessee's flagship land grant university and is currently in the midst of unprecedented growth in enrollment, with approximately 35,000 enrolled students. The University is also a Carnegie Foundation Research (R1) University with highest research activity and has achieved a Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. Forbes Magazine recently ranked UTK as one of the best places to work in the US, including a ranking of ninth among public higher education institutions in the United States.

About UT Knoxville, the Department of Nutrition, and the Knoxville area
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is the state’s flagship university with approximately 35,000 students currently enrolled, including both undergraduate and graduate students. It is a place that is growing and thriving and provides a high-quality immersive educational experience for students. Meet UTK video.

The Department of Nutrition is housed on the northeast corner of campus, within close proximity to “the Hill” and vibrant downtown Knoxville. Our long-standing undergraduate Dietetics concentration (including the Didactic Program in Dietetics or DPD) graduates approximately 30-40 students each year. We premiered the first ACEND-accredited Graduate Program in Nutrition and Dietetics (GP) in Tennessee in fall 2020 with a concentration in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, which has grown to prepare 16-18 future RDNs each year through intensive master’s study. Program graduates have a 100% pass rate on the RDN exam and are employed primarily in clinical positions across the country. The Department also offers concentrations in Biomedical Nutrition Science and Community Nutrition.

Knoxville, nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, is the third largest city in Tennessee with a population near 200,000, but a metropolitan statistical area population of over 850,000 people. This moderate-sized city is very livable with a thriving arts and music scene, cultural festivals, vibrant downtown, and museums. The surrounding area is a haven for water enthusiasts due to close proximity of the Tennessee River and numerous lakes. The nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park and many state and local parks offer the opportunity for hiking and outdoor exploration. Sporting events are also numerous with the University of Tennessee as well as professional teams. Knoxville is not easy to define in one word - it offers something for everyone. Learn more about Knoxville.

Position Responsibilities:
Teaching (40%): Develop and teach campus-based undergraduate and graduate nutrition courses. Mentor/advice graduate and undergraduate students on dissertation and thesis projects.

Research (50%): Establish extramurally funded collaborative clinical, translational, or epidemiological research program in cardio-metabolic/cognitive health; chronic disease prevention across lifespan; precision nutrition and data science.

Service (10%): Serve on Department, College and University Committees depending upon experience, interest, and program needs. Participate in departmental faculty meetings, community and professional activities as appropriate.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

♦ Ph.D. or terminal degree in Nutrition or a related field by the start of employment.

♦ Successful record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals

♦ Evidence of the ability to develop an innovative research program supported by external funding.

♦ Prior evidence of transdisciplinary research collaboration

♦ Research training/experience in clinical research/trials, epidemiology, and data science

Preferred Qualifications:

♦ Credentialed as a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) by the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR)

♦ Post-doctoral university teaching experience

♦ Relevant Post-doctoral research experience

♦ Prior experience of securing extramural research funding

Application Instructions

Individuals interested in applying for this position should submit a letter of application, curriculum vita, and list of three references who can address the applicant’s qualifications and experience with complete addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses to apply.interfolio.com/152448.

Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled.

Questions can be directed to Sarah Colby, search committee chair, at scolby1@utk.edu .