Applications and nominations are invited for the position of the inaugural Head of the Department of Applied Engineering and Technology (AET) in the Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). The expected start is August 1, 2025. The AET Department will offer industry-relevant academic programs that emphasize the direct hands-on application of engineering principles to tangible, real-world challenges in alignment with the workforce needs of current and emerging industries. The department will initially focus on offering engineering education in advanced manufacturing, aerospace engineering, energy storage and conversion, and applied computer science, sectors that are integral to the workforce needs of Tennessee and the region. The training will ensure that students receive practical experience and industry exposure to foster a seamless transition into the industry workforce. The AET department will play a vital role in contributing to UTK and TCE's short-, medium-, and long-term priorities in areas such as enhanced enrollment, diversity, workforce development, outreach and industry partnerships.

The Tennessee economy is experiencing a dynamic transformation, driven by rapid advancements in technology and a surge in high-tech industries. The demand for skilled engineers in the state far outpaces the supply, highlighting the need for innovative educational programs that can deliver immediate and impactful results. The AET department will offer a transformative pathway to engineering education for TN students, particularly those who thrive on hands-on learning and seek tangible applications of theoretical knowledge, offering a platform to channel their practical orientation into structured problem-solving that is directly relevant to industry (such as designing and fabricating prototypes, optimizing operations, and performance testing, evaluation, and troubleshooting). It will also provide opportunities to train students with entrepreneurial mindset and those aiming to be pioneers in emerging tech industry. The AET department will contribute to UTK?s goal of expanding access to engineering education as a land grant university.

Primary responsibilities of the department head are: 1) to provide visionary leadership and setting long-term goals and objectives to advance the department's mission in alignment with the university's overall strategic plan; 2) to encourage excellence practical and hands-on engineering education, ensuring that the curriculum meets industry standards and addresses emerging trends and technologies; 3) to establish a strong industry network to support the department; 4) to pursue diverse opportunities to expand the facilities and technologies for hands-on teaching and learning activities; 5) to advance the professional development of faculty, staff and students; 6) to promote productive relationships with all constituents including students, parents, alumni, industry, national laboratories, and government agencies; 7) to lead efforts to achieve and maintain ABET accreditation for the program; and 8) to foster productive interdisciplinary relationships with a variety of entities across the University community. The inaugural department head will have the opportunity to lead the department in its pursuit of excellence through strategic hires in key areas that advance the mission of the department and college. UTK is seeking candidates with the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University.

The Tickle College of Engineering is undergoing an unprecedented period of growth and success and anticipates adding over 30 new faculty over the next three years as part of ambitious cluster hiring campaigns lead by Chancellor Donde Plowman and Dean Matthew Mench. The college has set records in research expenditures, enrollment, incoming student GPA, diversity, and intellectual property development for two years running. New facilities include the state-of-the art Zeanah Engineering Complex, the University of Tennessee Manufacturing and Design Enterprise (TN-MADE) facility, and the Innovation South building now under construction that will house UT?s Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF). TCE currently has 195 T/TT and 73 NTT faculty in its seven academic departments and offers 12 undergraduate, 17 MS, and 15 PhD degree programs. Affiliated with TCE and located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the UT Space Institute is a hub of aerospace and defense research. The college is also home to eight research centers and three interdisciplinary institutes. With approximately 3,900 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students, the college sits 29th among public universities in the most recent U.S. News and World Report graduate rankings. Faculty in the college have won 29 early career awards (NSF, DoE, DARPA, AFOSR, ONR, and ARO) since 2016. In FY24, the college had NSF HERD research expenditures of more than $121 million. The longstanding partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and many industries in Tennessee and the region will provide unparalleled opportunities for hands-on engineering education, allowing students to engage directly with advanced technologies and real-world engineering projects to enhance their practical skills and understanding.

Knoxville is a regional center for employment, commerce, and health care. It has a thriving downtown, beautiful nearby urban wilderness areas, is within an hour of the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and is located within 3 hours of two major metropolitan centers, Atlanta and Nashville.

Required:  PhD in Engineering or other appropriate discipline.  Candidates must have a record of accomplishments consistent with appointment as a tenured full professor. 

Desired:  The successful candidate should demonstrate a strong perspective on hands-on approaches to engineering education and industry partnership as well as the vision and ability to lead a faculty representing a diverse range of interests. Demonstrated excellence in leadership, management, teaching, and research is preferred.

Applications should be submitted to Interfolio (apply.interfolio.com/152915) and include 1) a curriculum vitae, 2) a statement that addresses the applicant's leadership experience/philosophy, and a vision for the AET department, and 3) the names and contact information of five references. Review of applications will begin on November 4, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.  For additional information, contact search committee chair Dr. Michael Danquah (mdanquah@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 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.

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.

Connections working at University of Tennessee, Knoxville