Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering - UTK

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

24d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is hiring a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to collaborate with a team in environmental and analytical chemistry studying the fate and transport of emerging pollutants in the environment. The position is available to start as soon as filled and reports to Dr. Fuhar Dixit. The compensation package includes a competitive salary, health benefits, career mentoring, and required travel.

The role combines research activities with laboratory operations, student mentoring, sponsor communication, and dissemination of research results. The successful candidate will contribute to contracted research and new initiatives, assist with proposals and project presentations, and lead or co-author technical publications aimed at peer-reviewed journals. The position is onsite in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Polymer Science, Metallurgy, or a related field.
• Experience managing and mentoring undergraduate, master's, or beginning doctoral students.
• Strong written and oral communication, management, and team leadership skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with diverse scientific and technical personnel.
• Ability to work with internal and external collaborators to contribute to and facilitate progress in research projects.
• Ability to coordinate with personnel from various technical backgrounds.
• Ability to deliver project presentations and devote time and energy under deadlines to prepare written and oral presentations for sponsors.
• Communication skills in person or over Zoom or Teams with sponsors and students.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience with polymer chemistry and metallurgy is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and perform tasks associated with contracted research and new research initiatives.
• Disseminate research results through publications.
• Assist the Principal Investigator with presentations, reports, sponsor interactions in person or by email, and proposal preparation.
• Ensure a safe laboratory and workspace environment.
• Host tours and mentor students.
• Maintain equipment and assist in training new users as needed.
• Maintain documentation of laboratory activities and related data records.
• Coordinate and collaborate with internal and external project contributors and sponsors.
• Prepare and deliver project presentations to sponsors in written and oral formats.
• Lead or co-author technical publications targeting peer-reviewed journals.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health benefits
• Career mentoring
• Required travel
• Career development and coaching
• Continued education
• Development and training opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree