Research Scientist: Department of Defense Research Center - UTK

The Research Scientist (Metallurgy) conducts applied and fundamental research involving alloy development, heat treatments, and advanced manufacturing of metallic components for defense applications. This role operates within UT’s Defense Research Center, collaborating with government, industry, and academic partners to advance DoD-funded materials initiatives.

This position is responsible for leading and supporting fundamental and applied research in physical and mechanical metallurgy with a focus on advanced manufacturing methods for metallic systems in support of Department of Defense–funded initiatives. The scientist will conduct research on microstructure–process–property relationships, heat treatment strategies, and alloy development for a range of metallic materials—including aluminum alloys, high-strength steels, and refractory metals such as tungsten and molybdenum—and will qualify and optimize these materials for use in defense-critical components fabricated via Additive Friction Stir Deposition (AFSD), Cold Spray, and Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM).

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

The scientist designs and executes metallurgical experiments on aluminum, steel, and refractory metal systems; develops and applies heat-treatment schedules to tailor microstructures; and characterizes materials using techniques such as optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, EBSD, XRD, microhardness testing, and mechanical evaluations. They also develop and validate analytical and computational models, support qualification of AFSD, WAAM, and Cold Spray processes, mentor students and partners, and manage laboratory equipment, safety protocols, and research operations.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related Engineering disciplines
• Experience: 3 years of experience in metallurgy including heat treatments, microstructural characterization, and mechanical testing
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of operation and ability to conduct heat treatment processes. Knowledge and operation of materials characterization techniques such as optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, EBSD, XRD, microhardness testing, and mechanical evaluation (tensile, compression, fatigue). Technical writing skills for proposal, report, and manuscript preparation. Strong interpersonal and collaborative relationship skills

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Doctoral Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related Engineering disciplines
• Experience: 1 year or more experience in CNC machining. 1 year or more experience with structured light scanners, coordinate measuring machines, optical profilometers. 1 year or more experience with additive manufacturing processes for metals
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Knowledge of operation and ability to use CNC machining for part production and experiments. Knowledge of operation and ability to use wire electrical discharge machining for part production. Knowledge of operation and ability to use and interpret results of measurements performed using structured light scanners, coordinate measuring machines, optical profilometers. Knowledge of operation and ability to use additive manufacturing techniques and in-situ monitoring for metal and hybrid materials components. Ability to perform experiments for model development

Work Location:

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR 13
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, all requested materials should be included in the application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College:

The Tickle College of Engineering is in the midst of an unprecedented period of growth and success including adding over 30 new faculty as part of ambitious cluster hiring campaigns led by Chancellor Donde Plowman and Dean Matthew Mench. Since 2021, the college has set records in research expenditures, enrollment, incoming student GPA, intellectual property development, and USNWR rank. 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 which houses UTK’s Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF). TCE currently has 208 Tenure/Tenure Track and 65 Non-Tenure Track faculty in its nine academic departments and offers 13 undergraduate, 16 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 4,300 undergraduate and 1,500 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, and ARO) since 2016. In FY24, the college had NSF HERD research expenditures of $121 million.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!