Temp Research Associate, School of Natural Resources - UTIA

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Knoxville, TN, USA

USD 30-30 / hour

Posted on Jul 28, 2026
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The research associate will work on a project focused on non-thermal plasma-assisted methane partial oxidation to methanol. The position will involve experimental reactor operation, product analysis, catalyst/material characterization, data organization, and coordination with graduate and undergraduate students in the research group.

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 to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

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!
The Center for Renewable Carbon at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture seeks to hire a part-time temporary Research Associate to support research activities in Dr. Zihao Zhang’s group. The research associate will work on a project focused on non-thermal plasma-assisted methane partial oxidation to methanol. The position will involve experimental reactor operation, product analysis, catalyst/material characterization, data organization, and coordination with graduate and undergraduate students in the research group.

Required Qualifications

  • Education: Master or Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering or related fields.

  • Experience: No working experience required

  • Prior research experience in catalysis, reaction engineering, plasma-assisted chemical conversion, materials characterization, electrochemistry, or a related field.

  • Comfortable working in a laboratory environment, following safety protocols, maintaining detailed records, and communicating research progress clearly.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Education: Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering or related fields.

  • Experience: No working experience required

  • Research experience with gas chromatography, plasma reactors, heterogeneous catalysis, methane conversion, catalyst synthesis, and materials characterization techniques such as XRD, TEM, DRIFTS, XPS, XAS, or chemisorption.

  • Experience at synchrotron facilities with in situ/operando characterization.

Work Location

  • Location: Center for Renewable Carbon, Knoxville, TN
  • Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote: Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

  • UT market range: MR07
  • Anticipated hiring range: $30 per hour
  • 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.

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division

The Center for Renewable Carbon at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is a globally recognized leader in developing new and improved bioenergy sources, biorefinery processes, bioproducts, and biomaterials. The Center coordinates science, knowledge transfer, and workforce training to develop sustainable and economically viable circular bioeconomy systems.

The Research Associate will assist with the design, operation, and optimization of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactors for methane partial oxidation studies. Responsibilities will include preparing and testing catalyst/material samples, conducting plasma reaction experiments, monitoring reaction conditions, and analyzing gas and liquid products using gas chromatography and related analytical methods.

The associate will also support catalyst and material characterization using facilities available at the University of Tennessee and collaborating institutions. Relevant techniques may include X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier-transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), chemisorption, and other surface or structural characterization methods such as XPS and XAS as needed. The position may also involve assisting with synchrotron-based measurements at national user facilities, such as NSLS-II or SSRL, including sample preparation, travel for beamtime experiments, data collection, and preliminary data analysis.

Additional responsibilities include maintaining accurate laboratory records, organizing experimental data, preparing figures and summaries for group discussions, contributing to manuscripts or reports when appropriate, and helping maintain safe and organized laboratory operations. The research associate will also work collaboratively with Ph.D. and undergraduate students in the group, including providing technical guidance and assisting with experimental training as needed.

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