Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering - UTK
Knoxville, TN, USA
USD 75,024-75,024 / year
Posted on Aug 1, 2026
Civil and Environmental Engineering invites applications for one full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to collaborate with our team in environmental and analytical chemistry to study fate and transport of emerging pollutants in the environment.
The position is available to start as soon as filled. The Postdoctoral researcher will report to Dr. Fuhar Dixit. The compensation package includes a competitive salary, health benefits, career mentoring, and required travel.
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!
Civil and Environmental Engineering invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Research Associate to collaborate with our team in c the area of Chemical and Environmental Engineering. The post doc will work within a dynamic research team, will be exposed to interdisciplinary research and engagement, and will be expected to communicate with diverse audiences through various media.
Required Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or related field
- Background in polymer chemistry
- Experience with the ability to manage and mentor undergraduates, Masters, or starting doctoral students.
- Strong written and oral communication, management, and team leadership
- Effective interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with a diverse group of scientific and technical personnel.
- KEY SUCCESS FACTORS:
- Ability to work with internal and external collaborators to contribute 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 presentations to sponsors in written and oral format.
- Lead as Author/Co-author to actively publish technical publications, targeting peer-reviewed journals.
- ability to manage and mentor graduates student(s) in research
- strong written and oral communication skills
- knowledge in environmental contaminants and analytical chemistry
- effective interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment with a diverse group of individuals
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience with polymer synthesis would be preferred.
- Communication skills, in person or over ZOOM/TEAMS, with sponsors and students are key to success
- Strong background in preparing/delivering impromptu project presentations
- Demonstrated experience in publishing journal papers
Work Location
Location: Knoxville, TN
Onsite
Compensation and Benefits
Anticipated hiring range: $75,024
Find more information on UT Benefits here
Application Instructions
To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:
Resume
Cover Letter
For full consideration, a completed application should be submitted by August 14th, 2026.
- Conduct Research, perform various tasks associated with contracted research as well as new research initiatives, and disseminate the results via publications.
- Assist the Principal Investigator in preparing presentations, reports, interacting with sponsors in person or via emails, and prepare proposals.
- Ensure safe laboratory and work space environment, host tours, mentor students, upkeep equipment, assist in training new users as needed, and keep up with documentation of laboratory activities and related data as records.