Research Associate: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering - UTK

University Of Tennessee College
University Of Tennessee College

Knoxville, TN, USA

USD 75,024-75,024 / year

Posted on Aug 8, 2026
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The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering seeks applications from extraordinarily qualified individuals for a full-time Research Associate position. Research areas include manufacturing and development of functional composite materials, x-ray tomography, and mechanical testing suitable for extreme environment applications. A Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and a strong record of accomplishment are required.

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 Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering seeks applications from extraordinarily qualified individuals for a full-time Research Associate position. Research areas include manufacturing and development of functional composite materials, x-ray tomography, and mechanical testing suitable for extreme environment applications. A Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) and a strong record of accomplishment are required.

Required Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in CEE or related field.

  • Ability to manage and mentor undergraduates and graduate personnel for sponsored projects.

  • Strong written and oral communication, management, and team leadership.

  • Extensive Graduate Assistant experience during PhD with the preparation in multiphase materials, mechanical testing, and x-ray imaging.

  • Effective interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work in a team environment with a diverse group of scientific and technical personnel.

  • 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-based visa status.

Work Location

  • Location: Knoxville, TN

  • Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

  • UT market range: MR09

  • Anticipated hiring range: $75,024

  • 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

About The Department

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE) has 27 tenure-line faculty members and five non-tenured full-time teaching faculty and offer baccalaureate, masters, and PhD degrees in all areas of Civil and Environmental Engineering. CEE faculty collaborate through a number of interdisciplinary centers including the Center for Transportation Research, the Institute for a Secure and Sustainable environment, and the Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing. The department is also leading the Future of Construction Initiative, featuring a full0scale robotic arm 3-D concrete printing facility. As the leading university partner in UT-Battelle, the management company for Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), UTK offers extraordinary opportunities for cutting-edge research in science and engineering with the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII). The department rands in the top 5% of all US Civil and Environmental Engineering programs in per-faculty scholarly publications and citations according to Academic Analytics.

  • Fundamental experimental research.

  • Performs experiments and other exercises using independent judgment.

  • Write papers, reports and present the research findings.

  • Provide updates to PI/direct manager on meeting project milestones and/or provide proactive suggestions if milestones may not be met on time

  • Writes and publishes manuscripts/results of research via journal publications

  • Mentors students and oversees lab safety training and environment

  • Conducts training/lectures on research and may also be expected to provide results and benchmarking to sponsored projects constituents if required by the research

  • Leads/designs assessments that students or assistant my assist with and support

  • Provides tours of the labs when needed and ensures clean working environment in the labs

  • Participate in writing proposals with the new ideas gained from the research finding.

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