The Department of Sociology at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for a tenure-track position at the level of Assistant Professor beginning August 1, 2025, in the area of transportation pertaining to socio-ecological impacts, inequities, and other challenges associated with current and future transportation and mobility systems. Understanding of adaptive systems and technologies, green economies and transportation, and the diffusion and adoption of green transportation and mobility systems would also be helpful.
This search is part of a cluster hire to add faculty across multiple departments with expertise in transportation and mobility. UT is searching for additional faculty to strengthen the university’s position as a global leader in smart transportation; this position is among them. Recruitment into the Future Mobility Institute cluster creates opportunities to build bold agendas that advance big ideas. The successful candidate will join a team of approximately 40 established and successful faculty with shared and complementary research interests in electrification and electric motors, connectivity, autonomous and shared transportation, as well as policy, supply chain transportation, and a strong desire to grow the scholarly and educational impact of their work. For early career faculty, the cluster also offers a unique framework for professional development and mentorship within a rich transdisciplinary environment.
The ideal candidate for this position has a collaborative mindset and prioritizes working with colleagues to realize shared research and educational achievements, including large-scale proposals, joint publications, and new transdisciplinary curricular programming. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant institution, UT is particularly interested in recruiting candidates who are deeply connected to the organizations and communities in which their work will have translational impact, as well as those who will contribute to a climate that values diversity and inclusion. More information about the Institute for Future Mobility can be obtained at https://research.utk.edu/mobility/
Applicants are expected to teach classes in the Department of Sociology at the undergraduate and graduate level, conduct research, and supervise graduate students. We are particularly interested in candidates who can contribute to the department’s long and enduring reputation for advancing social justice research (http://sociology.utk.edu) and whose research resonates with at least one of our four departmental areas: critical race and ethnic studies, criminology, environmental sociology, and political economy & globalization. Applicants should demonstrate promise of distinguished scholarship and excellence in teaching and will be expected to seek external funding as a condition of tenure and promotion within the department. A Ph.D. in Sociology or a related area is required at the time of appointment. This position would be partially subsidized during the summer and provides substantial start-up and graduate and postgraduate funding and support.
The Department of Sociology at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville has a strong international reputation for excellence. We have built a mutually supportive and collegial atmosphere in which scholars make important contributions to research, teaching, and public engagement. The Department and the University are seeking candidates who can contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University.
Currently, the University has approximately 28,800 undergraduate and 7,200 graduate students. The City of Knoxville has a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly downtown, active community organizations and neighborhoods, and eclectic cultural activities, music venues, restaurants, and shopping opportunities. TripAdvisor recently named it a Top Ten Destination on the Rise. The Knoxville metropolitan area has a population of more than 907,000 and is within easy driving distance to Atlanta, Nashville, Asheville, and the Great Smoky Mountains.
Review of applications will begin November 18, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Please upload a letter of application, curriculum vitae with the names and contact information of two references, one writing sample, research statement, and teaching statement to http://apply.interfolio.com/156804. Direct questions to Dr. Robert Emmet (“Bobby”) Jones, Search Committee Chair, via e-mail (mountain@utk.edu). More information on the Department of Sociology is at http://sociology.utk.edu.
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status.