Life Science Research Assistant Jobs in Tennessee

The Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences College of Dentistry seeks a full-time research-focused faculty member with a strong commitment to advancing the department's research mission while providing structured guidance and facilitation of student research. This role combines an active, independent or collaborative research program with dedicated responsibility for developing, coordinating, and mentoring student scholarly activity across the dental education continuum and includes meaningful teaching contributions aligned with departmental needs. This position is tenure or non-tenure track at the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor. The successful candidate will contribute to a vibrant research environment by producing high-quality scholarships pursuing extramural funding, and fostering a culture of inquiry among students. The position emphasizes mentorship, research skill development, and the creation of supportive infrastructure that helps students engage in meaningful research experiences and disseminate their work. Academic rank is based on academic credentials. 

EDUCATION: Doctoral Degree (DDS/DMD, PhD., or equivalent terminal degree) in Dentistry, Biomedical Sciences, or a related discipline.

EXPERIENCE: Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple trainee projects and timelines simultaneously.

DEPARTMENTAL PREFERENCES: 

• Experience developing student research programming, structured mentorship models, or research training curricula. 

• Familiarity with research compliance processes (e.g., IRB/IACUC) and best practices in research rigor and reproducibility. 

• Teaching experience using active-learning approaches and outcomes-based assessment.

THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCES

The University of Tennessee Health Sciences is a statewide flagship, public, academic health institution in Tennessee. Founded in 1911, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Sciences is to improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans and the global community by fostering collaborative education, research, scientific discovery, clinical care, and public service. Employing more than 4,600 people on its faculty, staff, and not-for-profit corporation faculty practice groups, and with more than 3,200 students across the state, UT Health Sciences contributes $4 billion to the economy of Tennessee.

Part of the University of Tennessee System, the Health Sciences is headquartered in Memphis and includes all six of UT's doctoral-degree-granting health science colleges -- Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Graduate Health Sciences, and Health Professions. UT Health Sciences spans the state with its four major, regional clinical health science locations in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, as well as more than 100 clinical education sites across Tennessee. UT Health Sciences is the largest educator of health care professionals in the state and operates the state's largest residency and fellowship advanced training programs. 

Located in West Tennessee on the banks of the Mississippi River, Memphis is the second-largest city in the state and among the largest cities in the Southeast. The Greater Memphis metropolitan area has more than 1.3 million residents, and the city ranks among those with the lowest cost of living in the country. It is home to a vibrant restaurant scene, a revitalized Downtown, the Midtown Arts District, many scenic neighborhoods, an active medical district, and a burgeoning airport in the midst of a $214 million modernization. 

Memphis boasts attractions, including Elvis Presley's Graceland, the Memphis Grizzlies, historic Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, the second-largest urban county park in the United States, and the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.

• Provide Mentor predoctoral and/or graduate students in developing feasible research questions, study designs, and project timelines.
• Provide hands-on guidance in research methods relevant to biomedical and oral health sciences (e.g., experimental design, data management, literature review, and interpretation. 
• Support students in the responsible conduct of research, including research ethics and compliance expectations. 
• Coordinate student research experiences in collaboration with departmental and college leadership, including helping match students with research mentors and projects. 
• Develop and deliver workshops or structured programming on research fundamentals (e.g., hypothesis generation, IRB/IACUC processes, basic statistics concepts, scientific writing, poster presentation).
• Coach students through scholarly dissemination (abstracts, posters, presentations, manuscripts) and support participation in local/national meetings. 
• Teach in the predoctoral and/or graduate curriculum within the biomedical sciences and/or dental curriculum, as assigned by the department and college. 
• Contribute to instruction that strengthens students' research literacy and critical thinking (e.g., evidence-based practice, scientific reasoning, research methodology, literature appraisal). 
• Maintain an active research program aligned with departmental strengths in biomedical sciences and oral health-related discovery.
• Pursue extramural funding as appropriate to faculty rank and track; contribute to team science and interdisciplinary collaborations. 
• Participate in departmental, college, and university service activities, including committees related to research training, student scholarship, curriculum, and program evaluation.