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Research Assistant Professor Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Ttusports

Assistant Professor

Cookeville, TN · On-site

$65 - $85/hr

Full-time,tenure-track position at the Assistant Professor rank starting in August 2027. All areas ... Research leading to high-quality refereed publications is required. Engagement with the business ...

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University of Memphis

Assistant Professor

Memphis, TN · On-site

We welcome entry-level or junior lateral candidates seeking tenure-track or teaching-professor ... The University of Memphis is a leading, student-centered, urban public R1 research institution.

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Research Assistant Professor information

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$30K

$83.7K

$156.6K

How much do research assistant professor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for research assistant professor in Tennessee is $83,675.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,100.00 and $98,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research assistant professor?

A Research Assistant Professor is an academic professional who primarily focuses on conducting research rather than teaching. They usually hold a doctoral degree and work on specific research projects, often funded by grants. Unlike tenure-track professors, Research Assistant Professors are typically on non-tenure-track appointments. Their responsibilities may include designing experiments, publishing scholarly articles, and mentoring graduate students. These positions are often temporary and can serve as a stepping stone to more permanent academic roles.

What is a research assistant professor?

A research assistant professor works in academia as a non-tenure track faculty member in a specified department. This role is somewhat different from an associate professor or an adjunct professor because it is often the first step for a recent Ph.D. graduate and is typically a temporary position within the college or university. In this career, you may work under a fellowship that allows the university funds to pay you for a specified period, as long as you complete research that is under the guidelines of that fellowship. Your additional responsibilities as a research assistant professor may include teaching, student advisement, participation in faculty meetings and votes, and more. However, not all of these roles require you to be an instructor. Some stick to strictly research duties.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research assistant professor?

To thrive as a Research Assistant Professor, you need advanced expertise in your academic field, a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent), and a strong record of research publications. Familiarity with specialized research software, laboratory equipment, grant-writing processes, and data analysis tools is typically necessary. Strong written and verbal communication, collaboration, and project management skills distinguish high performers in this role. These qualifications are crucial for producing impactful research, securing funding, and contributing to the academic community.

What are some typical challenges faced by research assistant professors when balancing research and teaching responsibilities?

Research Assistant Professors often encounter challenges in managing their time between research projects and teaching duties. While the primary focus of the role is usually on conducting original research and securing funding, they may also be expected to mentor students, assist with departmental tasks, or occasionally teach courses. Navigating grant deadlines, publishing requirements, and student supervision can make effective time management crucial. Open communication with department leadership and collaborators can help clarify expectations and create a manageable workload.

What is the difference between Research Assistant Professor vs Research Scientist?

AspectResearch Assistant ProfessorResearch Scientist
Required credentialsDoctoral degree (Ph.D.) often requiredMaster's or Ph.D., depending on field
Work environmentAcademic institutions, research labsIndustry, corporate research labs, academia
Employer and industry usageUniversities, research institutesBiotech, pharma, tech companies
Common search intentAcademic research roles, faculty pathwaysIndustry research roles, R&D positions

Research Assistant Professors typically work in academic settings, focusing on research and publishing, often with a pathway toward tenure. Research Scientists are more industry-focused, working in corporate labs or biotech firms, emphasizing product development and applied research. While both roles require advanced degrees, their work environments and career paths differ significantly.

More about Research Assistant Professor jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Professor jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Research Professor jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Research Assistant Professor jobs in Tennessee?

For Research Assistant Professor jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Research Assistant Professor jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Assistant Professor jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Research Assistant Professor jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Research Assistant Professor job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Research Assistant Professor jobs in TN?

For Research Assistant Professor jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Research Assistant Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Assistant Professor job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,675 per year, or $40.2 per hour.

Research Assistant/Associate Professor

University of Memphis

Memphis, TN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

University Of Memphis rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

35th of 628 rated colleges and universities

Job description

The Center for Research in Educational Policy (CREP) at the UofM is seeking a Research Assistant or Associate Professor to join our team. This is a 12-month, non-tenure track position focused exclusively on research and does not include classroom teaching responsibilities. 

This is a grant-funded position. This appointment is contingent upon the continued availability of grant funds and could be terminated if grant funding is lost. This appointment is made subject to the laws of the State of Tennessee and the policies and requirements of the University of Memphis.

CREP is not currently offering any sponsorships for this position.

At the Assistant Professor level:

Required:

  • Earned doctoral degree in social science or research-focused field
  • At least one year of relevant postdoctoral or professional experience
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Strong project management skills
  • Strong evaluation skills

Desired:

  • Experience applying for and securing grant funding
  • Experience conducting rigorous research: Design studies, collect and analyze data (qualitative and/or quantitative), interpret results, prepare reports/manuscripts
  • Experience working with, or in, K-12 educational settings
  • Evidence of grant management, and execution of sponsored evaluation and research
  • Evidence of publications and conference presentations

At the Associate Professor level: 

Required:

  • Earned doctoral degree in social science or research-focused field
  • At least five years of relevant postdoctoral or professional experience
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Strong project management skills
  • Strong evaluation skills
  • Experience applying for and securing grant funding
  • Experience conducting rigorous research: Design studies, collect and analyze data (qualitative and/or quantitative), interpret results, prepare reports/manuscripts
  • Evidence of grant management, and execution of sponsored evaluation and research
  • Evidence of publications and conference presentations

Desired:

  • Experience working with, or in, K-12 educational settings

Research faculty contribute to the overall vision, mission, and direction of the Center; serve as a subject-matter expert in one or more areas related to K-12 educational research or policy; actively pursue and develop research collaborations both on and off campus; seek and secure external grant and funding opportunities; collaborate on proposal writing teams; help develop budgets for proposals; design and lead major sponsored evaluation and research projects; serve as a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator in partnerships within and beyond the University; guide instrument development and data collection activities; conduct both quantitative and qualitative data analyses; supervise and mentor research staff and graduate assistants; present findings to funders and project partners; disseminate findings through conferences and peer-reviewed publications; represent CREP and the University of Memphis in collaborations with partners at all levels, both internal and external; and participate in quality control processes for all Center initiatives.

Applicants should have a strong record of success in funded research, excellent communication and teamwork skills, and a demonstrated commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. Some university-sponsored travel will be required for assigned projects. Additional information about CREP can be found at https://www.memphis.edu/crep/

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