Research Assistant Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Description
The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII) is seeking highly qualified research faculty candidates at any rank in the areas of industrial and systems engineering. The successful candidate will contribute to an interdisciplinary collaboration focused on building construction to improve affordability, productivity, energy efficiency, and resilience. The candidate will be part of the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute's Advanced Manufacturing for Affordable Building Construction Convergent Research Initiative (Buildings CRI). Potential research interests include, but are not limited to:

1. Develop processes to maximize on-site industrial safety and compliance in a dynamic construction environment containing autonomous and human entities working together.
2. Integrate novel physical or non-physical AI systems that collaborate with humans on construction projects to optimize productivity, energy efficiency, affordability, adaptability, and resilience.
3. Leveraging digital twins and Industry 4.0 and 5.0 principles to optimize collaboration between human and AI systems for industrialized home manufacturing.

This position will be associated with the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute's Advanced Manufacturing for Affordable Building Construction Convergent Research Initiative (Buildings CRI), a collaboration between Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee. The Buildings CRI aims to transform the building industry through cutting-edge research in robotics, automation, advanced materials, and streamlined construction processes. At full strength, the Buildings CRI will recruit ~20 new investigators at ORNL and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). The Buildings CRI supports its interdisciplinary researchers by offering networking opportunities with fellow researchers and construction-sector stakeholders, facilitating collaborative experiments and proposal development, providing mentorship from senior CRI researchers, and offering tailored professional development.
Roles and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program with interdisciplinary connections across the CRI network at UT and ORNL.
• Contribute building and construction expertise to collaborative studies on the transition of the building construction industry.
• Interface with UT-ORII programs to support the UT-ORII Buildings CRI's mission and goals.
• Build partnerships and collaborations through the Office of Research Innovation and Economic Development (ORIED), Institute for Energy and Environment (IEE) gateway, Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment, the Tickle College of Engineering, the School of Architecture, the UT Institute of Agriculture, and current and future partners.

As a UT-ORII research faculty member, the successful candidate will collaborate with designated UT departments and researchers, as well as ORNL researchers, to address current and future affordability, productivity, energy efficiency, and resilience requirements for buildings. This includes conducting research, preparing and submitting proposals, supporting existing research projects, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.
Qualifications

• PhD or terminal degree in Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architectural Engineering, or a related field.
• A track record of publishing and seeking funding.
• Collaborative research experience in areas supporting UT-ORII's Buildings CRI mission. Demonstrated research track record supporting the candidate's potential to establish a nationally and internationally recognized research program aligned with UT-ORII's mission and goals.
• A clear path to independence as a researcher is desired, though collaboration with more senior investigators is also encouraged.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• This position requires the ability to obtain a site-access badge for Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Additional Information

• This is a 12-month, non-tenure track position.
• The appointment will be with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
• The primary work location for this position is on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville and may include visits to collaborator sites at ORNL and UTK.
• The position will be implemented as an initial three-year contract with full salary support for the first year, followed by a gradual increase in expected external salary funding in subsequent years.
• The applicant will be expected to recruit graduate students by year three.

A competitive startup package, including funds for graduate students and equipment, will be offered.

• Salary and title/rank will be determined commensurate with experience.
• Benefits will be consistent with those of exempt employees at the University of Tennessee.
• The candidate must be eligible for initial clearance at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Application Instructions
Application materials must be submitted to Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/178930. Application reviews will begin on 1/5/2026 and will continue until the position is filled.
Applications must include:

• a letter of interest
• a comprehensive curriculum vitae
• research plan
• 3 Professional References including names, addresses, and telephone numbers

More About UT-ORII
The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute was launched by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2021, in response to America's need for a stronger pool of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and increasingly life science talent.
UT-ORII is leveraging UT and ORNL's best capabilities and resources to accelerate collaborative discovery, innovation, and interdisciplinary graduate education; and to prepare the next generation of talent in areas of critical importance to the nation and the State of Tennessee. The institute's current research areas include Clean Manufacturing and Advanced Materials, Energy Storage and Transportation, Radiopharmaceutical Therapies, Circular Bioeconomy Systems, and Advanced Manufacturing for Affordable Building Construction. To learn more about UT-ORII, visit utorii.com.
More About UT Knoxville
UT Knoxville, which includes the UT Space Institute and the UT Institute of Agriculture, serves the state by educating its citizens, enhancing its culture, and making a difference in people's lives through research and service. It embodies excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement. To learn more about UT Knoxville, visit UTK.edu.
More About ORNL
Leveraging the talents of its world-class researchers and exceptional support staff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory is helping solve critical scientific and technical challenges and, in so doing, creating economic opportunity for the nation.
ORNL provides access to unique facilities, laboratories, and equipment, drawing thousands of visiting researchers each year. To learn more about ORNL, visit https://www.ornl.gov.
For questions, please contact Prof. Beau Schelble (bschelbl@utk.edu) or Prof. Mingzhou Jin (jin@utk.edu).