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 that will improve affordability, productivity, energy efficiency, and resilience in building construction. Potential research interests include, but are not limited to:

1.  Develop optimization processes for industrialized mass customization to maximize productivity, affordability, quality, and safety across the construction lifecycle.

2.  Develop and integrate onsite and offsite optimization processes for the high-performance materials, component assembly, and whole building assembly that are being developed under the Buildings CRI. These activities will include robotic and automated manufacturing and automated quality assurance and quality control. 

3.  Develop optimization processes to standardize construction requirements from local and state building codes throughout the U.S. with the end goal of optimizing onsite and offsite construction and industrialized mass customization in close collaboration with researchers from the Buildings CRI.

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 at ORNL and UT, and offering tailored professional development opportunities.

 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.

• PhD or terminal degree in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Systems Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, or 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 be granted a site-access badge for the 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 on the campuses of 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 typical of exempt employees at the University of Tennessee.  
• The candidate must be eligible for initial clearance at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Application materials must be submitted to Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/167724

Application reviews will begin June 1, 2025 and will continue until the position is filled.

 Applications must include: 

(1) a letter of interest

(2) a comprehensive curriculum vitae

(3) research plan

(4) 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. Mingzhou Jin (jin@utk.edu).

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, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Requests for accommodations of a disability should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3560 or eoa@utk.edu or (865)974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation & Resolution 216 Business Incubator Building 2450 EJ. Chapman Drive Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 or (865)974-0717 or investigations@utk.edu.

About University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Our primary mission is to move forward the frontiers of human knowledge and enrich and elevate the citizens of the state of Tennessee, the nation, and the world. As the preeminent research-based, land-grant university in the state, UT embodies the spirit of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement attained by the nation’s finest public research institutions.

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