What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant/Associate Professor in Analytical Geochemistry, Fall 2026 position at Inside Higher Ed?
Location:
UTK
Open Date
Jan 20, 2026
Description
The Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for a faculty position in Analytical Geochemistry. The position is for a full-time, tenure-line appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor level that will preferably begin on 1 August 2026.
The selected candidate will develop a highly published and externally funded research program in analytical geochemistry, including isotopes and trace elements, and that includes supervision of undergraduate and graduate students, and laboratory technical staff. The candidate will provide primary oversight of a newly established ICP-MS laboratory facility, which includes new multi-collector and quadrupole ICP-MS instruments (ThermoFisher Neoma and iCAP TQ) and a laser ablation system (ESI NWR193) housed in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences. The candidate is additionally expected to perform rank-appropriate departmental and university service and teach introductory courses as well as undergraduate courses and graduate courses in the candidate's specialization. We seek to hire a geoscientist whose expertise complements existing strengths of the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, including planetary geoscience, cosmochemistry, igneous petrology, structural geology, economic geology, earth history, environmental science, and hydrology.
The University is beginning a next-level initiative aimed both at substantially elevating the University’s national reputation for impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity and at assembling a roster of faculty committed to delivering one of the nation's best educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.
Knoxville is in the foothills of the Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains, with outstanding natural teaching laboratories and recreation destinations. In addition to mountains, East Tennessee has abundant inland waterways and pristine state and national parks. Knoxville is a thriving city filled with indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, restaurants, shops, and cultural offerings. The city has a blend of convenient urban and rural living settings.
Qualifications
Required: Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) degree in geoscience or a related discipline by the time of appointment. Candidates for Associate Professor must have a background consistent with tenure in EEPS. The successful candidate must have a record of publications in geochemistry and the capability to run and maintain multi-collector and quadrupole ICP-MS instruments, a laser-ablation system, and a laboratory that generates precise geochemical and isotopic data.
Preferred: Candidates should demonstrate a record of achievement or the potential for excellence commensurate for the rank to which they are applying (Assistant vs. Associate Professor). Post-Ph.D. research experience is beneficial. Research themes centered on isotopic geochemistry and/or analytical geochemistry (mass spectrometry) are desired. Achievement will be assessed according to publication productivity, presentations, and success generating competitive support (e.g., grants, fellowships, contracts). Candidates for Assistant Professor must demonstrate potential for success in these areas, while candidates for Associate Professor must have an established record of peer-reviewed publication and competitive funding. Excellence in teaching will be demonstrated through a record of prior formal or informal teaching and outreach. Successful mentoring of students, teaching experience as an instructor of record, and participation in service roles will be beneficial. Candidates for Assistant Professor must demonstrate potential for success in these areas, while candidates for Associate Professor must have an established record of teaching excellence and a strong record of service. UTK is a land-grant university that values engaged forms of research/scholarship/creative activity, teaching, and service. Preference will be given to candidates with experience operating the established ICP-MS instruments and/or managing a geochemistry analytical facility.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit: (1) cover letter articulating the applicant’s interest in and qualifications for this position, (2) full curriculum vitae, (3) no more than two-page statement that describes research experience, interests, and plans, (4) no more than two-page statement that describes teaching experience, interests, and plans, and (5) names and contact information for at least three professional references via apply.interfolio.com/180318 . In addition to addressing qualifications for the position, candidates may describe how they would help promote students’ access to and engagement in their teaching and research/scholarship/creative activities. Formal review of Applications will begin on March 2, 2026 and remain open until filled. Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Molly McCanta (mmccanta@utk.edu).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
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 accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 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 and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.
UTK
Open Date
Jan 20, 2026
Description
The Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for a faculty position in Analytical Geochemistry. The position is for a full-time, tenure-line appointment at the Assistant or Associate Professor level that will preferably begin on 1 August 2026.
The selected candidate will develop a highly published and externally funded research program in analytical geochemistry, including isotopes and trace elements, and that includes supervision of undergraduate and graduate students, and laboratory technical staff. The candidate will provide primary oversight of a newly established ICP-MS laboratory facility, which includes new multi-collector and quadrupole ICP-MS instruments (ThermoFisher Neoma and iCAP TQ) and a laser ablation system (ESI NWR193) housed in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences. The candidate is additionally expected to perform rank-appropriate departmental and university service and teach introductory courses as well as undergraduate courses and graduate courses in the candidate's specialization. We seek to hire a geoscientist whose expertise complements existing strengths of the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences, including planetary geoscience, cosmochemistry, igneous petrology, structural geology, economic geology, earth history, environmental science, and hydrology.
The University is beginning a next-level initiative aimed both at substantially elevating the University’s national reputation for impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity and at assembling a roster of faculty committed to delivering one of the nation's best educational experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.
Knoxville is in the foothills of the Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains, with outstanding natural teaching laboratories and recreation destinations. In addition to mountains, East Tennessee has abundant inland waterways and pristine state and national parks. Knoxville is a thriving city filled with indoor and outdoor entertainment venues, restaurants, shops, and cultural offerings. The city has a blend of convenient urban and rural living settings.
Qualifications
Required: Applicants must hold a Ph.D. (or equivalent) degree in geoscience or a related discipline by the time of appointment. Candidates for Associate Professor must have a background consistent with tenure in EEPS. The successful candidate must have a record of publications in geochemistry and the capability to run and maintain multi-collector and quadrupole ICP-MS instruments, a laser-ablation system, and a laboratory that generates precise geochemical and isotopic data.
Preferred: Candidates should demonstrate a record of achievement or the potential for excellence commensurate for the rank to which they are applying (Assistant vs. Associate Professor). Post-Ph.D. research experience is beneficial. Research themes centered on isotopic geochemistry and/or analytical geochemistry (mass spectrometry) are desired. Achievement will be assessed according to publication productivity, presentations, and success generating competitive support (e.g., grants, fellowships, contracts). Candidates for Assistant Professor must demonstrate potential for success in these areas, while candidates for Associate Professor must have an established record of peer-reviewed publication and competitive funding. Excellence in teaching will be demonstrated through a record of prior formal or informal teaching and outreach. Successful mentoring of students, teaching experience as an instructor of record, and participation in service roles will be beneficial. Candidates for Assistant Professor must demonstrate potential for success in these areas, while candidates for Associate Professor must have an established record of teaching excellence and a strong record of service. UTK is a land-grant university that values engaged forms of research/scholarship/creative activity, teaching, and service. Preference will be given to candidates with experience operating the established ICP-MS instruments and/or managing a geochemistry analytical facility.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit: (1) cover letter articulating the applicant’s interest in and qualifications for this position, (2) full curriculum vitae, (3) no more than two-page statement that describes research experience, interests, and plans, (4) no more than two-page statement that describes teaching experience, interests, and plans, and (5) names and contact information for at least three professional references via apply.interfolio.com/180318 . In addition to addressing qualifications for the position, candidates may describe how they would help promote students’ access to and engagement in their teaching and research/scholarship/creative activities. Formal review of Applications will begin on March 2, 2026 and remain open until filled. Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Molly McCanta (mmccanta@utk.edu).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
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 accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 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 and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.