Job Description

The Department of Applied Engineering (AppE) in the Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) invites applications for a non-tenure-track, 9-month, Assistant Professor of Practice position in Aerospace Engineering, with emphasis on structural design, testing, simulation, vibration, composite materials, and/or propulsion. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2026, or earlier in the spring 2026 semester (flexible).

UTK is Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, a Carnegie R1 institution, and a leader in engineering education, research, and workforce development. The AppE Department emphasizes practice-based engineering education, strong industry engagement, and experiential learning aligned with ABET-EAC expectations.

Position Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Teach undergraduate aerospace engineering courses, including but not limited to:
• • Aerospace structures and structural design
  • Mechanics of materials for aerospace applications
  • Structural testing and experimentation
  • Finite element analysis and simulation
  • Vibration and dynamics
  • Composite materials and manufacturing
  • Introduction to propulsion systems (as appropriate)
  • Develop and deliver hands-on laboratory experiences and project-based learning modules aligned with industry practices.
• Supervise senior design (capstone) projects, including projects sponsored by industry partners.
• Contribute to the development and operation of aerospace laboratories, including structural testing, vibration, composites, and propulsion-related instructional facilities.
• Engage in industry collaboration, applied research, workforce development, and external partnerships consistent with the mission of a Professor of Practice.
• Participate in service activities at the department, college, and university levels, including curriculum development, ABET accreditation support, and student mentoring.
• Support the growth and continuous improvement of the Aerospace concentration within the Department of Applied Engineering.

About the Department and College

The Tickle College of Engineering (TCE) is in the midst of an unprecedented period of growth and success, including adding over 30 new faculty to the college over 4 years as part of ambitious hiring campaigns led by Chancellor Donde Plowman and Dean Matthew Mench. The college has set records in research expenditures, enrollment, incoming student GPA, intellectual property development, and USNWR rank in the past three years. New facilities include the state-of-the art Zeanah Engineering Complex, the University of Tennessee Manufacturing and Design Enterprise (TN-MADE) facility, and the Innovation South building now under construction that will house UTK’s Fibers and Composites Manufacturing Facility (FCMF).

TCE currently has 203 tenure/tenure track and 79 non-tenure track faculty in its nine academic departments and offers 11 undergraduate, 16 MS, and 15 PhD/DE degree programs. Affiliated with TCE and located in Tullahoma, Tennessee, the UT Space Institute is a hub of aerospace and defense research. The college is also home to eight research centers and three interdisciplinary institutes. With approximately 4,300 undergraduate and 1,500 graduate students, the college sits 29th among public universities in the most recent U.S. News and World Report graduate rankings. Faculty in the college have won 29 early career awards (NSF, DOE, DARPA, AFOSR, and ARO) since 2016. In FY24, the college had annual research expenditures of $113.6M.

The Department of Applied Engineering (AppE) is a newly launched department within TCE, offering practice-focused engineering programs that integrate theory, design, testing, and industry engagement. The Aerospace concentration emphasizes structural integrity, advanced materials, experimental validation, and real-world engineering systems.

Qualifications

Required:

• A Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field from an accredited institution by the start date; exceptional candidates with a master’s degree and significant industry experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated expertise in aerospace structural design, analysis, and/or testing.
• Strong background in one or more of the following areas:
  • Structural testing and instrumentation
  • Finite element modeling and simulation
  • Vibration and dynamics
  • Composite materials and structures
  • Propulsion systems (solid, liquid, or hybrid—analysis or testing emphasis)
  • Commitment to high-quality undergraduate teaching and hands-on, practice-oriented education.
  • Effective written and oral communication skills.

Preferred:

• Significant industry experience in aerospace or related sectors (e.g., aircraft, space systems, defense, advanced manufacturing).
• Professional licensure (PE) or progress toward licensure.
• Experience developing or managing instructional laboratories.
• Experience with industry-sponsored projects, applied research, or workforce development initiatives.
• Familiarity with ABET-EAC accreditation and continuous improvement processes.
• Experience mentoring undergraduate students in design, testing, or research settings.

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit the following materials through Interfolio, https://apply.interfolio.com/179696:

1. Cover letter describing interest in the position and relevant qualifications
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Statement of teaching philosophy and experience
4. Statement describing industry engagement, applied research, or professional practice experience
5. Names and contact information for three professional references

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Questions about the position should be directed to AppE Department Head, Dr. Chulho Yang, email: cyang36@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.