Job Description

This position supports the early-stage curriculum and hardware development phase of the project, focused on equipping Tennessee secondary and community college agricultural educators with AI and Precision Agriculture skills and classroom-ready hardware kits. Over an 18-month appointment, the postdoctoral associate will work under the direct mentorship of the PI (Dr. Sathishkumar Samiappan) and in collaboration with Co-PIs in agricultural engineering and agricultural education to design, build, and refine 24 classroom hardware kits (programmable logic controllers, IoT environmental sensors, and computer-vision edge devices) and their associated applied-AI curriculum content, spanning row crops, livestock, controlled environment agriculture, and specialty crops. Depending on timing within the appointment, the postdoc may also help deliver in-person components of the first summer institute, provide technical support to trained educators, and contribute to project publications, conference presentations, and other duties as assigned. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

• Co-design and prototype modular, low-cost hardware kits (sensors, edge-computing/AI devices, basic robotics) for K-14 classroom use
• Develop applied AI and computer vision curriculum content and hands-on lab exercises tied to Tennessee agricultural contexts
• Support development of multimedia instructional resources (demonstration videos, interactive coding notebooks)
• Support delivery of in-person modules of the summer institute for the first educator cohort, as scheduling allows within the appointment
• Provide technical troubleshooting and support to educators deploying hardware kits in their classrooms
• Contribute to project data collection, analysis, and dissemination through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations
• Participate in weekly mentoring meetings with the PI and monthly full-team meetings; develop and maintain an Individual Development Plan (IDP)

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Biosystems/Agricultural Engineering, STEM Education, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated experience in AI/machine learning, computer vision, and/or embedded/edge-computing systems
• Hands-on experience with sensors, microcontrollers, or robotics hardware; strong programming skills (e.g., Python); excellent written and spoken communication skills; ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. with coursework or research emphasis in agricultural technology or precision agriculture
• Prior experience with curriculum development or K-12/community college outreach; experience working with non-technical audiences (e.g., teachers)
• Familiarity with IoT sensor networks, agricultural robotics, or precision agriculture platforms; experience with instructional video/notebook production (e.g., Jupyter); interest or background in science communication and STEM education

Work Location:

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite (hands-on hardware development and in-person summer institute delivery require on-campus presence)

Compensation and Benefits:

• Anticipated hiring range: $60,000 annually (18-month term appointment), with standard UT benefits including health insurance, retirement contributions, and paid leave
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before October 2, 2026.

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Cover Letter

For inquiry about the position, please contact:

Dr. Sathishkumar Samiappan

Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996

Email: sathish@utk.edu (please use subject line “AI in Classroom Postdoc”)

About The College/Department/Division:

Biosystem Engineering and Soil Science is the largest Department in the Herbert College of Agriculture. BESS is comprised of 32 faculty members in three Program areas: Biosystems Engineering, Environmental Science, and Construction Science and Management. Since 2023, BESS has average research funding grants and expenditures of $4M/yr, with an average of 31 funded awards per year. In 2025, BESS faculty produced 75 peer reviewed journal publications, 3 book chapters, and 9 peer-reviewed Extension publications. Current enrollment is approximately 617 undergraduate students, 10 MS students, and 27 PhD students.

Please visit the department website: https://bess.tennessee.edu/

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!