Department Head, Chemistry

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is seeking a full-time head to lead the Department of Chemistry. The department head is responsible for leadership of all departmental programs and administrative responsibility for planning, fiscal management, human resources and facilities. The department head reports to the Dean of the College of Arts and Science. The head articulates and promotes the department’s vision to provide high quality, relevant education and training for undergraduate and graduate students. The successful candidate is expected to effectively advocate for the department to external constituencies and the administration within the university; recruit, motivate and strengthen faculty, staff and students; foster an environment of collegiality, teamwork, diversity and respect for multicultural and multidisciplinary settings; interact with faculty, students, stakeholders to determine direction and priorities; cultivate externally sponsored opportunities to support our programs; increase national recognition and program ranking. The Department of Chemistry is comprised of 25 tenure and tenure-track faculty members, who conduct research in diverse areas of chemistry, including analytical, physical, inorganic, organic, and polymer chemistry.  Approximately 130 graduate students are enrolled in the department’s MS and PhD programs. The department also includes seven lecturers and 32 research staff.

The position has an anticipated start date of August 1, 2020. Successful candidates are expected to maintain an active research program which will be supported by state-of-the-art research facilities, expert administrative staff, and scientific specialists. Candidates who have the ability to contribute in meaningful ways to the diversity and intercultural goals of the University are especially encouraged to apply. UT chemistry faculty have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers and benefit from unique facilities both on campus and at nearby Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). These include the Joint Institute for Advanced Materials, Spallation Neutron Source, Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, and other UT-ORNL Joint Institutes (https://research.utk.edu/centers/).

Required qualifications include a PhD and postdoctoral experience in the area of chemistry or a closely related field, evidence of scientific productivity, demonstrated leadership abilities in managing personnel, budgets and administrative duties. The successful candidate should meet qualifications for tenure and appointment at the rank of full professor, as outlined in our bylaws (https://chem.utk.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Bylaws.pdf).

Interested candidates should send their applications consisting of cover letter, resume, a three-page description of research program, a leadership statement (limited to 2 pages) and a description of his/her vision for the department, as well as names and contact information for three references to: UTKChemHead@ion.chem.utk.edu. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2019 and will continue until the position is filled.

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. 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. 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 Equity and Diversity, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, telephone 865-974-2498. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the Office of Equity and Diversity.