Assistant Professor of Plant Ecology, Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga:
College of Arts & Sciences:
Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science Location

Chattanooga, TN

Aug 27, 2026

The Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science (BGE) at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) in the College of Arts and Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Plant Ecology beginning August 1, 2027. We seek candidates with research and teaching focused in any area of plant ecology.

Requirements for the position include:

• Ph.D. focused in plant ecology, botany, plant conservation, or related field [individuals who are all but dissertation (ABD) will be considered; however, the degree must be awarded prior to the start date;
• Ability to teach from the freshman undergraduate level through the Master’s level in ecology, plant ecology (lecture and laboratory), plant conservation, and general botany, as well as undergraduate courses in introductory biology, environmental science, and courses in areas of specialization;
• Ability to establish an independent research program in plant ecology or plant conservation involving undergraduate and graduate students;
• Ability to work collegially with students, fellow faculty, staff, and community partners; and
• Ability to utilize high-impact practices in teaching and student engagement from the undergraduate to the graduate level

The successful candidate’s application will also provide evidence of the following preferred qualifications:

• Research, teaching, and mentoring experience in field-based plant ecology, plant conservation, plant (eco-)physiology, habitat or species restoration, biodiversity conservation, and potentially incorporate other expertise areas, e.g., remote sensing and GIS (Geographic Information Systems), conservation/education outreach, molecular methods, or statistical programming languages (e.g. R, Python);
• Contribute to UTC's undergraduate and graduate biology, geology, and environmental science students through research and teaching focused on contemporary environmental challenges;
• Creatively seek a wide range of external funding opportunities to support independent research or UTC undergraduate and graduate students in the candidate’s field; and
• Provide university, community, and professional service, including collaborations with community partners.

BGE has 35 full-time faculty with more than 850 majors distributed between BS Biology, BS Geology, BS Environmental Science, and MS Environmental Science degrees. BGE has an interdisciplinary MS graduate program with 30-40 students per year.

UTC is in the heart of Tennessee’s fourth-largest city, lies along the dam-controlled Tennessee River in the southern Appalachian fold-and-thrust belt, adjacent to the Cumberland Plateau and within view of the Blue Ridge. Its climate, geography, hydrology, and history contribute to its geologic complexities and rich biodiversity. UTC's proximity to numerous public and private natural areas within the biologically diverse southern Appalachian region provides exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary, field-based research involving undergraduate and graduate students.

Raccoon Mountain Caverns, a 5.5-mile-long limestone cave located just a 15-minute drive from UTC’s campus, was recently donated to UTC and BGE manages the caverns access and use for teaching and conducting research.

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is the second-largest campus in the University of Tennessee System and serves a diverse student body of more than 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students through six academic colleges. Since its founding as Chattanooga University in 1886, UTC has established a reputation for excellence built on a…