The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) seeks dynamic, collaborative, and innovative non-tenure track faculty members to create and provide instruction in a fully online program in Data Science and Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI). CECS has multiple positions open for non-tenure track, twelve-month appointments, to begin as soon as possible. Consistent with the mission of the University, the selected candidates will be responsible for teaching and service. Teaching assignments within the college will be made by the dean according to the demands of enrollment and scheduling. The primary teaching responsibilities will include the development and instruction in online asynchronous courses in undergraduate applied AI and Data Science courses.

• Applied Artificial Intelligence Courses: natural language processing, human-AI interaction, AI ethics and legal frameworks, conversational AI, AI-based data handling, and visualization. Large Language Models (LLMs) and their APIs (such as OpenAI), machine learning, deep learning, AI ethics, developing AI applications, and AI-driven decision-making systems
• Data Science Courses: data knowledge and discovery, data stewardship and ethics, analytical methods, data management and visualization, advanced data science, data wrangling, and visual analytics.

Service to the College is expected and will be assigned by the dean. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong interest and ability in teaching across CECS graduate and undergraduate degrees, certificates, and minors. There is an option for this position to be fully remote.

About the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is the state?s flagship research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates, and a premier graduate institution. As a land-grant university, it is committed to excellence in learning, scholarship, and engagement with society. UTK is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, a thriving community located in close proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

About the College:

The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies (CECS) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is at the forefront of changing the future of higher education. It is a first-of-its-kind college created to meet the needs of students seeking a customizable degree path in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and data science that leads to rewarding careers upon graduation. CECS offers timely, innovative, student-centric degrees, minors, and stackable certificates at both undergraduate and graduate levels that address the future talent gap and expose students to experts and disciplines from across campus through a cross-cutting curriculum. CECS utilizes strong industry partnerships to ensure students gain relevant skills and real-world experience, offering for-credit internships and multi-disciplinary projects. CECS emphasizes the cohort experience where students learn and interact with fellow students from across campus and disciplines, allowing them to learn from one another and work together to solve real-world problems.

Who We Are:

We are a small team of energetic, adaptable, and hardworking individuals committed to educational initiatives that will lead to meaningful careers for our students and a positive impact on society. Every member of our team is a valuable collaborator, driven entrepreneur, and proficient multi-tasker dedicated to working together to find innovative approaches to achieving our shared goals. We are fast-moving and growing. Our work is constantly evolving to meet changing needs.

 Who We Are Looking For:

We are searching for a pathfinder, problem navigator, and strategy creator, who proactively works to make us more efficient and effective through teamwork and collaboration. We need an intentional learner with the intellectual resilience to tackle new challenges, welcoming uncertainty with a growth mindset. We need a seasoned professional, who exercises good judgment and can be trusted to provide sound counsel to colleagues and leadership. We need a teammate dedicated to our mission and who shares our values.

The College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies at the University of Tennessee is seeking candidates with a passion for teaching and analysis in a way that connects deeply to collaborative studies.

• Candidates must have a doctoral degree and evidence of expertise in data science, applied artificial intelligence, and other applied computing fields. Preference will be given to candidates with degrees in mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, or related fields.
• Candidates must be able to develop and deliver online undergraduate and executive courses in applied artificial intelligence, data science, analytical methods, data management, handling, and visualization among other topics.
• Higher education teaching experience is required.
• Experience or demonstrated ability in the design and delivery of courses in a variety of formats, including face-to-face, synchronous online, asynchronous online, and hybrid is preferred.
•  Experience with technology-enhanced teaching and knowledge of team-based practices in teaching is expected.
• Successful applicants should have a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and service.
• Significant professional experience is highly desirable.

The compensation for the positions will be commensurate with the experience of the successful candidate. The candidate will be expected to develop and deliver asynchronous online courses as part of the new degree program. Once the degree program has launched, the candidate will teach a 4/3 load of online courses. In addition to teaching responsibilities, the candidates will have service to the College, which may include executive education courses, facilitating industry partnerships, contributing to student success programming, and supporting public engagement.

Priority will be given to applications received on or before April 1, 2025, via our Interfolio application system. http://apply.interfolio.com/164000

Applications must include:

1. a one-page cover letter addressing qualifications and motivation,
2. a teaching statement, including the candidate's background and experience that make them an ideal candidate, please include teaching evaluations if available.
3.  a comprehensive curriculum vitae, and
4. the names and contact information (address, phone number, and e-mail address) for at least three professional references.

Questions about the position should be directed to CECS Assistant Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, Dr. Katie Cahill, email: kcahill3@utk.edu

Positions to be filled as soon as possible.

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 accommodations of a disability should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3560 or eoa@utk.edu or (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 & Resolution 216 Business Incubator Building 2450 EJ. Chapman Drive Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 or (865)974-0717 or investigations@utk.edu.

About University of Tennessee, Knoxville

Our primary mission is to move forward the frontiers of human knowledge and enrich and elevate the citizens of the state of Tennessee, the nation, and the world. As the preeminent research-based, land-grant university in the state, UT embodies the spirit of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement attained by the nation’s finest public research institutions.

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