The University of Tennessee College of Social Work (UTCSW) invites applications for an assistant or associate professor in social work in any areas of social work practice and research. We seek candidates with an independent trajectory of research who can also build on and/or collaborate with current faculty’s areas of research strength and contribute to our broadening interdisciplinary and community-based research partnerships. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong program of scholarship and potential for extramural funding at the Assistant Professor level, or an established record of scholarship and externally funded research appropriate for appointment at the Associate Professor level. Further, the successful candidate will contribute to the highest-quality graduate and undergraduate social work education, have the ability to promote an atmosphere where all members of the university community feel welcome and can thrive. We are open to all research areas but have special interest in research related to health and well-being, use of artificial intelligence and computing for the social good, and community-engaged research that focuses on local community conditions. All applicants who apply by the priority deadline will be considered.
Candidates for this position must have earned their Ph.D. in social work or a related health, social, or behavioral science field, including public health and public policy. Current doctoral students who are ABD and will finish their dissertation by July 31, 2027 are also invited to apply. The positions will be located on the Knoxville campus. The start date will be August 1, 2027.
The University and the College of Social Work
The University of Tennessee Knoxville is a land-grant, flagship research institution, that imagines “a world enriched by our ideas, improved through action, and inspired by the Volunteer Spirit of service and leadership.” (https://chancellor.utk.edu/vision/). The university is currently in the midst of unprecedented growth in enrollment, with approximately 40,000 enrolled students. The University is a Carnegie Foundation Research (R1) University with the designation of highest research activity and has achieved a Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement. UTK offers a competitive benefits package, and 9-month tenure-track faculty are eligible for additional summer salary.
The University of Tennessee Knoxville College of Social Work has almost 1,000 students enrolled in undergraduate, MSW, DSW, and PhD programs in Knoxville, Nashville, and online. The College is preparing highly skilled and culturally sensitive social workers to address areas of need across the state, the country, and the globe. The College is home to four research centers and several faculty research labs. College faculty conduct interdisciplinary research addressing pressing social, behavioral, and health challenges across the lifespan and at individual, family, community, and systems levels.
The UTCSW is committed to the success of our tenure-track faculty. We offer a strong mentoring program, manageable teaching load, competitive start-up funds, pre-tenure teaching releases, and additional opportunities for internal research funding. The university also offers structural supports for teaching and research innovation.
Campus Location
The City of Knoxville is a hidden gem, located in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. Knoxville has a beautiful and walkable downtown, a diverse music scene, active neighborhoods, unique restaurants, outstanding athletic opportunities, and a robust offering of outdoor and cultural activities. Knoxville enjoys the charm of a small city with activities that range from green energy initiatives and community greenways to thriving festival culture, music, culinary, and outdoor recreation scenes. Knoxville’s community brings events such as the Asian Festival, Knoxville Opera’s Rossini Festival, Kuumba Festival, Hola Festival, Dogwood Arts Festival to name a few. The city is also home to the Knoxville Museum of Art, the Beck Cultural Center, Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, the Frank H. McClung Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Appalachia is a short drive from Knoxville. Citing affordability and quality of life, U.S. News and World Report ranks Knoxville among the best places to live.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- A Ph.D. in Social Work or a related field (ABD’s considered, if the dissertation is expected to be completed by July 31, 2026)
- Assistant Professor
- Evidence of a research agenda with potential for external funding
- A record of high-quality scholarship evidenced in peer-reviewed publications and/or strong potential for policy and public impact
- Evidence of effective teaching at a university level
- Evidence of commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive climate in classroom and research settings, in alignment with CSWE accreditation standards
- Associate Professor
- All of the above, and
- A demonstrated record of pursuing/securing external funding appropriate to the candidate’s area of scholarship
- A strong, well-established, and continuous record of scholarship and peer-reviewed publications and/or demonstration of policy and public impact
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in social work
- Two years post MSW practice experience
- Specific research interests that overlap with one or more of our current faculty
- Commitment to interdisciplinary research and collaboration
- Evidence of high-quality teaching experience such as course development, innovations in teaching, or end of course evaluations
- Experience teaching courses across programs (e.g., undergrad, masters) and modalities (e.g., online, in person)
- Experience working in team-based research groups
Application Instructions
Interested individuals should provide: (1) a cover letter addressing research, teaching, and practice experience as well as experience relevant to each required and preferred qualification, (2) curriculum vitae, (3) a writing sample (preferably a published article), and (4) contact information for three professional references. In your letter, pay specific attention to your experiences that are not easily found on your CV. Priority consideration will be given to applications submitted by September 30, 2026, though review may continue until an appointment is made. Materials should be submitted electronically to https://apply.interfolio.com/192481. Inquiries may be addressed to the search committee chair, Dr. Bridget Freisthler at bfreisth@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.
