Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Physics and Astronomy - UTK
Content + Source + Freshness • 15 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence
Offer value
Moderate value due to the innovative research opportunities, though performance pressures and high expectations may be challenging for some candidates.
- Cutting-edge research in biophysics with potential impact
- Opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration
- High expectations may challenge some candidates
- Postdoctoral position may lack long-term security
Pros
- Engaging research area with significant potential impact.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities.
- Strong publication prospects within biophysics.
Cons
- High expectations for research output and innovations.
- Potentially high-stress environment due to project demands.
- Postdoctoral position may be temporary without tenure track.
Who it's for
Researcher • On-site
Good fit
- Recent Ph.D. graduates seeking research roles
- Candidates driven by a passion for innovation
- Individuals comfortable in collaborative environments
Not recommended for
- Those averse to high-pressure environments
- Candidates not interested in research
- Individuals preferring non-academic careers
Motivation fit
Key skills
About the job
Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Physics and Astronomy - UTK
Job Description
The Biophysics group at the University of Tennessee is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with a background in physics, engineering, or chemistry who is interested in self-organization phenomena in living systems. This research opportunity focuses on the dynamic assembly of cell division machinery. Applicants with expertise in biophysics theory, computational modeling, AI/ML applications in science, and bacterial cell biology will be given strong consideration. A solid background with a strong publication record in biophysics theory, along with proficiency in coding, is required.
The successful candidate will join a growing interdisciplinary biophysics research group in the Department of Physics & Astronomy. The postdoctoral researcher will lead independent and collaborative projects on the self-organization and regulation of cell division networks, with a particular focus on modeling the dynamics of bacterial division machinery. This position provides opportunities to integrate theory, computation, and machine-learning–based simulations, while collaborating closely with researchers at the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Responsibilities
- Develop and apply theoretical and computational models of cell division.
- Perform large-scale molecular simulations, data analysis, and AI/ML-based model development.
- Collaborate with experimental groups to connect modeling results to biophysical measurements.
- Lead and contribute to publications in peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences.
- Mentor undergraduate students in the group.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Education: Ph.D. in Physics, Biophysics, Computational Chemistry, Engineering, or a closely related field (degree must be conferred by the start date).
- Experience: Demonstrated research experience in theoretical/computational modeling of biological or soft-matter systems.
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Strong coding proficiency (e.g., Python, C++, or Fortran).
- Experience with molecular simulation packages (LAMMPS, GROMACS, or similar).
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Education: Ph.D. with emphasis in Biophysics, Computational Biology, or Soft-Matter Physics.
- Experience:
- Research background in cytoskeletal networks, bacterial cell biology, or self-assembly.
- Experience with AI/ML methods for force-field development or data-driven modeling.
- Prior mentoring of junior researchers.
- Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Familiarity with high-performance computing environments.
- Ability to bridge theory and experiment in interdisciplinary collaborations.
Work Location
- Knoxville, Tennessee (University of Tennessee, Department of Physics & Astronomy).
- Onsite position; limited hybrid flexibility may be considered.
Compensation and Benefits
- Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
- Find more information on UT Benefits here
Application Instructions
For best consideration applicants should submit the below materials before Nov 1st, 2025:
- CV
- List of publications
- Contact information for three professional references
- A cover letter describing research background, interests, and fit for the position
About The Department
The Department has an exemplary research record, with eight professors earning NSF CAREER awards since 2012, eight professors among the world’s top two percent of physicists based on citation count, the award of the prestigious American Physical Society 2021 Bonner Prize, eleven APS Fellows, and four AAAS Fellows. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is Tennessee’s flagship state research institution, a campus of choice for outstanding undergraduates and a premier graduate institution with a number of nationally and internationally ranked programs and with national and international leadership in numerous fields.
About Us
Job Info
- Job Identification 5333
- Job Category Research
- Posting Date 10/03/2025, 05:59 AM
- Job Schedule Full time
- Locations 1331 Circle Park, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US (On-site)
EEO/AA STATEMENT / NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.
Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the (EEO). Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at the EEO office.
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