Lecturer/Teaching Assistant Professor - Plant Sciences

University of Tennessee; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Plant Sciences Department at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville is seeking a Lecturer or Teaching Assistant Professor to deliver online and hybrid undergraduate courses in Plant Sciences. This 9-month appointment emphasizes innovative teaching, student mentoring, and program development.

The successful candidate will teach up to 12 credit hours per semester, collaborate with Office of Digital Learning, and help expand the online minor and degree offerings while engaging with faculty and

Qualifications

• Master's degree required by time of hire for Lecturer; Ph.D. or terminal degree required for TA.
• Experience delivering online or hybrid instruction; ability to design/revise online courses.

Responsibilities

• Teach up to 12 credit hours per semester in the PLSC undergraduate curriculum.
• Promote and expand online programming, enrollment, and visibility of the PLSC program.
• Support development and modernization of department curriculum and online minor.
• Mentor undergraduates and support student development.
• Contribute to development of a nationally recognized Plant Sciences online degree program.

Skills

Strong communication skills

IT in course delivery

Online/hybrid instruction

Canvas LMS

Education

Master's degree in Plant Sciences, Horticulture, or related field

Ph.D. or terminal degree for TA

Tools

Canvas LMS

Job description

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville: UT Institute of Agriculture: Herbert College, AgResearch, Extension: Plant Sciences

Location

University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee

Open Date

Jul 27, 2026

Description

Location

Knoxville, Tennessee, or hybrid/remote. Hybrid-remote employees must be able to travel to Knoxville approximately one to three times per month for activities that may include faculty meetings, committee meetings, recording instructional materials in the Digital Learning Studio, and meetings with the Office of Digital Learning.

Description

The Plant Sciences Department in the Herbert College of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is searching for a Lecturer or Teaching Assistant Professor to fill a 9-month position in the Plant Sciences (PLSC) undergraduate program. The successful candidate will be responsible for working with the PLSC program faculty, department head, and professional advisors to deliver coursework which will primarily complement the online delivery of PLSC undergraduate curriculum. The candidate should be willing to engage in innovative and interdisciplinary teaching and program development.

Primary duties include:

• Teaching up to 12 credit hours per semester within the PLSC undergraduate curriculum.
• Promoting and advancing the PLSC program through activities that strengthen online programming, enrollment, and visibility.
• Supporting the continued development and modernization of departmental curriculum, including the emerging Plant Sciences online minor.
• Mentoring undergraduate students, supporting student enrichment activities, and supporting student professional development.
• Contributing to the development of a nationally recognized Plant Sciences online degree program by participating in professional organizations, contributing to the scholarship of teaching and learning, and incorporating innovative instructional methods, software, and equipment that enhance student learning outcomes.
• Meet regularly with the Office of Digital Learning (https://digitallearning.utk.edu/).
• Act as the main departmental liaison to the Office of Digital Learning and VolsOnline.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE AND THE INSTITUTE OF AGRICULTURE:

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), is the flagship campus of the University of Tennessee System and is classified as a Carnegie R1 (Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity) institution. The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) provides Real. Life. Solutions. through teaching, discovery, and outreach. UTIA is committed to excellence in developing solutions to agricultural, environmental, and natural resource challenges across Tennessee and beyond.

UTIA is located in Knoxville, a vibrant city surrounded by beautiful natural areas including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and offers an excellent quality of life.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A master\'s degree in Plant Sciences, Horticulture, or a closely related field is required by the time of hire for appointment as a Lecturer. A Ph.D. or other terminal degree in Plant Sciences, Horticulture, or a closely related field is required by the time of hire for appointment as a Teaching Assistant Professor.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to integrate information technology into course delivery.

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in online or hybrid instruction or other teaching experience.
• Demonstrated experience developing, designing, or significantly revising online or hybrid courses using evidence-based instructional practices.
• Horticulture or other Plant Sciences related work experience
• Experience with learning management systems (e.g., Canvas)
• Commitment to innovative teaching
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively
• Experience with outreach, recruitment, or initiatives that promote academic programs
• Experience with curriculum development and course assessment

Application Instructions

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 atEqual Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email [e-mail] , 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 [e-mail] , or by phone at 865-974-0717.