Lecturer/Teaching Assistant Professor - Plant Sciences

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Life insurance

Retirement plans

Job summary

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, invites applications for a Lecturer or Teaching Assistant Professor in Plant Sciences to support online delivery of the undergraduate program. The role involves teaching, mentoring, and collaborating with the Office of Digital Learning to enhance online courses.

Candidates should hold a master's degree (Lecturer) or Ph.D./terminal degree (Teaching Assistant Professor) in Plant Sciences or related field, with strong communication skills and IT integration

Qualifications

• Master's degree required by time of hire for Lecturer.
• Ph.D. or terminal degree required by time of hire for Teaching Assistant Professor.
• Strong communication and the ability to integrate information technology into course delivery.

Responsibilities

• Teach up to 12 credit hours per semester within the PLSC undergraduate curriculum.
• Promote and advance the PLSC program through online programming, enrollment, and visibility.
• Support development and modernization of departmental curriculum, including the online minor.

Skills

Strong communication

Educational technology integration

Online teaching

Collaborative work

Education

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

Ph.D. or terminal degree in Plant Sciences/Horticulture or related field

Tools

Canvas

Job description

Lecturer/Teaching Assistant Professor - Plant Sciences

Location: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee

Open Date: Jul 27, 2026

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.
• Record online lectures in collaboration with UTK Learning Digital Studio (https://digitallearning.utk.edu/support/faculty-support/media-studio/).

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation is competitive and will be based on experience and qualifications.

The University of Tennessee offers a comprehensive benefits package to all regular employees, including health and dental insurance, life insurance and multiple retirement plans. Additional information can be found at https://tennessee.edu/about/divisions/finance-admin/hr/payroll-benefits-retirement/.

• health and dental insurance
• life insurance
• multiple retirement plans

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.

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 [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 to [e-mail], or by phone at 865-974-0717.