Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Nuclear Engineering (2 Positions) Position Available In Putnam, Tennessee

Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Nuclear Engineering (2 Positions)
Tennessee Tech University Cookeville, TN Full-time Engineering
Posted on May 26, 2025
Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Nuclear Engineering (2 Positions)

Position Number:

020602

Department:

Nuclear Engineering
Job Purpose
Tennessee Technological University is seeking two open-rank tenure-track or tenured faculty members for the University’s new Nuclear Engineering program. This is a unique and exciting opportunity for dedicated and enthusiastic faculty to establish and grow a new Nuclear Engineering degree program, with the goal of becoming a top-tier Nuclear Engineering department within the next decade.
About the

Nuclear Engineering Program:

Tennessee Tech began offering a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering in the 2024-2025 academic year and has already enrolled ~20 students with over 50 additional students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. A graduate degree program in Nuclear Engineering will be offered soon. The Nuclear Engineering Program is currently housed in the newly renamed Mechanical Engineering Department (which will become the Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Department effective July 1st, 2025); but, the Program is expected to achieve full departmental status based on enrollment and research growth. Backed with over $4M in initial state and federal seed funding, the guiding goal of the new Program is “10 in 10”; that is, to be listed as one of the top ten nuclear engineering programs in the U.S. within ten years.

About Tennessee Tech:

As a comprehensive public university with over 10,000 students, Tennessee Tech is a leading university in the south. As one of the eight schools and colleges at the Tech, the College of Engineering is home to two Research Centers of Excellence (with one substantially supporting college faculty reporting to Vice President for Research), nine undergraduate academic programs, six MS degrees, and a unified Ph.D. degree. The Department of Mechanical (and Nuclear) Engineering is housed within the College and is the largest undergraduate department by enrollment at the University. The College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech is undergoing a major transformation and substantial growth. Over the past 5 years, the College has seen a 14% increase in enrollment, with a ~60% increase in the freshman class during that time. Research has increased from $5.7M in awards in 2019 to $42.7M in 2024. The College just opened the brand-new 100,000 sq.ft. Ashraf Islam Engineering Building serving all disciplines in the College. The 81,000 sq.ft. Advanced Construction & Manufacturing Engineering (ACME) building has been approved by the State of Tennessee, with groundbreaking planned for 2025. The ACME building will house the most Civil Engineering facilities, the Manufacturing Engineering Department and the Center for Manufacturing Research, which is funded at approximately $1.5M per year by the state, in addition to externally funded grants and contracts. ACME will also house a state-of-the art foundry, laser welding, metal additive printers, and numerous other advanced pieces of equipment for use by students and researchers. Other line-item recurring investments in the college or related facilities total approximately $10M, demonstrating the states’ strong support of the College’s mission.
Tennessee Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
Essential Functions
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in nuclear engineering, engage in scholarly activities, develop externally funded research programs, advise undergraduate students, direct research students at the B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. levels, serve on committees, engage in professional and public service. We are seeking qualified candidates in all areas of nuclear engineering, with particular interest in the following areas:

• Reactor physics and nuclear reactor design
• Nuclear reactor thermal hydraulics
• Radiation detection and measurements relevant to nuclear energy
• Nuclear fuel cycle and reprocessing
• Computational methods for nuclear energy system design
• Nuclear materials
  The ideal candidate is one who shares the mission and vision of the Program, Department, College, and University and helps the university grow.

More information about the Nuclear Engineering Program can be found at tntech/engineering/programs/ne/.
Minimum Qualifications
An earned doctorate from an accredited institution in nuclear engineering or a closely related field by the start date of employment. The ability to perform the essential functions of a professor in a new and rapidly growing nuclear engineering department. The ability to communicate effectively and to develop and maintain an effective working relationship with faculty, students, administrators, staff, and the public.
Preferred Qualifications
A doctoral degree in nuclear engineering is preferred. Candidates without a doctorate degree in nuclear engineering will be evaluated based on their experience and their potential to perform the essential functions. Prior teaching and/or post-doctoral experience is beneficial.

Work Hours:

Salary:

Salary and rank commensurate with qualifications and experience. Full-time, nine-month, tenure track or tenured position to begin August 1, 2025.
Benefits Information
The University offers a competitive package. Benefits include the accumulation of one (1) sick leave day per month and thirteen (13) University holidays. Other include medical and life insurance (shared cost with the university), retirement, optional 401k, and educational . Deferred income and over 12 months.
To apply, visit jobs.tntech/postings/18582