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Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Department of Food Science: UTIA

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Knoxville, TN, USA
Posted on Nov 19, 2025

A postdoctoral research associate position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Qixin Zhong at Department of Food Science, the University of Tennessee (UT) Knoxville. The postdoctoral research associate is expected to focus on interdisciplinary research projects to improve the functionalities of food biopolymers by engineering their multi-length scale structures. The candidate is expected to conduct research projects of mutual interest, prepare reports to funding agencies, publish peer-reviewed articles, assist PI in preparing grants, and mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers, where appropriate. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.


The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!

The postdoctoral research associate is expected to focus on interdisciplinary research projects to improve the functionalities of food biopolymers by engineering their multi-length scale structures.

Applicants are expected to have earned a Ph.D. in food science or a related field by the time of employment. Applicants shall have research experience in the above areas, as demonstrated through research publications in high impact journals. Additionally, applicants must have excellent written and oral communications skills in English and be able to work in an interdisciplinary research environment.

Required Qualifications:

  • Education: PhD in food science or a related field

  • Experience: food biopolymer research experience

  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: Abilities to design experiments, analyze the structure and properties of biopolymers, and synthesize data for scientific presentations; work well in interdisciplinary teams; excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Education: PhD with dissertation research in biopolymers

  • Experience: research experience with minimal supervision, publications in premier food biopolymer journals and scientific conferences, supervision of students, and drafting grant applications

  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: theoretical knowledge of food biopolymers

Work Location

  • Location: Knoxville, TN
  • Onsite

Benefits:

  • Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division:

The Department of Food Science resides within the UTIA and adheres to the three-pronged mission of land grant universities by providing quality research, teaching and Extension, including outreach, to the citizens of Tennessee and elsewhere. The mission of the Department is “to address global problems in food safety, quality and health through fundamental and applied research, prepare graduates for the global food industry or health professional programs, and deliver effective outreach education to the citizens of Tennessee and beyond.” The Department offers BS, MS, and PhD degrees. The Department currently has 15 full-time faculty members with expertise in diverse areas of food chemistry, food microbiology, food processing and engineering, and food sensory science. The successful candidate will have access to ten research and education centers located across the state and will have opportunities for collaboration within the Department and across UTIA and UTK and play an important role in the direction of growth of the Department. For more information about the Department, visit our web site at: http://foodscience.tennessee.edu/.


The candidate is expected to conduct research projects of mutual interest, prepare reports to funding agencies, publish peer-reviewed articles, assist PI in preparing grants, and mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers, where appropriate.