Research Assistant: Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment - UTK

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Knoxville, TN, USA

USD 58k-75k / year

Posted on May 21, 2026

This position will report to the Research Assistant Professor and contribute to the TNWaterTA research program that provides technical support and training to small water and wastewater systems across the United States. The position will use specialized knowledge of water/wastewater systems (including transport and treatment processes, hydrology and hydraulics, and computational modeling) to support the PI with completing project deliverables which will include the development and implementation of hydraulic analysis and asset management tools, training material, and assisting systems with their operations, analysis, and planning. The position will be expected to help oversee undergraduate research assistants on project tasks.

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 Research Assistant will support the Tennessee Water Resources Research Center’s technical assistance and training program for small water and wastewater utilities across the United States. This role involves providing technical assistance to small systems in the areas of geographic information systems, asset management, and hydraulic modeling. This role also includes helping with trainings and supervising undergraduate students.

Required Qualifications

  • Education: Master’s Degree in Engineering or Physics
  • Experience: 1 to 2 years experience (includes internships)

  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Knowledge of fluid mechanics and hydraulics.

    • Skilled in geographic information systems (GIS) software.

    • Basic knowledge of hydraulic modeling principles.

    • Ability to communicate (both written and oral) for training and communication with research project sponsors, preparation of professional quality progress reports, and the preparation of academic journal articles.

    • Ability to communicate (both written and oral) with rural utility staff.

    • Good organizational skills for managing multiple projects' tasks and deliverables.

    • Some knowledge of in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience:

    • Knowledge and/or experience in hydraulics and hydrology, computational modeling, water and wastewater engineering, and database management.

    • Technical writing, giving technical presentations, and managing time on multiple projects, tasks, and deliverables.

    • Consulting and/or working in state or federal entities working with EPA.

    • Experience managing multiple projects, tasks, and deliverables.

    • Experience with GIS, EPANET, EPASWMM, python, and/or MATLAB.

  • Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

    • Skilled in hydraulic modeling software (EPANET, EPASWMM).

    • Skilled in writing computer code (VBA, python, MATLAB).

Work Location

  • Location: Knoxville, TN
  • Onsite (possibility of remote work based on qualifications of applicant)

Compensation and Benefits

  • UT market range: MR08
  • Anticipated hiring range: $58,000 - $75,000
  • Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
  • Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with all of the following requested attachments:

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter

About The Department

The TNWaterTA Program is part of the Tennessee Water Resources Research Center (TNWRRC), a federally designated state research institute supported in part by the U.S. Geological Survey. TNWRRC serves water resource experts in academia, government, and the private sector, and works to establish productive partnerships within these sectors. TNWRRC is part of the Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment (ISSE) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. TNWRRC’s mission is to coordinate research, education, community outreach activities, and training across the state of Tennessee among government agencies, universities, and private sector professionals. The TNWaterTA Program contributes to that mission by supporting rural water and wastewater systems with technical assistance and training opportunities.

  • Completes project tasks and deliverables with some direction and oversight from the PI. Tasks will include Geographic Information System (GIS) use and analysis, development and analysis of infrastructure asset management plans, development and implementation of hydraulic models, development of training materials, conducting trainings and webinars, national asset data management, and statistical analysis.
  • Drafting regular progress reports for submission to project sponsors.
  • With direction from the PI, managing undergraduate research assistants on project tasks to complete project deliverables
  • Travel to assist utilities with project tasks and deliverables mentioned above.
  • Contributes to scientific, peer-reviewed journal manuscripts
  • Assists with the Tennessee Water Resources Research Center's general operational needs including administrative tasks (procurement research for equipment, send emails to schedule undergrad interviews, and scheduling meetings), creating and assisting with implementation of training programs, and in support of other ongoing research projects that are part of the Center.
See more open positions at University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department