Post-Doctoral Research Associate - Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs - UTK

University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department
University of Tennessee Athletic Marketing Department

Full-time

Knoxville, TN, USA

Posted on Nov 5, 2026

The Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is seeking applications for a post-doctoral position from doctoral candidates or recent Ph.D. recipients interested in the economics and policy of critical minerals.

JEL Classification: F -- International Economics; L -- Industrial Organization; Q -- Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics

Keywords: critical minerals, natural resources, international trade, industrial policy

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 Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is seeking applications for a post-doctoral position from doctoral candidates or recent Ph.D. recipients interested in the economics and policy of critical minerals. JEL Classification: F -- International Economics; L -- Industrial Organization; Q -- Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics Keywords: critical minerals, natural resources, international trade, industrial policy

Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in economics, agricultural and resource economics, or a similar field prior to starting. Applications for candidates graduating in the Spring 2027 semester are welcome to apply. Excellent programming, data management, and written communication skills are essential. Demonstrated ability to work with applied theory is preferred. Experience with critical minerals is a plus.

Location: Knoxville, Tennessee UNITED STATES

Salary Range: Competitive salary plus full University benefits package.

The Baker School has research focal areas in environmental and energy policy, along with its instructional and public service missions. The Baker School’s Center for Energy, Transportation, and Environmental Policy (CETEP) combines sound science, rigorous economics, and thoughtful policy to address natural resource use and environmental challenges facing the state of Tennessee, the U.S., and the world. CETEP is an interdisciplinary network of joint faculty, faculty fellows and affiliates, research associates, and post-doctoral researchers. The Baker School’s research network extends to industry, government, the nonprofit sector, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The successful candidate will join a cohort of postdoctoral researchers working on environmental and energy challenges.

To apply, please submit the following items with your application: a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, a research paper, and three recommendation letters. Letters of recommendation may be submitted with your application or directly sent from the reference to the Hiring Manager, Charles Sims, at cbsims@utk.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Successful candidates are expected to start a 24-month appointment in the Summer/Fall of 2026 (exact start date negotiable). Questions regarding the position can be directed to Prof. Charles Sims by email (cbsims@utk.edu).

The successful candidate will work with Charles Sims at the Baker School, Georg Schaur at the Department of Economics at UTK, critical mineral industry partners, and collaborators at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the following areas:

  1. Costs of US critical mineral dependence on foreign countries.
  2. Effect of industrial policy on domestic investments in critical mineral mining, processing and recycling.

The successful candidate will develop a research agenda in one or both areas.

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