Job Details

Senior Research Associate- College of Nursing-UTK

Position Number: 6454217
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Position Type: Other Administrative Positions

Senior Research Associate- College of Nursing-UTK
United States

Job Identification: 4453
Job Category: Research
Posting Date: 08/08/2025
Job Schedule: Full Time
Locations: 2233 Volunteer Boulevard, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US (On-site)

Job Description
The Senior Research Associate will demonstrate expertise across research development, simulation of complex adaptive systems, and leadership of multidisciplinary projects. Research areas include the development of large language models integrated with digital twin development. This position offers substantial autonomy to conduct original research while contributing to collaborative lab initiatives, managing daily operations, and mentoring junior researchers. It requires solving complex, interdisciplinary problems with limited supervision and playing a key role in proposal development and publication.

Responsibilities

Lead and contribute to research projects involving complex adaptive system modeling and simulation in critical domains.
Design, implement, and validate machine learning and LLM pipelines for real-world applications.
Develop and articulate system-of-systems frameworks and adaptive feedback models.
Serve as a key contributor to grant applications, progress reports, and external funding efforts.
Independently conduct original research and align efforts with collaborative lab goals.
Write peer-reviewed manuscripts and present research at national and international conferences.
Seek funding for advancing personal areas of research.
Solve interdisciplinary technical challenges using creative and domain-informed approaches.
Provide mentorship and guidance to students, postdocs, and junior staff.
Help lead day-to-day lab operations.
Oversee robust data access and transformation processes using tools like SQL.
Support lab operations including computing infrastructure, research planning, and collaborative engagements.
Foster a lab culture that emphasizes innovation, ethical research, and open knowledge-sharing.

Qualifications
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

PhD or equivalent terminal degree in Systems Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Informatics, or a closely related field.
1 + years' relevant experience in hands-on development of large language models (LLMs) and applied research in artificial intelligence, particularly in areas such as natural language processing or machine learning. Experience designing and implementing digital twins or simulation models for adaptive complex systems-such as in healthcare, infrastructure, or environmental systems-is essential.
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 visa status.
Experience in contributing to grant development and peer reviewed journals.
Demonstrated experience building and training large language models.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience managing research labs or programs.
Familiarity with systems modeling software or hybrid simulation environments.
Demonstrated success in obtaining external funding.
Experience working in cross-disciplinary teams, particularly in engineering, healthcare, or data science sectors.

Work Location: Knoxville, TN - onsite

Compensation and Benefits:

UT market range: MR11
Anticipated hiring range: $70,000 - $77,000
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 of Nursing

With a longstanding tradition of excellence in nursing education, research, and clinical practice, we are proud to be a guiding force in healthcare education. We embrace innovation while honoring the values that have shaped our success. By offering cutting-edge academic programs, supporting impactful research, and forging strong community partnerships, we prepare healthcare professionals who deliver high-quality, culturally responsive care in a diverse and ever-changing world. Join the Vol Nurse Family! Get to know CON

About Us
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 that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

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!

To apply, visit https://fa-ewlq-saasfaprod1.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/4453/?mode=location