Associate Research Unit Manager, East TN AgResearch & Education Center: UTIA

About the job

The Blount Unit (Blount) oversees two of six units that comprise the East TN AgResearch and Education Center (ETREC). This unit consists of more than 650 acres and includes a research beef herd of up to 350 cattle, and a research sheep herd of more than 50 animals. The position serves under the general supervision of the ETREC director. The position coordinates personnel, facility, and equipment resources, and participates in the planning and feasibility assessment of research projects.  As needed position assists faculty researchers in the implementation and execution of studies.

Responsibilities

• Plans & manages all phases of daily agricultural/research operations at outlying field laboratory;
• Supervises Blount personnel - making work assignments and reviewing quality of work of staff, students, and temporary labor;
• Advises and edits research protocols used by research faculty and staff in the planning and execution of their research trials;
• Audits and streamlines research proposals made by faculty to align with institute missions and farm operations;
• Assists research efforts involving beef cattle production, pathology, nutrition, sheep pathology, forage production and quality, and conservation.
• Position oversees operations to ensure safe and proper conduct of research studies, well-being of livestock, and suitable growing conditions of pasture, haylage, and timber crops;
• Oversee heterosis of herd to support research in beef animal genetics;
• Ensures quality of research by coordinating research trials and assigning appropriate personnel;
• Develops budgets and standards for conducting research trials to accommodate faculty needs, new technologies, and safe farm operations.
• Keep various records related to research, farm operations, equipment, supplies, etc.
• Operates general-purpose and specialized farm and/or research equipment;
• Purchases equipment and supplies;
• Oversees pasture rotations to produce feed and research crops for research animals and to support local producers.
• Teaches lab sessions associated with Animal Science and College of Veterinary Medicine courses.
• Develops new and/or revised methods and apply them to agricultural and research operations;
• Assist staff and faculty in developing robust SOPs pertaining to herd management, staff safety, and equipment maintenance.
• Addresses and resolves unplanned facility, repair, maintenance, animal welfare, and operational issues;
• Other duties as assigned by director.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Education:

• High School Diploma

• Experience:

• 2+ years relevant experience in agricultural research and/or agricultural production operations.

• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge of agricultural operations, techniques/procedures, and equipment;

• Ability to communicate, plan and coordinate studies (livestock and environmental) with faculty researchers;

• Ability to record and prepare reports related to research projects, livestock care, crops, and equipment;

• Ability to coordinate and allocate personnel, facility and equipment resources related to livestock and crops;

• Ability to assist in coordination of multiple faculty driven research projects simultaneously;

• Farm equipment operation skills;

• Ability to track land and facilities usage for long-term optimization;

• Excellent communication skills and ability to multi-task;

• Ability to ensure that facility procedures and operations are conducted in an environmentally-sound manner;

• Ability to occasionally perform agricultural/physical labor in inclement weather conditions;

• Demonstrated ability to manage beef cattle operations.

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:

• Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Science, Veterinary Science, or related agricultural field.

• Experience:

• 4+ years of relevant experience in agricultural research and/or agricultureal production operations.

Work Location:

• Location: Blount Unit – Louisville, TN
• Position is onsite, with regular overtime, and regular weekend and occasional holiday work. On site housing may be required and is provided.

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR11
• Anticipated hiring range: $75,000-$90,000
• 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 the noted below attachments.

• Resume

About The Department:

One of ten AgResearch and Education Centers located throughout Tennessee, the East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center serves as a field laboratory providing experimental plots, lands, livestock, orchards, equipment, and other types of support for research programs developed by AgResearch scientists. The Center was established on land purchased by the university in 1869. Since that time, six units have been added, increasing the Center’s land to nearly 2,000 acres.

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 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!

Additional Information

• Job Identification: 10463
• Job Category: Ag & Nat Resources
• Posting Date: 2026-10-20
• Job Schedule: Full time
• Locations: 4258 UT Farm Road, Louisville, TN, 37777, US ()