Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology - UTK

About the job

The Suissa lab in the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join the lab (https://www.botaneelab.com/). This 2-year, full-time position will focus on the hydraulics of seed-free plants, with an emphasis on mechanisms of drought tolerance.

The successful candidate will take a leading role in advancing research on vulnerability to drought-induced embolism and vascular architecture in seed-free plants. This work will integrate physiological and anatomical approaches to address fundamental questions in plant function and evolution. The fellow will be expected to drive projects toward publication, contribute to grant development, and actively engage with the broader EEB community.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on vascular evolution in seed-free plants

• Conduct anatomical analyses on vascular structure.

• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.

• Present research at national and international conferences.

• Mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• PhD in plant anatomy, evolution, ecophysiology, botany, or related field.

• Strong background in anatomy, physiology, or hydraulics.

• Experience with estimating vulnerability to drought-induced embolism (preferred using the optical vulnerability method).

• Proficient in statistical analyses and data visualization, using R or a related language.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Experience gained from a PhD in the related fields is sufficient for the position.

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN

• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• Anticipated hiring range: $59,000 - $62,000

• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

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

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter

• List of 3 professional references

About The Department

EEB is in the top 10% of ecology programs in North America based on research impact (Keville et al., 2017), ahead of peer institutions such as UCLA and UC San Diego. Our faculty and students come from around the globe. Our faculty is a mix of internationally known senior researchers and an energetic group of junior faculty at the cutting edges of their fields. We train graduate and undergraduate students with research interests in ecology, evolutionary biology, animal behavior, conservation biology, behavioral and population genetics, computational biology, development of theory for evolution and ecology, ecosystem and community ecology, global change biology, diverse areas of organismal biology, and biology education.

The Suissa Lab is committed to fostering an inclusive, intellectually rigorous research environment grounded in curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning.

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: 10402
• Job Category: Research
• Posting Date: 2026-10-15
• Job Schedule: Full time
• Locations: 1406 Circle Drive, Knoxville, TN, 37996, US