Description

The College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech University invites applications for the position of Director of the Center for Energy Systems Research (CESR). We seek a dynamic and visionary Director who will guide CESR to regional and national recognition as a leader in modern resilient, secure, and scalable energy systems in a new era of energy challenges and opportunities. This is a full-time, nine-month tenured faculty appointment at the rank of associate or full professor, including some guaranteed summer support, with tenure in an appropriate department of the College of Engineering, determined based on the candidate's expertise. Target start date is September 1, 2026.
The Director serves as the chief executive officer of CESR and directly reports to the Associate Dean for Research. The successful candidate will provide strategic vision, leadership, and guidance to advance CESR's regional and national prominence in resilient, secure, and scalable energy systems, leveraging already established strengths and expertise of the college. The Director will lead research development, secure external funding, manage budgets and personnel, with a primary focus on fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and outreach activities beyond the college domain. The individual is also expected to maintain an active research program and contribute to instruction within their tenure home department.

The Center for Energy Systems Research is one of Tennessee's Centers of Excellence within the College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech University. Founded over 40 years ago, CESR has received continuous state funding throughout its history and is currently supported by the State of Tennessee at $1.2 million per year. CESR has a long history of externally funded research in energy systems and maintains strong partnerships with the electric power industry and government agencies. The incoming Director will build and sustain a collaborative, faculty-centered research culture that actively engages College of Engineering faculty and supports their growth as researchers and scholars. The College of Engineering enrolls approximately 3,200 students across multiple undergraduate and graduate degree programs and is home to multiple research centers. The College of Engineering is rapidly expanding and modernizing, including the addition of new offerings in Nuclear Engineering. For additional information, visit https://www.tntech.edu/engineering/.

Tennessee Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. 

Essential Functions:
   Developing and implementing policies in conjunction with CESR faculty, staff, and graduate students
   Recruiting, mentoring, and evaluating faculty, staff, and graduate students for CESR
   Actively engaging College of Engineering faculty as participants in CESR's research activities and supporting their professional growth and scholarly development
   Working cooperatively with departmental chairs in the College of Engineering and with representatives of other colleges
   Collaborating with the directors of other research centers and with other emerging university research initiatives
   Participating actively on university and college committees
   Representing CESR on industrial, governmental, and community advisory boards and committees
   Providing liaison with business, industry, governmental agencies, and other institutions of higher education
   Working cooperatively with the Engineering Research Office and the Office of Research and Economic Development
   Working closely with CESR's advisory committee to ensure alignment with stakeholder needs

Physical Demands:
Those typical in an office setting.

Special Instructions: 
Applicants must apply online at https://jobs.tntech.edu and electronically upload:

Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
Statement of vision for CESR and leadership philosophy
Copies of transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire)
Complete contact information for four professional references

Screening begins August 15, 2026; open until filled. Submission of materials is the applicant's responsibility. Applications without all required materials are incomplete and will not be considered.

Salary:
Commensurate with education and experience.

Benefits Information:
The University offers a competitive benefits package. Benefits include the accumulation of one (1) sick leave day per month and thirteen (13) University holidays. Other benefits include medical and life insurance (shared cost with the university), retirement, optional 401k, and educational benefits. Deferred income and benefits over 12 months.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:
   Doctorate from an accredited institution in engineering, computing, or a closely related field
   Distinguished record of research, publications, and funding in energy systems — including areas such as the smart grid, power systems engineering, nuclear energy, wireless power  transmission, energy storage, critical infrastructure protection, grid resilience, or the energy demands of large-scale digital infrastructure
   Demonstrated commitment to integrating modern computational and data-driven methodologies into energy systems research
   Teaching and scholarly accomplishments sufficient to qualify for appointment as a tenured associate or full professor in a department of the College of Engineering at Tennessee Tech
   Demonstrated leadership, management, and team-building skills
   Demonstrated ability to obtain and manage externally funded research
   Strong interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders
 
Preferred Qualifications:
   Current appointment as tenured associate or full professor at an accredited institution
   Established national or international reputation in energy systems research
   Demonstrated expertise in or commitment to advancing the application of artificial intelligence and high-performance computing (AI/HPC), and other advanced technologies to energy systems challenges
   Experience directing a research center, institute, or large-scale research program
   Demonstrated record of industry, government, and community engagement
   Involvement and leadership in state and national technical organizations; service on proposal review panels for governmental agencies