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 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 August 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.
Requirements
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.
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 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 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.
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 May 5, 2026; open until filled. Submission of materials is the applicant's responsibility. Applications without all required materials are incomplete and will not be considered.
