Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Collaborative for Animal Research Center - UTK

The Collaborative for Animal Behavior Center (CoLAB) at the University of Tennessee invites applications for a post-doctoral research associate position starting August 1, 2025. This position offers recent Ph.D. graduates the opportunity to conduct independent, cutting-edge research in animal behavior while collaborating with faculty and students in a dynamic academic environment. CoLAB is a newly funded Center at the University of Tennessee whose goal is to understand how animals perceive and respond to environmental changes driven by natural and anthropogenic forces. By addressing critical challenges across three interconnected themes—behavioral responses to environmental change, information transfer in human-altered environments, and the development of quantitative methods to uncover the principles underlying behavior—the Center aims to make fundamental advances in understanding how animals collectively respond to a rapidly changing world. Scholars will develop their own research projects, engage in mentorship and outreach, and have access to state-of-the-art facilities to explore how animals respond to environmental change. Scholars may study behaviors of any organism and at any level (genes, hormones, whole organisms). Scholars are expected to be independent and propose their own research projects. Applicants should identify two to three faculty from The University of Tennessee’s Collaborative for Animal Behavior Center ( colab.utk.edu ), who will serve as sponsors and provide lab space and resources to the scholar. Applicants are also encouraged to discuss their planned educational and community engagement activities with their proposed sponsors. Scholars will have opportunities to engage broadly and foster collaboration with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students as members of CoLAB and the University of Tennessee. Join us at CoLAB to explore the fascinating world of animal behavior and make significant contributions to this exciting field!

• Conduct independent, cutting-edge research in the field of animal behavior
• Collaborate with faculty and students across CoLAB
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in their independent research projects
• Participate in opportunities to engage with the broader university community and contribute to outreach programs

Required Qualifications

• Education: Applicants must have completed their Ph.D. by the start date of the position (August 1 st , 2025)
• Experience: Applicants must have a strong track record of research excellence in animal behavior or related fields.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Applicants must have the ability to write clearly and scientifically and have a strong publication record. Applicants who are not currently US citizens must be eligible for J-1 Scholar or H-1B visa status.

Work Location

• University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee

Compensation and Benefits

• Anticipated hiring range: $ 60,000 per year plus health benefits (+ $10,000 annual research stipend and funds to cover attendance at one academic conference per year)
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions For best consideration applicants should submit the below materials before May 1 st 2025: All application documents should be formatted using 1-inch margins and no smaller than 11-point fonts. Applications must submit the following application components: 1. Curriculum vitae: Provide a current CV with academic background, relevant research experience, and prior experience with teaching, mentoring, and community engagement. 2. Research Plan: (3 pages maximum, including figures and excluding references) Describe the independent project the applicant wishes to develop or implement as part of CoLAB. The Research Plan should be innovative and address one of the key focal areas of CoLAB. The project should be feasible over a two-year period. Applicants are expected to consult with potential mentors about proposed research ideas. 3. Bibliography: (no page limit) References for the Research Plan should be included as a separate document. 4. Teaching, mentoring, and community engagement statement: (1 page maximum) Description of your relevant experiences in teaching, mentoring, and community engagement. Highlight specific examples that demonstrate your skills and accomplishments in these areas. Additionally, outline your plans for contributing to teaching, mentoring, and community engagement within CoLAB, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK), and the broader community as part of this position. 5. Faculty Mentor Letter of Support: Applicants need one letter of support from a lead sponsoring faculty mentor within CoLAB who agrees to help supervise the project. The Faculty Mentor Letter of Support should include information about which field and lab space(s) will be used for the proposed research, information about the feasibility of the proposed research within the two-year fellowship period, and a description of how the proposed research will complement ongoing work in their lab and those of other sponsors. Faculty mentors should send their letters directly to the hiring committee at liz@utk.edu . 6. References: Letters of reference from three individuals familiar with the applicant’s training, interests, and qualifications. Proposed faculty mentors cannot serve as references.
About The College/Department/Division CoLAB is a newly funded Center at the University of Tennessee whose goal is to understand how animals perceive and respond to environmental changes driven by natural and anthropogenic forces. By addressing critical challenges across three interconnected themes—behavioral responses to environmental change, information transfer in human-altered environments, and the development of quantitative methods to uncover the principles underlying behavior—the Center aims to make fundamental advances in understanding how animals collectively respond to a rapidly changing world.