The University of Tennessee (UT) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) are seeking a highly accomplished researcher, thought leader, and educator to join the biology, renewable feedstocks, and materials programs as a Governor’s Chair Professor in Circular Biomaterials. The primary employer may be selected as either UTK or ORNL, with a joint appointment at the other institution. 

Established in 2006 and funded by the State of Tennessee and ORNL, the prestigious Governor’s Chair program, managed by the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII), attracts science and technology leaders to broaden and enhance the research partnership between the UT System and ORNL (the nation’s largest multiprogram science laboratory, managed by UT-Battelle LLC for the US Department of Energy).

The rapid expansion of biomaterials within the Bioeconomy presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges, including production methods, sustainable end-of-life considerations, and predicting material properties. Understanding the behavior of multiphase systems in biocomposite materials is crucial, influenced by the properties of pure components and interface characteristics. Controlling these properties can unlock new potential for biomaterials, fostering advancements for a sustainable bioeconomy and innovative solutions across industries.

The envisioned candidate would balance a focus on discovery for greater insight with actual impact for greater performance enhancements (e.g., strength, durability, etc.) while introducing new strategies for end-of-life repurposing. Production can involve synthetic biology or catalytic upgrading, forming intermediates that are purified and converted into final materials. The successful candidate might explore advanced manufacturing, 3-D printing, recyclability, biodegradation, and upcycling as critical research areas. Other areas of exploration could include renewable carbon materials starting from lignin, carbohydrates, or fiber from renewable feedstocks, processed through biological, thermochemical, separation, or mechanical routes. The output from these processes can be a subset of a range of value-added products such as fibers, biopolymers, composites, chemicals, nanocellulose, carbon fiber, phenolic resins, chelators, or modified sugars.

Strategic Priorities Alignment

This proposed topic aligns with several priorities at both UT and ORNL. The recently established UT-ORII Convergent Research Initiative (CRI) on Circular Bioeconomy Systems (CBS) includes a significant research component targeting novel composite materials from agricultural and forest biomass to further applications in low-carbon automotive and packaging products. This person will be working with the CBS-CRI leadership in establishing relationships and programs. Also, the program would fill an existing gap in biomaterials research that is important as the Center for Bioenergy Innovation (CBI) evolves to consider low carbon materials in its next work plan. In filling this critical gap, the candidate would also integrate with existing Governor’s Chairs engaged in the bioeconomy and CBI and create strong opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations with neutron sciences, nanomaterials characterization, high-performance computing and data science initiatives, while also positioning the program to lead national and international partnerships. 

Governor’s Chair Task Areas Strategic

Leadership: Collaborate with faculty and program leadership at UT (including UT Institute of Agriculture) and ORNL to further develop the Circular Biomaterials program strategy and execute critically important activities such as staffing, student recruitment, and stakeholder relationship management.

Academic Quality: Pursue leading research and support ongoing efforts to create an environment of simultaneous excellence in research, innovation, education, and workforce development.

Collaborations: Expand collaborations among UT, ORNL, and other regional, national, and international partners. Funding: Leverage all relevant assets at UT and ORNL to lead the management of stakeholder relationships and capture significant extramural funds for a solid and sustained portfolio of well-funded activities in R&D and education.

Community Relations: UT and ORNL are recognized for their excellence in community relations, thereby amplifying their impact on the state's socio-economic ecosystem. The Governor’s Chair is expected to engage with these activities and amplify this impact with a specific focus on Circular Biomaterials.

REQUIRED: 

• Candidates for the Governor's Chair in Circular Biomaterials will hold a PhD. Since this position crosses multiple fields, the degree may include engineering, biology, agriculture, or materials science, or a closely related field. 
• Tenured professor or a senior researcher at a research institution.
• Research activities will be in one or more of the following areas: materials science, biopolymers, bioprocessing, synthetic biology for these materials, fiber, chemical or agricultural engineering, manufacturing, recycling, polymer upcycling and reuse, biodegradation, or industrial and agricultural economics. 
• Successful record in building productive R&D teams, capturing extramural funding, and are widely recognized as thought leaders in their area of specialization. 
• Vision for advancing circular biomaterials foundations, demonstrating the value of this technology, and educating the next generation of experts in these areas.
• This position requires the ability to be granted a site-access badge for the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. 

For further information or guidance on how to apply, please email davisonbh@ornl.gov or nlabbe@utk.edu. 

Proposed Timeline:

Remote initial discussions with candidates are expected to take place from July 2025 to December 2025. We expect site visits by finalist candidates to be conducted from December to February 2026.