AI Researcher Jobs in Tennessee
AI Researcher jobs in Tennessee are growing steadily, with demand concentrated in healthcare AI, defense and national security systems, and enterprise machine learning across seniority levels from research associate through principal scientist. Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis anchor most of the hiring activity, where institutions like Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and FedEx draw consistent research talent. The most in-demand specialties include natural language processing, computer vision, and applied machine learning for healthcare and logistics. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Position Summary
The Associate Director, AI & Career Systems Strategy leads the design, implementation, and optimization of AI-enabled tools and operational systems within Career Advancement & Engagement. This role is responsible for scaling student access, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing employer engagement through the strategic use of AI, automation, and integrated platforms. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Initiatives, this role serves as the primary owner of CAE’s AI advising co-pilot and works closely with internal teams, faculty partners, and external vendors (e.g., Handshake) to develop and deploy technology-enabled solutions that improve student outcomes and organizational performance.
About Career Advancement & Engagement
Career Advancement & Engagement at Vanderbilt University is building a pathway-based career ecosystem that aligns academic experience, experiential learning, and employer engagement to improve student outcomes at scale. Through advising, internships, industry partnerships, and AI-enabled tools, CAE helps students explore, prepare for, and launch into meaningful careers across a broad range of industries. This model expands access to opportunities, strengthens employer relationships, and positions Vanderbilt as a leading source of talent in a rapidly evolving workforce.
Key Functions and Expected Performance
- AI Product Ownership (Student Experience):
- Lead development, deployment, and continuous improvement of the AI advising co-pilot
- Define use cases aligned to student pathways, milestones, and advising needs
- Monitor usage, effectiveness, and student outcomes
-
Partner with faculty (e.g., Generative AI Innovation Center) on ongoing development
-
Workflow Automation & Operational Efficiency:
- Identify and redesign key workflows across advising, employer engagement, and student communications
- Implement AI and automation tools to improve efficiency, consistency, and scale
-
Reduce manual processes and streamline operations across teams
-
Marketing & Communication Automation:
- Develop AI-enabled approaches to student and employer communications
- Automate targeted messaging aligned to pathways, recruiting timelines, and student milestones
-
Improve personalization and engagement at scale
-
Systems Integration & Vendor Management:
- Serve as primary liaison to Handshake and other platform providers on AI-enabled features
- Ensure alignment between AI tools, CRM (VandyQuest), and career platforms
-
Identify and implement new tools that enhance system capabilities
-
Data, Insights & Continuous Improvement:
- Develop dashboards and reporting to assess system performance and user engagement
- Use data to refine workflows, improve student outcomes, and inform strategy
-
Identify trends and opportunities for further automation and innovation
-
Training, Adoption & Change Management:
- Train staff on AI tools and system workflows
- Drive adoption of new tools and processes across CAE
- Develop documentation and best practices for sustainable use
Supervisory Relationships
This position does not have supervisory responsibility and reports administratively and functionally to the Director of Strategic Initiatives.
Education and Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field is necessary.
Experience and Skills
- 5–8+ years of experience in operations, systems, technology, or program management is necessary.
- Demonstrated experience implementing or managing AI, automation, or digital tools is necessary.
- Strong analytical, process design, and problem-solving skills are necessary.
- Ability to translate complex systems into practical workflows is necessary.
- Experience in higher education, workforce development, or career services is preferred.
- Familiarity with CRM systems (Salesforce) and platforms like Handshake is preferred.
- Experience working with AI tools, product development, or digital transformation initiatives is preferred.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are preferred.
Position Summary
The Associate Director, AI & Career Systems Strategy leads the design, implementation, and optimization of AI-enabled tools and operational systems within Career Advancement & Engagement. This role is responsible for scaling student access, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing employer engagement through the strategic use of AI, automation, and integrated platforms. Reporting to the Director of Strategic Initiatives, this role serves as the primary owner of CAE’s AI advising co-pilot and works closely with internal teams, faculty partners, and external vendors (e.g., Handshake) to develop and deploy technology-enabled solutions that improve student outcomes and organizational performance.
About Career Advancement & Engagement
Career Advancement & Engagement at Vanderbilt University is building a pathway-based career ecosystem that aligns academic experience, experiential learning, and employer engagement to improve student outcomes at scale. Through advising, internships, industry partnerships, and AI-enabled tools, CAE helps students explore, prepare for, and launch into meaningful careers across a broad range of industries. This model expands access to opportunities, strengthens employer relationships, and positions Vanderbilt as a leading source of talent in a rapidly evolving workforce.
Key Functions and Expected Performance
- AI Product Ownership (Student Experience):
- Lead development, deployment, and continuous improvement of the AI advising co-pilot
- Define use cases aligned to student pathways, milestones, and advising needs
- Monitor usage, effectiveness, and student outcomes
-
Partner with faculty (e.g., Generative AI Innovation Center) on ongoing development
-
Workflow Automation & Operational Efficiency:
- Identify and redesign key workflows across advising, employer engagement, and student communications
- Implement AI and automation tools to improve efficiency, consistency, and scale
-
Reduce manual processes and streamline operations across teams
-
Marketing & Communication Automation:
- Develop AI-enabled approaches to student and employer communications
- Automate targeted messaging aligned to pathways, recruiting timelines, and student milestones
-
Improve personalization and engagement at scale
-
Systems Integration & Vendor Management:
- Serve as primary liaison to Handshake and other platform providers on AI-enabled features
- Ensure alignment between AI tools, CRM (VandyQuest), and career platforms
-
Identify and implement new tools that enhance system capabilities
-
Data, Insights & Continuous Improvement:
- Develop dashboards and reporting to assess system performance and user engagement
- Use data to refine workflows, improve student outcomes, and inform strategy
-
Identify trends and opportunities for further automation and innovation
-
Training, Adoption & Change Management:
- Train staff on AI tools and system workflows
- Drive adoption of new tools and processes across CAE
- Develop documentation and best practices for sustainable use
Supervisory Relationships
This position does not have supervisory responsibility and reports administratively and functionally to the Director of Strategic Initiatives.
Education and Certifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field is necessary.
Experience and Skills
- 5–8+ years of experience in operations, systems, technology, or program management is necessary.
- Demonstrated experience implementing or managing AI, automation, or digital tools is necessary.
- Strong analytical, process design, and problem-solving skills are necessary.
- Ability to translate complex systems into practical workflows is necessary.
- Experience in higher education, workforce development, or career services is preferred.
- Familiarity with CRM systems (Salesforce) and platforms like Handshake is preferred.
- Experience working with AI tools, product development, or digital transformation initiatives is preferred.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are preferred.
See All 11 AI Researcher Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find AI Researcher JobsAI Researcher Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
AI Researcher Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital4
- Starbucks2
- Conexess2
- AutoZone1
- Amazon1
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services5
- Food & Beverage2
- Technology & Software2
- Education1
- Automotive1
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in AI researcher jobs across Tennessee.
- Master's or PhD in computer science, machine learning, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience building and evaluating machine learning models in production environments
- Proficiency in Python and core ML frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow
- Demonstrated research output including publications, patents, or open-source contributions
- Experience applying AI to healthcare, defense, or logistics domains relevant to Tennessee industry
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional research collaboration
AI Researcher Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a ai researcher in Tennessee?
Becoming an ai researcher in Tennessee typically starts with a bachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, or statistics, followed by a master's or doctoral program with a research focus. Tennessee does not require a state-issued license for this role. Most employers, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Vanderbilt's research programs, expect a strong portfolio of research projects, publications, or graduate thesis work that demonstrates independent inquiry and applied machine learning ability.
How much do AI researchers make in Tennessee?
AI researchers in Tennessee earn a median of about $108,830 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $82,750 for the lowest 10% to over $174,760 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire ai researchers in Tennessee?
Employers hiring ai researchers in Tennessee right now include St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Starbucks, and Conexess, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Tennessee's mix of federal research institutions, major academic medical centers, and logistics and technology companies creates a diverse set of research environments beyond the typical tech-hub profile.
Which Tennessee cities have the most ai researcher jobs?
Memphis, Nashville, and Spring Hill have the most ai researcher openings in Tennessee. Nashville leads because of its dense concentration of healthcare systems and health technology companies, Knoxville draws research roles tied to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee, and Memphis sees demand from logistics and supply chain organizations where applied AI is expanding rapidly.
Are there remote ai researcher jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 9% of ai researcher openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the desk-based and computational nature of the work. Research roles focused on modeling, analysis, and writing tend to be the most remote-friendly, while positions requiring access to secure government systems or specialized lab infrastructure at sites like Oak Ridge are more likely to be on-site.
How can I get hired as a ai researcher in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research assistantship or graduate fellowship at a Tennessee university such as Vanderbilt, the University of Tennessee, or Tennessee State University, which funnel graduates directly into industry and government labs. Candidates without a graduate degree can target research engineer or data scientist associate roles at health technology companies in Nashville or logistics firms in Memphis, then build toward a researcher title. A strong GitHub portfolio and any published or preprint work, even from coursework projects, gives applicants a concrete edge in Tennessee's market.
Where can I find and apply to ai researcher jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to ai researcher jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current Tennessee openings across industries and experience levels. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 11 AI Researcher Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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