Assistant Professor Jobs in Tennessee
Assistant Professor jobs in Tennessee concentrate in higher education, research, and healthcare sciences, with active hiring at universities, medical schools, and liberal arts colleges throughout the state. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville are the largest hiring markets, anchored by institutions like Vanderbilt University, the University of Tennessee, and Tennessee State University. The most consistent openings are in nursing and health sciences, business and management, and STEM disciplines. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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INTRODUCTION
The University of Tennessee Health Sciences, College of Medicine-Chattanooga, is seeking a part-time non-tenure Assistant Professor.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supervision and education of residents, fellows, and medical students.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- EDUCATION: MD or DO.
- LICENSES: Board Certification.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCES, COLLEGE OF MEDICINE - CHATTANOOGA
Chattanooga’s metro area population is approximately 430,000, and the city was recently selected as Forbes Magazine’s Top 50 places to visit in the world! Surrounded by mountains, rivers and lakes, Chattanooga and Hamilton County, Tennessee, offer a little bit of everything – the fastest internet service in the western hemisphere, a thriving innovation business district and a booming downtown along the Tennessee River brimming with shops, dining and history. Awarded Outdoor Magazine’s “Best Town Ever” title for two years, the Scenic City always delivers.
INTRODUCTION
The University of Tennessee Health Sciences, College of Medicine-Chattanooga, is seeking a part-time non-tenure Assistant Professor.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supervision and education of residents, fellows, and medical students.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- EDUCATION: MD or DO.
- LICENSES: Board Certification.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCES, COLLEGE OF MEDICINE - CHATTANOOGA
Chattanooga’s metro area population is approximately 430,000, and the city was recently selected as Forbes Magazine’s Top 50 places to visit in the world! Surrounded by mountains, rivers and lakes, Chattanooga and Hamilton County, Tennessee, offer a little bit of everything – the fastest internet service in the western hemisphere, a thriving innovation business district and a booming downtown along the Tennessee River brimming with shops, dining and history. Awarded Outdoor Magazine’s “Best Town Ever” title for two years, the Scenic City always delivers.
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Find Assistant Professor JobsAssistant Professor Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Assistant Professor Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Austin Peay State University15
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center14
- University of Tennessee12
- RHODES COLLEGE3
- MARYVILLE COLLEGE3
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant professor jobs across Tennessee.
- Terminal degree (PhD, MFA, MD, or equivalent) required in the relevant discipline
- Demonstrated record of scholarly research, publication, or creative practice in the field
- Evidence of effective undergraduate or graduate teaching experience
- Active or eligible for professional licensure where discipline requires Tennessee certification
- Ability to advise students and contribute to departmental curriculum development
- Experience securing or supporting external grants or sponsored research funding
Assistant Professor Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an assistant professor in Tennessee?
Becoming an assistant professor in Tennessee requires completing a terminal degree in your discipline, typically a PhD, MFA, or professional doctorate such as an MD or JD. Research-focused roles also expect a record of peer-reviewed publication or creative output before hire. Disciplines like nursing and clinical health sciences may additionally require an active Tennessee professional license issued by the relevant state board, such as the Tennessee Board of Nursing, alongside the academic credential.
Which companies hire assistant professors in Tennessee?
Employers hiring assistant professors in Tennessee right now include Austin Peay State University, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and University of Tennessee, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tennessee's concentration of research universities, medical schools, and private liberal arts colleges means hiring is distributed across the state rather than limited to a single dominant institution.
Which Tennessee cities have the most assistant professor jobs?
Memphis, Clarksville, and Knoxville post the most assistant professor openings in Tennessee. Nashville leads because of its dense cluster of universities, medical schools, and healthcare systems, while Knoxville is driven by the University of Tennessee's flagship campus, and Memphis by its medical research institutions and historically Black colleges and universities.
Are there remote assistant professor jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they are less common than in many other fields. About 11% of assistant professor openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most faculty roles involve in-person teaching, lab supervision, and campus service. Online-focused colleges and continuing education programs are the most likely source of fully remote assistant professor positions in Tennessee.
How can I get hired as an assistant professor in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a postdoctoral fellowship or visiting faculty appointment, which large Tennessee research universities regularly offer to recent doctoral graduates. Vanderbilt University and the University of Tennessee system both run postdoctoral and visiting instructor programs that serve as pipelines into tenure-track roles. Teaching experience as a graduate instructor, a strong dissertation, and at least one publication substantially improve candidacy even without a full prior faculty position.
Where can I find and apply to assistant professor jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to assistant professor jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search for roles that match your discipline, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to the positions that fit.
See All 63 Assistant Professor Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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