Professor Jobs in Tennessee
Professor jobs in Tennessee are concentrated in Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis, where research universities, liberal arts colleges, and community college systems drive consistent hiring at every academic rank. The University of Tennessee system, Vanderbilt University, and Rhodes College are among the most established employers, recruiting across STEM disciplines, business, health sciences, and the humanities. Demand is especially strong for faculty in nursing education, engineering, and data science as institutions work to close workforce gaps in those fields. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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INTRODUCTION
The College of Medicine in the Division of Critical Care at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is accepting applications for a full-time non-tenure track Open Rank Professor.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary responsibilities include clinical care, teaching of fellows, residents, and medical students, as well as other academic pursuits and research opportunities. Additional responsibilities include providing coverage for the critical care complex including Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Intermediate Care Unit, Neuro-Critical Care Unit, and Extracorporeal Therapy Services at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Clinical supervision of residents and fellows.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education: MD or equivalent degree.
Experience: Additional training and participation in the Extracorporeal Membrane Therapy Service is highly desirable.
License/Certifications: Board-eligible or board-certified in Pediatric Critical Care Certification. Must be able to obtain a State of Tennessee medical license.
For benefits information, please visit
https://www.uthsc.edu/hr/benefits/documents/benefits-preview-packet.pdf
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEALTH SCIENCES
The University of Tennessee Health Sciences is a statewide flagship, public, academic health institution in Tennessee. Founded in 1911, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Sciences is to improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans and the global community by fostering collaborative education, research, scientific discovery, clinical care, and public service. Employing more than 4,600 people on its faculty, staff, and not-for-profit corporation faculty practice groups, and with more than 3,200 students across the state, UT Health Sciences contributes $4 billion to the economy of Tennessee.
Part of the University of Tennessee System, the Health Sciences is headquartered in Memphis and includes all six of UT’s doctoral-degree-granting health science colleges - Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Graduate Health Sciences, and Health Professions. UT Health Sciences spans the state with its four major, regional clinical health science locations in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, as well as more than 100 clinical education sites across Tennessee. UT Health Sciences is the largest educator of health care professionals in the state and operates the state’s largest residency and fellowship advanced training programs.
Located in West Tennessee on the banks of the Mississippi River, Memphis is the second-largest city in the state and among the largest cities in the Southeast. The Greater Memphis metropolitan area has more than 1.3 million residents, and the city ranks among those with the lowest cost of living in the country. It is home to a vibrant restaurant scene, a revitalized Downtown, the Midtown Arts District, many scenic neighborhoods, an active medical district, and a burgeoning airport in the midst of a $214 million modernization.
Memphis boasts attractions, including Elvis Presley’s Graceland, the Memphis Grizzlies, historic Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, the second-largest urban county park in the United States, and the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.
See All 91 Professor Jobs in Tennessee
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Find Professor JobsProfessor Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Professor Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Tennessee33

- University of Tennessee Health Science Center27

- Austin Peay State University15

- RHODES COLLEGE3

- Lipscomb University2

Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in professor jobs across Tennessee.
- Terminal degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or M.F.A.) in the relevant academic discipline
- Demonstrated record of scholarly research, publication, or creative work
- Prior teaching experience at the undergraduate or graduate level
- Ability to develop and deliver curriculum aligned with accreditation standards
- Experience advising students and participating in departmental service
- Proficiency with learning management systems such as Canvas or Blackboard
Professor Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a professor in Tennessee?
Becoming a professor in Tennessee typically requires a terminal degree in your field, most often a Ph.D. or Ed.D., though some applied and fine arts disciplines accept an M.F.A. There is no state-issued teaching license for college-level faculty, but positions at Tennessee community colleges under the Tennessee Board of Regents system may require demonstrated industry credentials alongside academic preparation. Building a teaching portfolio and publication record strengthens applications considerably.
Which companies hire professors in Tennessee?
Companies currently hiring professors in Tennessee include University of Tennessee, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Austin Peay State University, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Tennessee's mix of flagship research universities, private liberal arts colleges, and a large community college network means hiring is distributed across public and private institutions throughout the state.
Which Tennessee cities have the most professor jobs?
Memphis, Clarksville, and Knoxville lead Tennessee in professor openings. Nashville's growth as a healthcare and business hub drives faculty demand at Vanderbilt, Belmont, and surrounding institutions, while Knoxville's concentration of University of Tennessee campuses anchors a large share of STEM and graduate-level hiring, and Memphis supports openings through the University of Memphis and its strong health sciences programs.
Are there remote professor jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since much of the professor role involves in-person instruction, lab supervision, and campus advising. About 0% of professor openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions are concentrated in fully online degree programs and continuing education departments where synchronous digital delivery is standard.
How can I get hired as a professor in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is adjunct or visiting instructor work, which Tennessee's community colleges and smaller liberal arts colleges use heavily to fill short-term teaching needs and evaluate candidates before offering full-time appointments. The Tennessee Board of Regents institutions and private colleges such as Lipscomb or Union University regularly post adjunct openings that require only a master's degree and no prior classroom experience. From there, completing a graduate teaching assistantship, building a portfolio of course syllabi, and earning a credential in online instruction all strengthen a move into a full-time role.
Where can I find and apply to professor jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to professor jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings at Tennessee institutions. Search the roles that match your discipline and academic rank, then apply directly to the ones that fit your background and career stage.
See All 91 Professor Jobs in Tennessee
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