Research Scientist Jobs in Tennessee
Research Scientist jobs in Tennessee are in strong and consistent demand, with the deepest concentration in pharmaceutical and biomedical research, agricultural and food science, materials science, and environmental science across entry-level through senior investigator roles. Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville are the state's primary hiring centers, anchored by institutions and employers such as Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Pfizer's manufacturing and research operations in the state. The most sought-after specializations in Tennessee include oncology and drug discovery, advanced materials for defense and energy applications, and molecular biology. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 10+ Research Scientist jobs
Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Job Title: Operations Research Scientist
Career Level From: Associate
Career Level To:
Job Specialty: Data Analysis
What You'll Do
This position performs the following duties:
- Interact with stakeholders to define requirements and scope for complex analytical projects including discrete-event simulation models, optimization studies, and predictive analytics initiatives
- Develop end-to-end analytical solutions using simulation platforms (Simio, Arena, AnyLogic), optimization solvers (Gurobi, CPLEX), and programming languages (Python, R, MATLAB)
- Design and execute experiments to test "what-if" scenarios, optimize resource allocation, and evaluate operational strategies for clients and leadership
- Build greenfield and brownfield models to drive facility layout, production flows, capacity planning, and logistics optimization
- Develop, validate, and maintain analytical models and decision support tools for consistent operational use
- Apply mathematical optimization techniques to solve scheduling, sequencing, inventory management, and resource allocation problems
- Integrate and cleanse data from enterprise systems (SAP, MES) using SQL, APIs, and ETL workflows to ensure model accuracy and reliability
- Conduct statistical analysis and predictive modeling to forecast demand, identify trends, and quantify operational uncertainty
- Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders and management using visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, and PowerPoint
- Work in a highly visible group that is driving transformation and innovation throughout the organization
- Contribute to the development of Y-12's Factory Digital Twin, enabling real-time analysis and prescriptive decision-making
- Develop deep understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain dynamics, and operational constraints to drive excellence
- Collaborate closely with engineers, planners, quality personnel, and all levels of production facilities
- Partner with data scientists and visualization experts to craft compelling, data-driven narratives for upper management
- Serve as an integral member of the Manufacturing Modeling and Analytics team, advancing the analytical foundation of CNS Y-12's mission-critical operations
What You Can Expect
- Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
- Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
- Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
- Career advancement and professional development programs
- Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives
Minimum Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- Eight (8) or more years of education and/or relevant experience may be considered to satisfy educational and years-of-experience requirements for this posting.
Preferred Job Requirements
- Master's degree or Ph.D. in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or related field
- Bachelor's degree in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science, or related technical field
- Experience with analytical modeling techniques including discrete-event simulation, optimization, or statistical analysis
- Proficiency with simulation software (Simio, Arena, AnyLogic, FlexSim, ExtendSim, etc.) and/or optimization tools (Gurobi, CPLEX, or similar)
- Experience with programming languages such as Python, R, MATLAB, or similar analytical software
- Ability to extract, manipulate, and analyze data from databases using SQL or similar query languages
- Experience with data visualization software (Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, etc.)
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills with ability to translate business problems into quantitative models
- Excellent communication skills with ability to present technical findings to non-technical stakeholders
- Ability to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance
- 5+ years of experience with discrete-event simulation platforms (Simio, Arena, AnyLogic, or similar)
- 2+ years of experience with mathematical optimization methods and solvers
- 2+ years of programming experience with Python, R, MATLAB, or similar analytical languages
- 2+ years of experience with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, or similar)
- Working knowledge of ERP systems (SAP/S4 preferred) and manufacturing execution systems (MES)
- Experience leading data integration efforts, Web API development, or ETL workflow design
- Familiarity with manufacturing systems, production scheduling, constraints modeling, or operations management
- Experience with digital transformation initiatives, digital twins, or advanced manufacturing analytics
- Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma principles, continuous improvement methodologies, or statistical process control
- Familiarity with VV&A (Verification, Validation & Accreditation) standards for model credibility
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional technical or engineering projects
- Strong communication, teamwork, and stakeholder engagement skills with ability to derive project requirements through interviews with cross-functional team members
- Experience in manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, or defense/national security environments
- Ability to work effectively across all organizational levels from production floor to executive leadership
Why Y-12?
Notes
The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.
If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.
Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.
This position may require entry into the Material Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (10 C.F.R. Part 712), which requires successful competition of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation and may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.
This position may be categorized as a “designated position” identified by 10 C.F.R. Part 709, requiring successful completion of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation that may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.
CNS is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification.
CNS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.
Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Job Title: Operations Research Scientist
Career Level From: Associate
Career Level To:
Job Specialty: Data Analysis
What You'll Do
This position performs the following duties:
- Interact with stakeholders to define requirements and scope for complex analytical projects including discrete-event simulation models, optimization studies, and predictive analytics initiatives
- Develop end-to-end analytical solutions using simulation platforms (Simio, Arena, AnyLogic), optimization solvers (Gurobi, CPLEX), and programming languages (Python, R, MATLAB)
- Design and execute experiments to test "what-if" scenarios, optimize resource allocation, and evaluate operational strategies for clients and leadership
- Build greenfield and brownfield models to drive facility layout, production flows, capacity planning, and logistics optimization
- Develop, validate, and maintain analytical models and decision support tools for consistent operational use
- Apply mathematical optimization techniques to solve scheduling, sequencing, inventory management, and resource allocation problems
- Integrate and cleanse data from enterprise systems (SAP, MES) using SQL, APIs, and ETL workflows to ensure model accuracy and reliability
- Conduct statistical analysis and predictive modeling to forecast demand, identify trends, and quantify operational uncertainty
- Present findings and recommendations to stakeholders and management using visualization tools such as Tableau, Power BI, and PowerPoint
- Work in a highly visible group that is driving transformation and innovation throughout the organization
- Contribute to the development of Y-12's Factory Digital Twin, enabling real-time analysis and prescriptive decision-making
- Develop deep understanding of manufacturing processes, supply chain dynamics, and operational constraints to drive excellence
- Collaborate closely with engineers, planners, quality personnel, and all levels of production facilities
- Partner with data scientists and visualization experts to craft compelling, data-driven narratives for upper management
- Serve as an integral member of the Manufacturing Modeling and Analytics team, advancing the analytical foundation of CNS Y-12's mission-critical operations
What You Can Expect
- Meaningful work and unique opportunities to support missions vital to national and global security
- Top-notch, dedicated colleagues
- Generous pay and benefits with a stable organization
- Career advancement and professional development programs
- Work-life balance fostered through flexible work options and wellness initiatives
Minimum Job Requirements
- Bachelor's degree
- Eight (8) or more years of education and/or relevant experience may be considered to satisfy educational and years-of-experience requirements for this posting.
Preferred Job Requirements
- Master's degree or Ph.D. in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Systems Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, or related field
- Bachelor's degree in Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Computer Science, or related technical field
- Experience with analytical modeling techniques including discrete-event simulation, optimization, or statistical analysis
- Proficiency with simulation software (Simio, Arena, AnyLogic, FlexSim, ExtendSim, etc.) and/or optimization tools (Gurobi, CPLEX, or similar)
- Experience with programming languages such as Python, R, MATLAB, or similar analytical software
- Ability to extract, manipulate, and analyze data from databases using SQL or similar query languages
- Experience with data visualization software (Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, etc.)
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills with ability to translate business problems into quantitative models
- Excellent communication skills with ability to present technical findings to non-technical stakeholders
- Ability to obtain and maintain appropriate security clearance
- 5+ years of experience with discrete-event simulation platforms (Simio, Arena, AnyLogic, or similar)
- 2+ years of experience with mathematical optimization methods and solvers
- 2+ years of programming experience with Python, R, MATLAB, or similar analytical languages
- 2+ years of experience with data visualization tools (Tableau, Power BI, or similar)
- Working knowledge of ERP systems (SAP/S4 preferred) and manufacturing execution systems (MES)
- Experience leading data integration efforts, Web API development, or ETL workflow design
- Familiarity with manufacturing systems, production scheduling, constraints modeling, or operations management
- Experience with digital transformation initiatives, digital twins, or advanced manufacturing analytics
- Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma principles, continuous improvement methodologies, or statistical process control
- Familiarity with VV&A (Verification, Validation & Accreditation) standards for model credibility
- Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional technical or engineering projects
- Strong communication, teamwork, and stakeholder engagement skills with ability to derive project requirements through interviews with cross-functional team members
- Experience in manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, or defense/national security environments
- Ability to work effectively across all organizational levels from production floor to executive leadership
Why Y-12?
Notes
The minimum education and experience for the lowest career level in the job posting range are listed under Minimum Job Requirements. Successful candidates hired into a higher career level than the minimum in the range must meet the requirements listed in the job leveling charts for the career level into which they are being hired.
If a range of Career Levels is posted, i.e., Senior Associate to Senior Specialist, internal applicants already in one of the Career Levels would come across at their current Career Level. Internal applicants currently in a lower level Career Level would move to the lowest posted Career Level.
Requires a Q clearance; however all qualified candidates will be considered regardless of their current clearance status. The ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance is required.
This position may require entry into the Material Access Areas (MAA) and participation in the Human Reliability Program (10 C.F.R. Part 712), which requires successful competition of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation and may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.
This position may be categorized as a “designated position” identified by 10 C.F.R. Part 709, requiring successful completion of a DOE counterintelligence evaluation that may include a counterintelligence-scope polygraph examination.
CNS is a drug-free workplace. Candidates accepting a job offer will be required to pass a pre-placement physical, drug screening and background investigation. As an employee, you may be required to receive and maintain a security clearance from the United States Department of Energy in order to meet eligibility requirements for access to sensitive information or matter. U.S. citizenship is a requirement for security clearance applicants. All employees are subject to being randomly selected for drug testing without advance notification.
CNS is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on merit and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.
See All 10 Research Scientist Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Scientist JobsResearch Scientist Jobs by City in Tennessee
Where Tennessee roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Scientist Job Market in Tennessee
A snapshot from current Tennessee openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Tennessee Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research scientist jobs across Tennessee.
- PhD or master's degree in a relevant scientific discipline such as biology, chemistry, or materials science
- Experience designing and executing independent research projects with peer-reviewed publication record
- Proficiency with laboratory techniques specific to the discipline, such as CRISPR, mass spectrometry, or computational modeling
- Ability to write and contribute to grant proposals, technical reports, and scientific manuscripts
- Familiarity with federal research compliance standards including IRB, IACUC, or biosafety protocols
- Strong data analysis skills using tools such as R, Python, SAS, or domain-specific bioinformatics platforms
Research Scientist Jobs in Tennessee: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research scientist in Tennessee?
Most research scientist roles in Tennessee require at minimum a master's degree, and the majority of independent positions require a PhD in a relevant field such as biochemistry, chemistry, physics, or environmental science. Tennessee does not issue a general state license for research scientists, but roles in clinical research may require Good Clinical Practice certification, and laboratory directors at regulated facilities must meet CLIA standards enforced through the Tennessee Department of Health. Postdoctoral fellowships at institutions like Vanderbilt, the University of Tennessee, or Oak Ridge National Laboratory are the most common entry point to independent research careers in the state.
Which companies hire research scientists in Tennessee?
Employers hiring research scientists in Tennessee right now include St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, AllianceBernstein, and Meharry Medical College, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Tennessee's blend of federal research infrastructure, major academic medical centers, and pharmaceutical manufacturing creates a wider-than-average range of employer types for research scientists in the state.
Which Tennessee cities have the most research scientist jobs?
The cities with the most research scientist openings in Tennessee are Memphis, Nashville, and Oak Ridge. Nashville leads because of its dense concentration of academic medical centers and pharmaceutical companies, Knoxville benefits from its proximity to Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee's research programs, and Memphis draws openings through its agricultural research institutions and healthcare systems anchored by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Are there remote research scientist jobs in Tennessee?
Yes, but they're rare. Most research scientist work requires hands-on laboratory access, specialized instrumentation, or on-site collaboration, which limits remote options significantly. About 0% of research scientist openings tied to Tennessee are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and these tend to be concentrated in computational biology, bioinformatics, data science-adjacent research, and grant writing or literature-review roles that do not require bench work.
How can I get hired as a research scientist in Tennessee with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a postdoctoral appointment or a research associate role at one of Tennessee's major research institutions. Oak Ridge National Laboratory runs a postdoctoral research program that accepts candidates with recently completed PhDs across physical, biological, and computational sciences. Vanderbilt University Medical Center and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital offer structured postdoctoral fellowships in biomedical fields. For candidates still completing graduate degrees, research technician and laboratory analyst positions at contract research organizations or pharmaceutical sites in the Nashville and Memphis areas provide direct industry exposure that shortens the path to a full scientist title.
Where can I find and apply to research scientist jobs in Tennessee?
You can find and apply to research scientist jobs in Tennessee on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state's research hubs including Nashville, Knoxville, and Memphis. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly through the listings on this page.
See All 10 Research Scientist Jobs in Tennessee
Find roles in Tennessee that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Scientist Jobs