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The University of Tennessee Knoxville

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PhD in Data Centers and the Southern Energy Buildout University of Tennessee, Knoxville in United States

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Environmental Science

Funding

4 years of guaranteed funding. Includes a Graduate Research Assistant stipend of at least $34,000 per year for two years, a Graduate Teaching Assistant position at a minimum of $26,500 for 9 months in years 3 and 4, plus travel funding for 3 years. The position is funded by an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation project.

Deadline

Dec 15, 2026

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Country

United States

University

The University of Tennessee Knoxville

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Keywords

Environmental Science
Sociology
Political Science
Geography
Energy Policy
Ethnography
Environmental Policy
Environmental Sustainability
Community-based Research
Energy Transition
Data Center Management
Economics

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About this position

PhD opportunity in Data Centers and the Southern Energy Buildout at the Department of Geography and Sustainability, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (USA). The project examines data center expansion, electricity cost, energy transition, and energy justice in Central Appalachia and the Tennessee Valley Authority service territory.

The student will work as a graduate research assistant with Dr. Gabe Schwartzman and Dr. Nikki Luke, in collaboration with Dr. Kristin Phillips and Dr. Jola Ajibade at Emory University and Cathy Kunkle at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Research activities include interviews, ethnographic research, data processing and analysis, mapping data center siting and energy load growth, and independent travel to research sites.

Funding is strong: 4 years guaranteed, including a GRA stipend of at least $34,000/year for two years, a GTA position at a minimum of $26,500 for 9 months in years 3 and 4, plus travel funding for 3 years.

Eligibility highlights include a master's degree in geography or a related field, social science research experience, familiarity with energy geographies, a completed independent research project, and interest in energy/environmental policy and community-engaged research.

Deadline: December 15, 2026. Start date: Fall 2027.

To apply, email [email protected] to express interest and ask questions, then follow the Department of Geography and Sustainability application guidelines at UTK.

Funding details

4 years of guaranteed funding. Includes a Graduate Research Assistant stipend of at least $34,000 per year for two years, a Graduate Teaching Assistant position at a minimum of $26,500 for 9 months in years 3 and 4, plus travel funding for 3 years. The position is funded by an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation project.

What's required

Applicants should have a master's degree in geography or a related field, a background in social science research methodologies, familiarity with energy geographies, a completed independent research project, and an interest in energy and environmental policy and community-engaged research.

How to apply

Email Dr. Gabe Schwartzman to indicate your interest and ask questions, then follow the application guidelines on the Department of Geography and Sustainability website at UTK.

More information can be found here

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