Deep Jariwala
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory have jointly recruited Deep Jariwala, a nationally recognized leader in quantum materials and next-generation electronic devices, as the UT-ORNL governor’s chair for quantum devices.
The recruitment was led by the University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute, which manages the UT-ORNL governor’s chair program and works to align the strengths of both institutions to advance research and talent development in areas of importance to Tennessee and our nation.
Jariwala will hold a joint appointment between UT and ORNL, with his academic home in the nationally ranked Tickle College of Engineering. He joins from the University of Pennsylvania, where he is an associate professor and the Peter and Susanne Armstrong Distinguished Scholar in electrical and systems engineering and materials science and engineering. Jariwala will officially join UT and ORNL in January 2027 and is already connecting with researchers at both institutions, with visits planned in the coming months.
Jariwala is widely recognized for his work at the intersection of novel materials, microelectronics and computing systems. He has published more than 180 journal articles with more than 26,000 citations and holds multiple patents. His research focuses on developing new materials and device architectures that enable next-generation computing, sensing and optoelectronic systems — key building blocks for quantum devices and advanced computing technologies.
“The Governor’s Chair program is truly special in its structure,” Jariwala said. “It gives a scholar the rare chance to wear two hats and experience the best of both worlds — academia and a national lab. On one hand, you have a leading research university with world-class facilities at UT Knoxville. On the other, ORNL is one of the largest Department of Energy national laboratories, with arguably the world’s best infrastructure for novel materials and computing research. Considering my recent research endeavors, national priorities and the global research landscape at the nexus of quantum materials, microelectronics and computing hardware, this truly is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. I’m thrilled to take it and push my research in new and strategically important directions.”
The recruitment marks a significant step in expanding UT-ORNL’s partnership in quantum science and engineering, particularly in quantum devices that bridge materials discovery and computing applications. Jariwala plans to advance this work by establishing a materials deposition and characterization laboratory at UT’s Institute for Advanced Materials and Manufacturing. The lab will be located at the UT Research Park at Cherokee Farm, a hub for collaboration among UT, ORNL and industry partners.
“Deep Jariwala is one of the top emerging leaders in quantum materials and advanced electronics,” said UT System President Randy Boyd. “Recruiting him to Tennessee reflects the strength of the UT-Oak Ridge partnership and our shared commitment to leading in technologies that will define the future economy.”