Assistant Professor

Posting Details

• Job Title: Assistant Professor
• Requisition Number: FE04836
• Working Title: Assistant Professor
• Department Name: 81050BIOSYSTEMS & AGR ENGINEERING
• Work Location: Lexington, KY
• Type of Position: Faculty Position
• Time Status: Full-Time
• Tenure Track Status: Tenure Track

Required Education

• A Ph.D. in biosystems/agricultural engineering or a closely-related field with an emphasis in hydrology, water quality monitoring, and/or nature-based water treatment designs.
• In addition, the candidate should have some experience in AI, machine learning, and/or managing large data sets related to water resources and/or ecological engineering design.

Required Related Experience

• The ability to oversee graduate students.
• Demonstration of outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate commitment and ability to work with teams on interdisciplinary problems.
• Create a proactive, high-impact research program that supplies clientele with new methods to analyze hydrologic and water quality impacts in agricultural and urban settings.
• Teach one undergraduate and one graduate course per year.
• Recruit and direct MS and PhD graduate students.
• Contribute to the multi-functional land-grant mission of the department.

Required License/Registration/Certification

• A P.E. or demonstrate the ability to qualify for a P.E. in Kentucky.

Job Summary The University of Kentuckys Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering is recruiting for a full-time, 12-month tenure-eligible Assistant Professor in the Regular Title Series related to hydroinformatics.

• Anticipated Start Date: July 1, 2027
• Distribution of Effort: Approximately 70% research, 25% instruction, and 5% service.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish an integrated, nationally recognized program on topics such as:

• Integrating water resource and agricultural-related datasets to develop and enhance process-based and AI models to analyze and predict the impact of agricultural and implementation of best management practices to address hydrologic and water quality challenges.
• Develop novel and/or utilize existing models to aid in the design and implementation of practices that would reduce the impact of extreme rainfall events.
• Complement ongoing work with researchers and stakeholders to efficiently acquire process and model water quality and hydrologic data from a wide array of sources.

The successful candidate is expected to:

• Demonstrate commitment and ability to work with teams on interdisciplinary problems.
• Create a proactive, high-impact research program that supplies clientele with new methods to analyze hydrologic and water quality impacts in agricultural and urban settings.
• Teach one undergraduate and one graduate course per year.
• Recruit and direct MS and PhD graduate students.
• Contribute to the multi-functional land-grant mission of the department.

Qualifications Include

• A Ph.D. in biosystems/agricultural engineering or a closely-related field with an emphasis in hydrology, water quality monitoring, and/or nature-based water treatment designs.
• Experience in AI, machine learning, and/or managing large data sets related to water resources and/or ecological engineering design.
• A P.E. or demonstrate the ability to qualify for a P.E. in Kentucky.
• The ability to oversee graduate students.
• Demonstration of outstanding written and verbal communication skills.

The Environment The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MGCAFE) is fulfilling the land-grant promise of educational excellence, civic leadership, transformational research, and shared knowledge serving the common good. We serve the people of the Commonwealth and across the world through education, outreach, service, and research by finding solutions to improve lives today and create a sustainable future.

We integrate teaching, research, and extension in our work. We recruit, retain, and graduate students who are competent, responsible, and workforce ready. For more than 130 years, MGCAFE has provided research results to the community. From traditional labs and research farms to high-tech diagnostic and research centers, we offer science-based, practical solutions that affect the everyday lives of Kentuckians and people around the world.

Our Cooperative Extension programs are engaged in Kentuckys 120 counties identifying and addressing needs not only in agriculture and natural resources but also 4-H and youth development, family and consumer sciences, as well as community & economic development.

The University of Kentucky is an institution with over 23,000 undergraduate and 9,500 graduate students. UK is Kentuckys flagship university and a land-grant institution. We have a university commitment to improve the lives of Kentuckians and beyond, and that is why environmental stewardship and sustainability are core parts of our institutions legacy.

We are recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, a Gold level Bicycle Friendly University by The League of American Bicyclists, and are recognized as a STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) Silver Rating by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

The university is geographically near downtown Lexington, which offers the vibrancy of an urban location while being in close proximity to working landscapes and recognized wilderness areas. It is a thriving community of 320,000 with a strong commitment to quality of life, education, and the arts. Lexington is in the Bluegrass Region, an internationally acclaimed cultural landscape and agricultural region.

Salary and Benefits Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with comprehensive rewards focusing on your total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. The university generously contributes to employees retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance, additional retirement plans, and much more.

To learn more about these benefits, please visit: http://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits

Questions and/or Nominations Contact: Mike Montross, Chair Search Committee

• Address: 128 Barnhart Building, 1398 Nicholasville Rd, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0276
• Phone: 859-218-4319
• Email: michael.montross@uky.edu
• Web: www.uky.edu

Application Instructions

• Deadline: Applications should be submitted by June 1, 2026, for full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.
• Interview Period: Anticipated August to September.
• Start Date: Anticipated July 1, 2027.
• Process: Please apply using the University of Kentuckys electronic application process.
• Required Documents:
  1. Letter of Interest: Begin with a letter of interest that outlines your approach to the positions qualifications and responsibilities and your vision for innovative and impactful programs that address existing and emerging issues across the communities we serve.
  2. References: Follow this with the names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers of three references.
  3. Curriculum Vitae: Conclude with a career curriculum vita.
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     Skills, Knowledge, Abilities

     • Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

     Preferred Education/Experience

     • Yes

     Deadline to Apply

     • Open Until Filled

     Our University Community We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn, and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients, and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

     The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, or social or economic status, or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.

     Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

     Posting Specific Questions

     • Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

     Applicant Documents

     • Required Documents: Curriculum Vita, Cover Letter
     • Optional Documents: None listed