Assistant, Associate, or Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences, Extension Title Series

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kentucky invites applications for a tenure-eligible Assistant, Associate, or Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences, Extension Title Series, to lead county-based tobacco and hemp education and applied research. The position combines 80% extension/service and 20% research, with a 12-month appointment and July 1, 2027 start.

Applicants must have a doctoral degree in agronomy or crop science, evidence of strong written and oral communication of applied research, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in agronomy, crop science, or a closely related discipline.
• Evidence of strong written and oral communication of applied research findings.
• Experience or potential for extramural funding and extension leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead county-based educational programs for tobacco and hemp production (80% extension).
• Develop and evaluate education and applied research programs for specialty crops.
• Collaborate with faculty, industry, and agencies; supervise graduate education and committees.

Skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Extension leadership

Education

Doctorate in agronomy or crop science

Job description

Assistant, Associate, or Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences, Extension Title Series

Job Title Assistant, Associate, or Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences, Extension Title Series

Requisition Number

Requisition Number FE05068

Working Title

Department Name

Department Name 81060:PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCES

Work Location

Work Location Lexington, KY

Type of Position

Type of Position Faculty

Position Time Status

Position Time Status Full-Time

Required Education

Applicants must have an earned doctorate in agronomy, crop science, or a closely related discipline. Evidence of strong written and oral communication of applied research findings is required.

Required Related Experience

Experience in tobacco and hemp agronomy is desired.

Required License/Registration/Certification

N/A

Job Summary

RESPONSIBILITIES : This is a tenure eligible position with a 12-month appointment and approximately 80% extension/service and 20% research responsibilities. The annual distribution of effort will be aligned with this colleague’s strengths and college/department needs. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027.

Extension: The person in this position will provide leadership in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating county-based educational programs for tobacco (70% effort) and hemp production, as well as other specialty crops (30% effort). The primary responsibility will be burley tobacco, but could also include work with other types, such as dark tobacco or cigar tobacco, with a secondary focus on hemp production and other specialty crops in Kentucky. The individual will develop partnerships with county, district, and multi-state Extension faculty and staff, industry representatives, and research station personnel to develop education and applied research programs for tobacco, hemp, and other specialty crops systems. The person in this position will play an active role in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment, and is expected to collaborate with other agronomists, weed scientists, plant pathologists, entomologists, soil scientists, and other faculty in the department, college, and university. Development and dissemination of timely educational materials and programs for county Extension staff, producers, agribusiness firms, and other agencies, including peer-reviewed Extension publications, is expected. The candidate should also build strong collaborative relationships with producer groups and industry representatives to promote practices for improved crop profitability and sustainability, as well as generating program support. The incumbent will provide leadership for college-wide industrial hemp research and extension activities, including facilitating effective collaboration with the on-campus USDA - ARS group.

Research: This faculty member will conduct field and greenhouse research on applied tobacco, hemp, and other specialty crop issues. The primary goal of this research will be to develop recommendations for current and emerging crop production challenges. The individual would be expected to investigate both traditional and novel approaches to solve agronomic problems. The successful applicant will contribute to graduate student education by advising students and serving on graduate committees.

Service: As a land-grant university, service to department, college, university, professional society, and/or society at large is expected.

QUALIFICATIONS : Applicants must have an earned doctorate in agronomy, crop science, or a closely related discipline. Evidence of strong written and oral communication of applied research findings is required. It is expected that the incumbent will obtain extramural funding to support an impactful extension and research program. Applicants are expected to travel as needed. Experience in tobacco and hemp agronomy is desired.

RANK AND SALARY : The rank of this position is at the Assistant, Associate, or Professor level. Salary is negotiable and is commensurate with training and experience. Employment at Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with various 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: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits .

THE ENVIRONMENT : The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (M-G CAFE ) 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, M-G CAFE 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 Kentucky’s 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 27,500 undergraduate and 9,500 graduate students. UK is Kentucky’s 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 institution’s 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.

APPLICATION : Completed applications should include the following: a cover letter, CV, with full legal name as it appears on passport or driver’s license and ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID), if available, and statements of extension and research interests and experiences. In addition, names and contact information of three individuals from whom letters may be requested should be included in the application packet. Applications should be submitted by December 14, 2026, for full consideration, while the position will remain open until filled. Please use the University of Kentucky’s electronic application process to apply. In your uploaded document, please begin with a cover letter that outlines your approach to the position’s responsibilities, your qualifications, and your vision for innovative and impactful research programs that address existing and emerging issues, followed by the name, address, email, and phone number for three references, and conclude with career curriculum vita and relevant statements.

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, social or economic status or whether the person is a smoker or nonsmoker, as long as the person complies with University regulation concerning smoking.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Preferred Education/Experience

Deadline to Apply

Open Until Filled Yes

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.

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

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