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

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY invites applications for Assistant or Associate Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences to build a program in organic biogeochemistry focusing on agroecosystems, aquatic systems, and the soil environment.

The position is 12-month, tenure-eligible with ~80% research, 15% teaching, 5% service; start date July 1, 2027; collaboration across departments; strong analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry are valued.

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in soil/earth/environmental/aquatic sciences or environmental chemistry.
• Post-doctoral biogeochemistry and analytical chemistry experience desirable.
• Strong written and oral communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Research: develop a nationally and internationally recognized program in organic biogeochemistry focusing on agroecosystems and aquatic ecosystems.
• Collaborate with department programs and campus researchers focused on carbon cycling and environmental fate of organic contaminants.
• Teaching: develop and teach graduate and undergraduate courses in environmental organic analytical chemistry and biogeochemistry.

Skills

Biogeochemistry

Analytical chemistry

Written communication

Oral communication

Grant/funding acquisition

Education

PhD in soil/earth/environmental sciences

Tools

High-resolution mass spectrometry

Job description

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

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

Requisition Number FE05006

Working Title Assistant or Associate Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences Organic Biogeochemist

Department Name 81060:PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCES

Work Location Lexington, KY

Type of Position Faculty

Position Time Status Full-Time

Required Education Applicants must have an earned doctorate in soil science, earth sciences, environmental sciences, aquatic sciences, environmental chemistry, or related areas.

Required Related Experience Post-doctoral experience in biogeochemistry and analytical chemistry, especially high-resolution mass spectrometry, is desirable.

Required License/Registration/Certification N/A

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

RESPONSIBILITIES: This is a tenure eligible position with a 12-month appointment and approximately 80% research, 15% teaching, 5% service responsibilities. The annual DOE will be aligned with this colleague’s strengths and college/department needs. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027.

Research: The selected individual will develop a nationally and internationally recognized program in organic biogeochemistry with an emphasis on agroecosystems, aquatic ecosystems, and the critical zone. The candidate will apply advanced analytical, mass spectrometry, and/or other spectroscopic techniques to improve our understanding of the molecular-level processes involved in the fate and cycling of natural organic matter and its interactions with anthropogenic organic contaminants and nutrients, as well as the implications for larger scale outcomes related to climate change, agricultural productivity, soil and water quality, and human health.

It is strongly emphasized that the candidate is expected to collaborate with researchers in department's well-established programs in soil science, agroecosystem ecology, environmental sciences, plant biology, and crop science, researchers from other Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment departments, and with researchers across campus focused on carbon cycling and environmental fate and transport of organic contaminants.

Teaching: The incumbent will be expected to develop a graduate level course in environmental and agricultural organic analytical chemistry/applied mass spectrometry to be taught every other year. The course will serve the Integrated Plant and Soil Sciences graduate program and graduate programs across campus focused on environmental sciences. During alternate years, the incumbent will teach an undergraduate course focused on biogeochemistry and/or climate change.

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 soil science, earth sciences, environmental sciences, aquatic sciences, environmental chemistry, or related areas. Post-doctoral experience in biogeochemistry and analytical chemistry, especially high-resolution mass spectrometry, is desirable. Evidence of strong written and oral communication skills is required. It is expected that the incumbent will obtain extramural funding to support a vigorous research program.

RANK AND SALARY: The rank of this position is at the Assistant or Associate Professor level depending on review of qualifications. Salary is negotiable and is commensurate with training and experience.

Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with many 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 (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 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.

Web: https://personnel.mgcafe.uky.edu/directory/unrine-jason

Applications should be submitted by November 1, 2026, for full consideration, while the position will remain open until filled.

Open Until Filled Yes

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.