Research Farm Technician III

University of Kentucky; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Kentucky seeks a Research Farm Technician III to join the Department of Veterinary Science. You will care for about 300 horses, maintain facilities, and support musculoskeletal equine research, collaborating with faculty, researchers, staff, and students across UK farms.

Strong animal welfare commitment, precise record-keeping, and ability to work as part of a team are essential. Experience on a farm with horses is preferred; shift is primarily days with occasional physical demands.

Qualifications

• Experience with equine care and veterinary support.
• Ability to follow established animal research protocols and SOPs.
• Safe handling, restraint, transport, and monitoring of horses.
• Knowledge of farm equipment, facilities maintenance, and safety practices.
• Strong communication, accuracy, and teamwork.
• 1 year of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care and husbandry for research horses, including feeding, health monitoring, and safe housing.
• Perform animal handling, restraint, transport, sample collection per protocols.
• Maintain inventories of feed, veterinary supplies, hay, and care materials; support biosecurity.
• Assist with facility, pasture, fence, vehicle upkeep, and routine machinery inspections.
• Support research projects through sample collection, treatment administration, and sanitation.
• Collaborate with staff across UK farm units for operational and research support.
• Promote professional standards, customer service, safety, and continuous learning.

Skills

Equine care

Animal handling

Communication

Teamwork

Leadership & training

MS Windows

Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

MS Windows

Microsoft Office

Job description

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Lifting and pushing 50 pounds or more. Working outside in all weather conditions.

Shift

Primarily days (Typically Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm)

Job Summary

Support Industry-Changing Equine Research Through Expert Animal Care and Farm Operations

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Research Farm Technician III to join the Department of Veterinary Science in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. This position supports the department’s research mission by providing high-quality care for approximately 300 horses, maintaining farm facilities and equipment, and assisting with musculoskeletal equine research activities. The successful candidate will play a vital role in animal welfare, research support, and daily farm operations while collaborating with faculty, researchers, staff, and students across University of Kentucky farms.

What You’ll Do

• Provide daily care and husbandry for research horses, including feeding, monitoring health, administering veterinary treatments, and ensuring clean and safe housing environments.
• Perform animal handling, restraint, transportation, diagnostic sample collection, and other activities in accordance with established protocols and animal welfare standards.
• Maintain inventories of feed, veterinary supplies, hay, and animal care materials while supporting farm biosecurity practices.
• Assist with facility, pasture, fence, and equipment maintenance, including mowing, repairs, vehicle upkeep, and routine machinery inspections.
• Support musculoskeletal equine research projects through animal preparation, sample collection activities, treatment administration, facility sanitation, and protocol compliance.
• Collaborate with research staff and other University of Kentucky farm units to provide operational and research support as needed.
• Promote professional standards, customer service, workplace safety, and continuous learning.

What You’ll Bring

• Knowledge of equine care, animal husbandry practices, and veterinary support techniques.
• Experience handling, restraining, transporting, and monitoring animals safely and effectively.
• Ability to collect research-related samples and follow established animal research protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Knowledge of agricultural equipment, farm operations, facility maintenance, and safety practices.
• Strong communication skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to animal welfare.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while remaining self-motivated and dependable.
• Leadership and training skills to support coworkers and promote safe work practices.
• 1 year of related experience

What’s In It for You

• Opportunity to contribute to impactful musculoskeletal and equine research that advances animal health and industry practices.
• Hands-on experience working with a large equine research population and multidisciplinary research teams.
• Professional growth through training, seminars, and continued learning opportunities.
• Meaningful involvement in research that improves the lives of horses now and in the future.

Why Now?

The Department of Veterinary Science continues to support critical equine research initiatives while maintaining high standards of animal care across its facilities. This role is essential to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of research animals while supporting ongoing scientific progress. As research activities expand and collaboration across University of Kentucky farms continues, this position provides important operational and research support that helps advance discoveries benefiting horses and the equine industry.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

MS Windows, Microsoft Office Suite

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No

Preferred Education/Experience

Experience working on a farm and with horses.

Deadline to Apply

Deadline to Apply 10/30/2026

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.

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.

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