Research Scientist Senior

University of Kentucky; Lexington (VA); On-site; USD 58,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exceptional Benefits

Job summary

The University of Kentucky seeks a Research Scientist Senior to advance bioprocessing and circular bioeconomy research in the Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering department. This grant-funded role combines scientific leadership with rigorous data analysis and project coordination.

You will oversee research facilities, design reproducible experiments, manage resources, prepare quarterly reports, and contribute to proposals and publications.

Qualifications

• PhD in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering or related field.
• 2 years of related experience in a research environment.
• Strong leadership, collaboration and project management skills.
• Experience coordinating grant-funded research and reporting.

Responsibilities

• Formulate hypotheses and design reproducible experiments in bioprocessing and circular bioeconomy.
• Oversee research facilities and ensure training, maintenance, and safety compliance.
• Coordinate resources, activities and meetings to meet project deadlines.
• Analyze data, perform statistics, and present findings at meetings.
• Maintain protocols, data records and QA/QC samples.
• Prepare quarterly reports and contribute to proposals and publications.
• Develop and edit research proposals and foster continuous improvement.

Skills

Biomass handling

Instrument maintenance

Engineering design

Data management

Research training

Statistical analyses

Education

PhD

Job description

Working Title

Posting Details

Job Title Research Scientist Senior

Requisition Number RE56197

Department Name 81050:BIOSYSTEMS & AGR ENGINEERING

Work Location Lexington, KY

Grade Level 47

Salary Range $58,302-96,179/year

Type of Position Staff

Position Time Status Full-Time

Required Education PhD

Click here for more information about equivalencies: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Required Related Experience 2 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification None

Physical Requirements Lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 50 lbs; Sitting and/or standing for long periods of time

Shift Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm (40 hrs/week)

Job Summary

Advance bioprocessing and circular bioeconomy research through scientific leadership, rigorous analysis, and effective project coordination. The University of Kentucky is seeking a Research Scientist Senior to join the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. This grant-funded position conducts scientifically rigorous research, coordinates project activities, and oversees on-campus research facilities. The role supports the successful completion of research objectives through data analysis, quality assurance, project reporting, proposal development, scholarly publication, and collaboration among project teams.

What You’ll Do

• Formulate research hypotheses and independently design and execute rigorous, reproducible experiments related to bioprocessing and the circular bioeconomy.
• Oversee research facilities in CEBA 169, 170, and 172, ensuring facilities and equipment are maintained, operations are conducted safely, and researchers receive required training and certification.
• Coordinate project resources, activities, decision points, and meetings to support communication and achievement of project deadlines.
• Aggregate research data, perform statistical analyses, and present findings during laboratory and project meetings.
• Maintain experimental protocols, data records, and quality assurance and quality control samples and documentation.
• Prepare quarterly reports for the granting agency and communicate research findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
• Develop and edit research proposals related to bioprocessing and the circular bioeconomy.
• Promote professional standards, effective service, continuous learning, and organizational improvement.

What You’ll Bring

• Practical knowledge of biomass feedstock handling, analytical instrument maintenance, engineering design, data management, and researcher training.
• Experience with chemical synthesis, biomass characterization and valorization, molecular dynamics simulations, statistical and kinetic modeling, biochemical and thermochemical conversion, and critical metal extraction.
• Extensive knowledge of developing, evaluating, and adapting scientific research methods.
• Strong project management skills, including resource coordination, deadline management, decision tracking, quality assurance, and grant reporting.
• Advanced written and oral communication skills demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations.
• Leadership, collaboration, and facility management skills that support safe and effective research operations.

Minimum Requirements

• Doctorial degree
• 2 years of related experience

What’s In It For You

• The opportunity to conduct and publish research addressing bioprocessing, biomass valorization, critical metal extraction, and the circular bioeconomy.
• Experience coordinating grant-funded research, collaborating with multidisciplinary project teams, and presenting findings at professional conferences.
• Opportunities to expand professional knowledge through training, classes, seminars, and activities supporting employee well-being and career success.
• UK's Exceptional Benefits

Why Now?

Grant-funded research depends on strong scientific execution, coordinated project management, reliable facilities, and accurate reporting. This position helps keep complex research activities aligned with project milestones while maintaining the records, quality controls, and communication necessary for reproducible results. Through proposal development, peer-reviewed publication, and research focused on bioprocessing and the circular bioeconomy, the Research Scientist Senior will help expand the department’s capacity to pursue new discoveries and communicate meaningful outcomes to granting agencies and the scientific community.

Internal Employee Being Considered

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No

Preferred Education/Experience

PhD in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or related field

Deadline to Apply

10/28/2026

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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