Assistant Or Associate Professor Jobs in Kentucky
Assistant Or Associate Professor jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in higher education, with strong demand in research universities, liberal arts colleges, and community college systems serving both urban and rural regions. Most openings are in Lexington, Louisville, and Bowling Green, where institutions like the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University are among the most active hirers. The highest-demand specialties include nursing and health sciences, education, business, and STEM disciplines. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Job Title: Assistant or Associate Professor of Political Science
Requisition Number: FE05014
Department Name: 8E110:Political Science
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Type of Position: Faculty
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Tenure Track Status: Tenure Track
Required Education: A Ph.D. in Political Science
Required Related Experience: N/A
Required License/Registration/Certification: N/A
Job Summary
The Department of Political Science in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a tenure-eligible faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in the field of international conflict and cooperation. Preference will be given to scholars whose research and teaching focus on terrorism, transitional and restorative justice, or civil conflict, and whose work bridges traditional subfield boundaries.
This is a nine-month appointment in the regular title series with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2027. The anticipated Distribution of Effort will be 45% teaching, 45% research, and 10% departmental service. The successful candidate will demonstrate either an established record or strong potential for producing high-quality research, securing extramural funding, employing rigorous quantitative and methodological approaches, and providing effective instruction at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The successful candidate will be expected to teach courses in Political Science related to international conflict and cooperation and will preferably be able to contribute to the Law and Justice major, a rapidly growing program housed within the Department of Political Science.
A Ph.D. in Political Science is required and must be completed by August 1, 2027.
Applicants must include the following:
1) letter of application (upload as Cover Letter)
2) Curriculum Vita
3) Two publications or writing samples
4) Research Statement (upload as specific statement 1)
5) Teaching statement and evidence of teaching experience (upload as specific statement 2)
6) Transcript
7) In addition, please provide the names and contact information for three references when prompted in the academic profile. This information may be utilized to solicit recommendation letters from your references within the employment system.
Questions about the search may be directed to Dr. Daniel Morey, Search Committee Chair, Department of Political Science, University of Kentucky, at daniel-morey@uky.edu
Application Deadline is 09/29/2026. This position will remain open until filled.
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’ medical coverage and in addition, offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
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.
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 regulations 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.
Job Title: Assistant or Associate Professor of Political Science
Requisition Number: FE05014
Department Name: 8E110:Political Science
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Type of Position: Faculty
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Tenure Track Status: Tenure Track
Required Education: A Ph.D. in Political Science
Required Related Experience: N/A
Required License/Registration/Certification: N/A
Job Summary
The Department of Political Science in the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a tenure-eligible faculty position at the Assistant or Associate Professor level in the field of international conflict and cooperation. Preference will be given to scholars whose research and teaching focus on terrorism, transitional and restorative justice, or civil conflict, and whose work bridges traditional subfield boundaries.
This is a nine-month appointment in the regular title series with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2027. The anticipated Distribution of Effort will be 45% teaching, 45% research, and 10% departmental service. The successful candidate will demonstrate either an established record or strong potential for producing high-quality research, securing extramural funding, employing rigorous quantitative and methodological approaches, and providing effective instruction at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
The successful candidate will be expected to teach courses in Political Science related to international conflict and cooperation and will preferably be able to contribute to the Law and Justice major, a rapidly growing program housed within the Department of Political Science.
A Ph.D. in Political Science is required and must be completed by August 1, 2027.
Applicants must include the following:
1) letter of application (upload as Cover Letter)
2) Curriculum Vita
3) Two publications or writing samples
4) Research Statement (upload as specific statement 1)
5) Teaching statement and evidence of teaching experience (upload as specific statement 2)
6) Transcript
7) In addition, please provide the names and contact information for three references when prompted in the academic profile. This information may be utilized to solicit recommendation letters from your references within the employment system.
Questions about the search may be directed to Dr. Daniel Morey, Search Committee Chair, Department of Political Science, University of Kentucky, at daniel-morey@uky.edu
Application Deadline is 09/29/2026. This position will remain open until filled.
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’ medical coverage and in addition, offers optional benefits such as dental and vision insurance. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
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.
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 regulations 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.
See All 33 Assistant Or Associate Professor Jobs in Kentucky
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Find JobsAssistant Or Associate Professor Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Assistant Or Associate Professor Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Kentucky30
- Berea College1
- Midway University1
- Western Kentucky University1
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Science & Research
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant or associate professor jobs across Kentucky.
- Terminal degree (Ph.D., M.F.A., or equivalent) in the relevant discipline is required
- Demonstrated record of scholarly publication or creative work in the field
- Prior college-level teaching experience, including graduate assistant or adjunct positions
- Active research agenda with evidence of grant pursuit or external funding potential
- Ability to contribute to curriculum development and departmental service obligations
- Strong oral and written communication skills for student instruction and faculty collaboration
Assistant Or Associate Professor Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a assistant or associate professor in Kentucky?
The path to an assistant or associate professor position in Kentucky typically requires earning a terminal degree in your discipline, most commonly a Ph.D. or equivalent, from an accredited institution. Kentucky has no state-issued teaching license for college faculty, so hiring decisions rest with individual institutions. Candidates strengthen their applications through peer-reviewed publications, teaching portfolios, and conference presentations, then apply directly through university faculty search processes.
Which companies hire assistant or associate professors in Kentucky?
Employers hiring assistant or associate professors in Kentucky right now include University of Kentucky, Berea College, and Midway University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Kentucky's public university system and private liberal arts colleges together account for the largest share of ongoing faculty openings across the state.
Which Kentucky cities have the most assistant or associate professor jobs?
Lexington, Bowling Green, and Berea have the most assistant or associate professor openings in Kentucky. Lexington and Louisville lead because they are home to the state's flagship research universities and largest health sciences programs, while Bowling Green benefits from Western Kentucky University's steady faculty hiring across arts, sciences, and professional programs.
Are there remote assistant or associate professor jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields. About 0% of assistant or associate professor openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of lab instruction, clinical supervision, and campus service expectations. Online program faculty roles and certain research-focused positions are the most likely to offer remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a assistant or associate professor in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a postdoctoral fellowship or visiting instructor appointment at a Kentucky research university, which builds both teaching credentials and publication history. Institutions like the University of Kentucky and University of Louisville regularly hire visiting faculty and lecturers who later compete for tenure-track roles. Candidates from adjacent roles such as clinical supervisor, research scientist, or industry practitioner can also transition in, particularly in nursing, education, and business departments that value applied expertise alongside academic credentials.
Where can I find and apply to assistant or associate professor jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to assistant or associate professor jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from institutions across the state. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your discipline and experience level, and apply directly through each listing without any additional steps.
See All 33 Assistant Or Associate Professor Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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