Assistant Professor Jobs in Kentucky

Assistant Professor jobs in Kentucky are concentrated in higher education, health sciences, and STEM fields, with demand driven by the state's network of regional universities, community colleges, and research institutions. Most openings are in Lexington, Louisville, and Richmond, where institutions like the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Eastern Kentucky University maintain active faculty hiring. The most sought-after specialties include nursing education, business, and engineering. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles82
Top employerUniversity of Kentucky
Top cityLexington, KY
Cities hiring12
Work type67% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 82+ Assistant Professor jobs

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theology
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Adjunct Assistant Professor of Theology
Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, Kentucky
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing
Master's degree in religious studies

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Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing Allied Health
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Added 3d ago
Clinical Assistant Professor, School of Nursing Allied Health
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
CPR Certification
1,001-5,000

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Assistant, Associate or Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders
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Added 3d ago
Assistant, Associate or Professor in Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Higher Education
Research & Academia
Teaching & Instruction
On-Site
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology
10,000+

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Assistant Professor of Art Education
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Assistant Professor of Art Education
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Higher Education
Research & Academia
Teaching & Instruction
10,000+

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Assistant or Associate Professor of Animal and Food Sciences, Regular Title Series
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Added 6d ago
Assistant or Associate Professor of Animal and Food Sciences, Regular Title Series
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
10,000+

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Assistant Professor Jobs by City in Kentucky

Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Highland Heights
13 jobs
Berea
5 jobs
Bowling Green
5 jobs
Murray
4 jobs
Owensboro
3 jobs
Georgetown
3 jobs
Danville
1 job

Assistant Professor Job Market in Kentucky

A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • University of Kentucky35
  • Northern Kentucky University13
  • University of Louisville10
  • Berea College5
  • Western Kentucky University5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education

What Kentucky Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in assistant professor jobs across Kentucky.

  • Terminal degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or M.F.A.) in the relevant discipline required
  • Prior teaching experience at the college or university level strongly preferred
  • Active research agenda or scholarly publication record in your field
  • Ability to teach introductory and upper-division courses within the department
  • Experience with learning management systems and online course delivery
  • Commitment to undergraduate or graduate student advising and mentorship

Assistant Professor Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become an assistant professor in Kentucky?

Most assistant professor positions in Kentucky require a terminal degree in your field, typically a Ph.D. or equivalent. Kentucky does not issue a state teaching license for university faculty, so hiring decisions rest with individual institutions. Candidates build their path through doctoral training, teaching assistantships, and postdoctoral or visiting faculty roles. Kentucky's regional universities and community colleges often hire candidates with strong teaching portfolios alongside research credentials.

Which companies hire assistant professors in Kentucky?

Kentucky assistant professor roles are posted by University of Kentucky, Northern Kentucky University, and University of Louisville and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Kentucky's public university system, including its flagship and regional campuses, accounts for a large share of ongoing faculty openings across disciplines.

Which Kentucky cities have the most assistant professor jobs?

Lexington, Highland Heights, and Louisville have the most assistant professor openings in Kentucky. Lexington and Louisville lead because they are home to the state's largest research universities and medical schools, while smaller cities like Richmond and Bowling Green see steady hiring driven by regional institutions such as Eastern Kentucky University and Western Kentucky University.

Are there remote assistant professor jobs in Kentucky?

Yes, but they're less common than in other fields since many assistant professor roles involve in-person teaching, lab instruction, and campus service. About 33% of assistant professor openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting growth in online program development. Fully remote positions are most available in business, education, and certain social science disciplines that support Kentucky's expanding online degree programs.

How can I get hired as an assistant professor in Kentucky with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is securing a visiting assistant professor or lecturer position while completing your terminal degree or shortly after. Kentucky's regional universities, including Morehead State University, Murray State University, and Northern Kentucky University, frequently post visiting and one-year appointments that give early-career candidates classroom experience. Adjunct teaching at Kentucky Community and Technical College System campuses is another concrete starting point that builds a local record and professional connections.

Where can I find and apply to assistant professor jobs in Kentucky?

You can find and apply to assistant professor jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current Kentucky faculty openings across disciplines and institution types. Search the roles that fit your field and experience level and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 82 Assistant Professor Jobs in Kentucky

Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Assistant Professor Jobs