Professor Jobs at University of Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship
Professor jobs at University of Kentucky span engineering and medicine to arts and social sciences, with a well-established process for sponsoring international faculty. If you're pursuing an academic career in the U.S., Kentucky actively supports candidates through the full sponsorship process.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Assistant Professor of Italian
Requisition Number: FE05070
Department Name: 8E660:Modern & Classical Lang, Lit & Cultures
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Type of Position: Faculty
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Tenure Track Status: Tenure Track
Required Education: Ph.D. in Italian Studies or a closely related field by July 2027
Required Related Experience: N/A
Required License/Registration/Certification: N/A
Job Summary:
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-eligible Assistant Professor of Italian in the Special Title Series (STS), with a specialization in Early Modern/Renaissance Italy.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching, curricular development, and student engagement. The position’s typical teaching assignment will be three courses per semester, including courses in Italian language, literature, and culture, as well as courses in Latin, Medical Terminology, and related areas. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of innovative curricula and educational opportunities that serve a broad range of undergraduate students. Responsibilities will also include supporting the Italian language program, advising and mentoring students, and contributing to study-abroad and other experiential-learning opportunities, as appropriate.
The position includes a research expectation of approximately 20% of the faculty member’s distribution of effort. The remaining approximate distribution of effort will be 70% teaching and 10% departmental services. Candidates are expected to maintain an active program of scholarship, relative to allocated effort, in their disciplinary area, teaching and pedagogy, or a combination of these areas. Expertise in pedagogy, curriculum development, or related areas of teaching and learning is desirable.
The successful candidate will also contribute to the academic life of the Department and College through service, including participation in departmental initiatives, curricular and program development, and student engagement and outreach activities.
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures is committed to interdisciplinary collaboration and scholarly engagement across a broad range of geographical interests, theoretical perspectives, and methodological approaches.
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Italian Studies or a closely related field by July 2027. This position will be a 9-month appointment with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2027.
Applicants must include the following:
1) letter of application (upload as Cover Letter)
2) CV
3) research statement (upload as specific request 1)
4) teaching statement (upload as specific request 2)
5) 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 this search should be addressed to Nels Rogers, Department Chair of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, University of Kentucky (nelsjrogers@uky.edu).
Application deadline is 12/04/2026.
Employment at the University of Kentucky 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, the University of Kentucky 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.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience:
Deadline to Apply: 12/04/2026
Open Until Filled: No
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 Professor of Italian
Requisition Number: FE05070
Department Name: 8E660:Modern & Classical Lang, Lit & Cultures
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Type of Position: Faculty
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Tenure Track Status: Tenure Track
Required Education: Ph.D. in Italian Studies or a closely related field by July 2027
Required Related Experience: N/A
Required License/Registration/Certification: N/A
Job Summary:
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, invites applications for a full-time, tenure-eligible Assistant Professor of Italian in the Special Title Series (STS), with a specialization in Early Modern/Renaissance Italy.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching, curricular development, and student engagement. The position’s typical teaching assignment will be three courses per semester, including courses in Italian language, literature, and culture, as well as courses in Latin, Medical Terminology, and related areas. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of innovative curricula and educational opportunities that serve a broad range of undergraduate students. Responsibilities will also include supporting the Italian language program, advising and mentoring students, and contributing to study-abroad and other experiential-learning opportunities, as appropriate.
The position includes a research expectation of approximately 20% of the faculty member’s distribution of effort. The remaining approximate distribution of effort will be 70% teaching and 10% departmental services. Candidates are expected to maintain an active program of scholarship, relative to allocated effort, in their disciplinary area, teaching and pedagogy, or a combination of these areas. Expertise in pedagogy, curriculum development, or related areas of teaching and learning is desirable.
The successful candidate will also contribute to the academic life of the Department and College through service, including participation in departmental initiatives, curricular and program development, and student engagement and outreach activities.
The Department of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures is committed to interdisciplinary collaboration and scholarly engagement across a broad range of geographical interests, theoretical perspectives, and methodological approaches.
Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in Italian Studies or a closely related field by July 2027. This position will be a 9-month appointment with an anticipated start date of August 1, 2027.
Applicants must include the following:
1) letter of application (upload as Cover Letter)
2) CV
3) research statement (upload as specific request 1)
4) teaching statement (upload as specific request 2)
5) 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 this search should be addressed to Nels Rogers, Department Chair of Modern and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, University of Kentucky (nelsjrogers@uky.edu).
Application deadline is 12/04/2026.
Employment at the University of Kentucky 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, the University of Kentucky 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.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities:
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience:
Deadline to Apply: 12/04/2026
Open Until Filled: No
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.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Professor Jobs at University of Kentucky
Align your credentials with U.S. academic standards
Foreign degrees are evaluated differently by U.S. universities. Have your transcripts assessed by a NACES-accredited credential evaluation service before applying, so your qualifications clearly map to the terminal degree expectations for the specific academic department.
Target departments with active faculty searches
University of Kentucky posts faculty openings through its HR portal and discipline-specific job boards like HigherEdJobs. Focus on departments that have posted tenure-track or visiting positions, as those listings signal an active hiring budget and an open sponsorship pathway.
Understand how J-1 fits into your long-term plan
Many universities initially place international faculty on J-1 Exchange Visitor status before transitioning to H-1B. If your J-1 carries a two-year home residency requirement, you'll need a waiver before H-1B sponsorship can proceed, which adds several months to your timeline.
Ask about PERM timing before accepting an offer
If you're targeting a Green Card through the EB-2 or EB-3 category, PERM labor certification requires the university to run a full recruitment process. Confirm with University of Kentucky's international services office when they typically initiate PERM relative to your start date.
Use Migrate Mate to identify open Professor roles
Faculty positions move quickly and aren't always easy to track across departments. Use Migrate Mate to browse Professor openings at University of Kentucky filtered by visa sponsorship, so you're applying to roles where international candidates are already supported.
Prepare your visa paperwork in sync with your contract
H-1B petitions for university faculty can be filed at any time of year since universities are cap-exempt employers. Coordinate with the Office of International Affairs early so your I-129 filing timeline aligns with your appointment start date and avoids gaps in work authorization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of Kentucky sponsor H-1B visas for Professors?
Yes. As a nonprofit university, University of Kentucky qualifies as a cap-exempt employer under USCIS rules, which means H-1B visa petitions for faculty can be filed year-round without waiting for the annual lottery. Professors in tenure-track, clinical, research, and visiting roles are commonly sponsored. The university's Office of International Affairs manages the filing process in coordination with hiring departments.
Which visa types are commonly used for Professor roles at University of Kentucky?
H-1B is the most common nonimmigrant visa for full-time faculty. J-1 visa Exchange Visitor status is frequently used for visiting professors, postdoctoral scholars, and short-term academic appointments. TN visa classification is available for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying academic roles. For permanent residence, University of Kentucky sponsors eligible faculty through EB-2 or EB-3 immigrant visa categories, typically initiated after an offer is confirmed.
What qualifications are expected for Professor positions at University of Kentucky?
Tenure-track Professor roles at University of Kentucky typically require a Ph.D. or terminal degree in the relevant discipline, along with a demonstrated research record, publications, and teaching experience. Clinical or professional faculty positions may accept equivalent professional credentials. Visiting or adjunct roles sometimes have more flexible requirements depending on the department. Your degree must map clearly to the role's academic field to support a specialty occupation determination for H-1B purposes.
How do I apply for Professor jobs at University of Kentucky?
Faculty positions at University of Kentucky are posted through its official HR careers portal and listed on discipline-specific academic job boards. Applications typically require a cover letter, CV, research and teaching statements, and references. You can also browse Professor openings at University of Kentucky filtered by visa sponsorship directly on Migrate Mate, which makes it easier to identify active faculty searches where international candidates are supported.
How do I plan my timeline for H-1B sponsorship as a new faculty hire?
Because the University of Kentucky is cap-exempt, there's no April 1 filing deadline to worry about. That said, USCIS standard processing for an I-129 petition takes several months, and premium processing is available if you need faster adjudication. Coordinate with the university's international services office as early as possible, ideally before your contract is signed, so your work authorization is in place on or before your appointment start date.