Research Assistant Jobs at University of Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship
Research Assistant jobs at University of Kentucky span faculty-led labs, grant-funded projects, and graduate research programs across disciplines from biomedical sciences to social policy. UK has an established international hiring process and routinely supports visa sponsorship for qualified Research Assistant candidates, including those on student work authorization and employment-based pathways.
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Job Title: Assistant, Associate, or Professor in Center for Oral Health Research and Division of Public Health
Requisition Number: FE04945
Department Name: 7A005:RESEARCH & GRADUATE STUDIES
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Type of Position: Faculty
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Tenure Track Status: Tenure Track
Required Education
This position requires a dental degree (DMD or DDS) or dental health provider credentials.
Required Related Experience
Since this is a tenure track line, ability and experience in research conduct is also important and required for this position.
Required License/Registration/Certification
N/A
Job Summary
POSITION DESCRIPTION
This faculty member will participate in the academic, research and service programs in the Center for Oral Health Research to and help develop partnerships, and programs to educate the future dental professionals, help reduce health disparities and increase research funding. Important collaborative leadership relationships are with the Division of Public health, the UK College of Public Health, Medicine, and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. This individual will work with other faculty and staff in the Division and other Colleges to increase funding to strengthen educational, service and research programs for UKCD and to improve overall scholarly productivity for the Center, consistent with the University’s goals to achieve top twenty status.
Responsibilities
The faculty member reports directly to the Associate Dean for Research (main report), as well as to the Division Chief of Public Health Dentistry. The duties of the position include:
- To participate in the teaching activities of the Division of Public Health Dentistry and Center of Oral Health Research, including graduate program courses and the predoctoral basic science courses.
- To co-direct graduate programs courses related to research conduct and translational sciences.
- To oversee and participate in the research activities of the Center for Oral Health Research.
- To collaborate with the division chief the public health and or dental care services in community based settings as part of dental outreach programs.
- To oversee and participate in funding procurement activities for research and public health services.
PERCENTAGE OF TIME AND EFFORT (DOE)
Instruction 30-40%
Research, Scholarship 40-50%
Service 3-5%
Administration 10-20%
Professional Development and other creative activities 10%
TOTAL 100%
CRITERIA FOR APPOINTMENT AND/OR PROMOTION
Special Title Series/Academic Clinician Scientist
Assistant Professor
- Post DMD/DDS and postgraduate training with important commitment to clinical service and academic community.
- Evidence of or potential for a high level of clinical competence in a clinical or public health area. Use of innovative approaches, technologies, instrumentation, or systems of patient care in a clinical or public health discipline.
- Evidence of or potential for recognition by peers and patients as an outstanding clinician or public health practitioner. Evidence of a developing leadership role in a clinical service or dental health system. Active participation in local, regional, or national professional organizations.
- Evidence of or potential for recognition by dental students, residents, fellows, other learners, and peers for excellence in teaching.
- Evidence of or potential for scholarly communications, such as clinical observations, case reports, analytic studies, reviews, policy reports, chapters, clinical manuals, and treatment guidelines.
Associate Professor
- Excellent service as assistant professor at UKCD (or its equivalent elsewhere) with record of excellence in clinical and academic community service and teaching.
- Evidence of advancement of skills/knowledge in the field as recognized by peers, programs, certification or advanced degree(s).
- Emerging regional or national reputation as a clinical authority in a clinical (generalist or specialist) or public health field.
- Introduces and evaluates new, innovative approaches locally and develops standards for patient care and/or public health practice. Has collaborative role in clinical trials and clinical investigations.
- Emerging reputation for excellence in clinical or public health practice.
- Recognition as an excellent teacher at regional level. Service as role model of a practicing dentist for students, residents, and fellows.
- Continuing publications of important reviews, analytic studies, chapters, and educational textbooks as well as clinical or public health observations. Scholarly activity may be demonstrated in a variety of forms including written form, audio and video learning aids, and computer-based material. Evidence that candidate has stimulated trainees and colleagues to prepare clinical and/or public health papers and reviews. These activities may include engagement with communities outside the University.
Professor
- Excellent service as associate professor at UKCD (or its equivalent elsewhere) with outstanding accomplishments as clinician and a teacher, as well as service to academic community.
- Evidence of advancement of skills/knowledge in the field as recognized by peers, programs, certification or advanced degree(s).
- Development or introduction and evaluation of new approaches to patient care or public health practice. Ongoing collaborative role in clinical trials or clinical investigation.
- Development of national or international reputation for excellence in clinical or public health practice, and as an authority in a clinical field or public health or both.
- Significant leadership role in provision of clinical or public health care in health care system.
- Leadership role in professional societies, with active participation in development of the societies’ programs or policies. Academic recognition by award of honors by professional societies.
- Recognition as an outstanding teacher. Leadership role and significant contributions to teaching programs at local, regional, and national levels. Evidence of service as effective role model and mentor for dental students, trainees, and colleagues.
- Publications of major reviews, chapters, and educational textbooks, as well as clinical or public health observations and analytic studies. Important impact on and participation in development of national standards for patient care or public health practice.
- Continuing dissemination of clinical and/or public health expertise in written form, by multimedia learning aids, or through computer-based material. These accomplishments may include engagement with communities outside the University.
In a discipline that aligns with the needs of the Department or College
These guidelines are to be used in conjunction with the definitions and examples of scholarship and excellence, and the Statements of Evidence provided in the College of Dentistry Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure procedures.
The University of Kentucky’s Statement on Benefits: 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’ retirement plans, medical coverage, and life insurance. In addition, UK 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
A master’s degree in public health or experience with Public health service and statistics is preferred, along with knowledge of basic science curriculum and integration science for dental students.
Experience with an academic institution and teaching is also preferable.
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 regulation 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 Research Assistant Jobs at University of Kentucky
Align your degree field to the research area
UK Research Assistant postings typically require a degree directly related to the lab or project focus. A biomedical engineering degree supports a life sciences role; an economics degree supports a policy research position. Match matters more than rank when USCIS evaluates specialty occupation.
Target faculty-posted positions over HR-only listings
Many UK Research Assistant openings are driven by individual principal investigators with active grants. Reaching out to faculty whose published work aligns with your background can surface positions before they appear on the central careers portal.
Use OPT early to build your UK employment record
Starting as a Research Assistant on F-1 OPT gives UK's international office time to build your sponsorship file before your OPT window closes. STEM OPT extensions allow up to 36 months total, creating a realistic runway for H-1B cap registration.
Confirm grant funding status before accepting an offer
UK Research Assistant roles are often tied to external grant cycles. A position funded through a multi-year NIH or NSF grant is more likely to support a full H-1B petition and PERM process than one funded on a single-year departmental budget.
File H-1B registration in October for an April start
USCIS opens H-1B cap registration each March. Coordinate with UK's Visa and Immigration Services office by October the prior year so your employer registration, prevailing wage determination, and Labor Condition Application are ready before the window opens.
Search Research Assistant openings through Migrate Mate
UK posts Research Assistant roles across multiple systems and departments. Use Migrate Mate to filter for currently open positions at UK that are eligible for visa sponsorship, so you're applying to roles already structured to support international candidates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of Kentucky sponsor H-1B visas for Research Assistants?
Yes. University of Kentucky sponsors H-1B visas for Research Assistant positions where the role qualifies as a specialty occupation and funding supports the full petition process. UK's Visa and Immigration Services office coordinates the Labor Condition Application with the DOL and files the I-129 petition with USCIS. Roles tied to long-term grant funding are the most consistent pathway to H-1B sponsorship.
How do I apply for Research Assistant jobs at University of Kentucky?
Applications go through UK's central careers portal at uky.edu/hr/jobs, where Research Assistant openings are listed by department and funding source. Some positions are posted by individual faculty labs and may require a direct expression of interest alongside the formal application. Migrate Mate also aggregates UK Research Assistant roles filtered by sponsorship eligibility, which simplifies the search if you need work authorization support.
Which visa types does University of Kentucky commonly use for Research Assistant roles?
UK supports several visa categories for Research Assistant hires. F-1 OPT and CPT are common entry points for current students and recent graduates. J-1 visa exchange visitor status is used for research scholars in specific programs. H-1B is the primary path for longer-term employment. For roles leading to permanent positions, UK has supported EB-2 and EB-3 Green Card sponsorship, and TN visa status is available for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying research fields.
What qualifications are expected for Research Assistant roles at University of Kentucky?
Requirements vary by department, but most Research Assistant roles expect at least a relevant bachelor's degree, with graduate-level positions typically requiring active enrollment in or completion of a master's or doctoral program. Lab-specific technical skills, familiarity with research methodologies in the relevant field, and prior research experience, whether through coursework, capstone projects, or previous lab work, are weighted heavily in the selection process.
How do I time my application if I need H-1B sponsorship to start a Research Assistant role at UK?
The H-1B cap registration opens each March for an October 1 start date. To meet that timeline, you need an offer and a completed Labor Condition Application filed with the DOL several weeks before USCIS registration opens. Starting conversations with UK's Visa and Immigration Services office by the prior fall gives enough lead time. F-1 OPT can bridge the gap if your work authorization allows you to begin before cap-subject H-1B status takes effect.