Research Assistant Professor Jobs at University of Kentucky with Visa Sponsorship
Research Assistant Professor jobs at University of Kentucky sit at the intersection of teaching and active research, typically tied to grant-funded projects across medicine, engineering, agriculture, and social sciences. The university has a consistent track record of sponsoring international researchers through the full range of work visa and immigrant visa pathways.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Lecturer, Lewis Honors College
Requisition Number: FE04981
Department Name: 8C000: Honors College
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Type of Position: Faculty
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Tenure Track Status: Non-Tenure Track
Required Education
A terminal degree in an academic field is required (Ph.D. or MFA) by August 2027.
Required Related Experience
Evidence of excellence in teaching, dedication to Honors education, and strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
Required License/Registration/Certification
n/a
Job Summary
The Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a full-time Lecturer to begin in Fall 2027. This is an academic year (9-month), non-tenure-eligible, full-time appointment, with possibility of renewal. We seek a colleague with a terminal degree in any field. Our colleague will teach the Honors foundation seminar, HON 140 “Knowledge and Society,” and courses that engage students with the community, whether through service-learning, experiential elements, community research, or other means.
The expected teaching load is 3 courses (9 credit hours) each term (fall & spring), with a typical maximum enrollment per course of 25 students. Lecturers also do service for the college and contribute to our student focused mission of helping students to explore their purpose, develop intellectually, and lead with integrity. Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and to fostering a vibrant classroom and campus environment. Candidates with a background in community engagement should describe how they would develop engagement opportunities for students in the Lewis Honors College.
Applications must include a cover letter as well as a curriculum vitae. Please provide 2 “written course descriptions” describing community-engaged courses you would teach with the stated intended audience being students (Please upload as Specific Request 1).
Please also include the names and contact information for at least three references when prompted in the application. This information may be used to solicit reference letters from your references within the employment system.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Employment at UK comes with many rewards, focusing on the employee’s total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://www.uky.edu/hr/benefits.
For more information on the Lewis Honors College, please visit: https://www.uky.edu/honors/
Questions should be addressed to Pearl James, pearl.james@uky.edu.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
The Lewis Honors College strives for disciplinary breadth and encourages qualified candidates from all disciplines including social science and STEM fields. Evidence of excellence in teaching, dedication to Honors education, and strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
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.
Job Title: Lecturer, Lewis Honors College
Requisition Number: FE04981
Department Name: 8C000: Honors College
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Type of Position: Faculty
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Tenure Track Status: Non-Tenure Track
Required Education
A terminal degree in an academic field is required (Ph.D. or MFA) by August 2027.
Required Related Experience
Evidence of excellence in teaching, dedication to Honors education, and strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
Required License/Registration/Certification
n/a
Job Summary
The Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a full-time Lecturer to begin in Fall 2027. This is an academic year (9-month), non-tenure-eligible, full-time appointment, with possibility of renewal. We seek a colleague with a terminal degree in any field. Our colleague will teach the Honors foundation seminar, HON 140 “Knowledge and Society,” and courses that engage students with the community, whether through service-learning, experiential elements, community research, or other means.
The expected teaching load is 3 courses (9 credit hours) each term (fall & spring), with a typical maximum enrollment per course of 25 students. Lecturers also do service for the college and contribute to our student focused mission of helping students to explore their purpose, develop intellectually, and lead with integrity. Candidates must demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and to fostering a vibrant classroom and campus environment. Candidates with a background in community engagement should describe how they would develop engagement opportunities for students in the Lewis Honors College.
Applications must include a cover letter as well as a curriculum vitae. Please provide 2 “written course descriptions” describing community-engaged courses you would teach with the stated intended audience being students (Please upload as Specific Request 1).
Please also include the names and contact information for at least three references when prompted in the application. This information may be used to solicit reference letters from your references within the employment system.
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Employment at UK comes with many rewards, focusing on the employee’s total well-being and career development, with leadership striving to provide a strong work-life integration. To learn more about these benefits, please visit: https://www.uky.edu/hr/benefits.
For more information on the Lewis Honors College, please visit: https://www.uky.edu/honors/
Questions should be addressed to Pearl James, pearl.james@uky.edu.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
The Lewis Honors College strives for disciplinary breadth and encourages qualified candidates from all disciplines including social science and STEM fields. Evidence of excellence in teaching, dedication to Honors education, and strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
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.
See all 97+ Research Assistant Professor Jobs at University of Kentucky
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Assistant Professor Jobs at University of Kentucky.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Research Assistant Professor Jobs at University of Kentucky
Align your CV to UK's research priorities
University of Kentucky's Research Assistant Professor postings are almost always tied to funded labs or centers. Tailor your CV to match the specific grant focus or principal investigator's work, not just the job title. Generic applications rarely advance.
Confirm your degree meets specialty occupation standards
For H-1B sponsorship, USCIS requires your degree to directly relate to the role's duties. For a research-focused academic position, your doctoral credentials and field of study need to clearly map to the lab's research area before your employer files.
Ask the hiring department about visa pathway early
At UK, different departments handle international hires differently. Some route sponsorship through the Center for International Programs, others move faster through departmental HR. Ask directly during the offer stage which pathway applies to your role and expected start date.
Factor PERM timelines into your start date negotiation
If you're targeting a permanent research position and the role leads to an EB-2 or EB-3 Green Card, DOL's PERM labor certification can take 12 to 18 months. Negotiate your start date with enough runway to begin the process without jeopardizing your current status.
Use Migrate Mate to find open Research Assistant Professor roles
University of Kentucky posts Research Assistant Professor positions across multiple departments, and they don't all appear at the same time. Use Migrate Mate to browse current openings filtered by visa sponsorship eligibility so you're not manually tracking scattered postings.
Prepare your J-1 waiver documentation before accepting an offer
Many international researchers arrive at UK on a J-1 exchange visitor visa, which carries a two-year home residency requirement. If you're subject to this rule, you'll need a waiver before transitioning to H-1B status. Start gathering your documentation before the offer stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does University of Kentucky sponsor H-1B visas for Research Assistant Professors?
Yes, University of Kentucky sponsors H-1B visas for Research Assistant Professor roles. These positions typically qualify as specialty occupations given their requirement for a doctorate or equivalent in a specific research field. UK's international services office coordinates the filing with the department, and sponsorship is generally initiated after a formal offer is extended.
Which visa types are commonly used for Research Assistant Professor roles at University of Kentucky?
H-1B is the most common work visa for Research Assistant Professors at UK. J-1 visa researcher status is also widely used, particularly for postdoctoral transitions. For permanent roles, UK supports EB-2 and EB-3 Green Card sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process. F-1 OPT and TN visas are also accepted where applicable to the candidate's background.
What qualifications are expected for Research Assistant Professor positions at University of Kentucky?
Most Research Assistant Professor postings at UK require a doctoral degree in a field directly relevant to the lab or research center hiring. Active grant involvement, a publication record, and demonstrated ability to contribute to ongoing funded research are standard expectations. Some positions in clinical or applied sciences also require licensure or prior industry research experience.
How do I apply for Research Assistant Professor jobs at University of Kentucky?
Applications are submitted through UK's official HR portal, where each posting lists the required materials, typically a CV, cover letter, research statement, and references. You can also browse Research Assistant Professor openings at University of Kentucky that are open to visa sponsorship directly on Migrate Mate, which filters listings by sponsorship eligibility and keeps the results current.
How do I manage my visa status during the hiring process at University of Kentucky?
The timeline between offer acceptance and your first day matters significantly. If you're transitioning from OPT or another visa status, confirm your current authorization end date with UK's Center for International Programs as early as possible. H-1B petitions must be filed before your current status lapses, and cap-subject cases require USCIS selection in the annual lottery, which runs in March for an October 1 start.