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.
Find Research Assistant Professor Jobs at University of KentuckyOverview
Showing 5 of 89+ Research Assistant Professor Jobs at University of Kentucky
See all 89+ 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 JobsJob Title: Assistant Professor of Legal Research and Writing
Requisition Number: FE05000
Department Name: 8K100:Law Instruction
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Type of Position: Faculty
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Tenure Track Status: Non-Tenure Track
Required Education
Qualified candidates will have a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
Required Related Experience
Qualified candidates will have a distinguished academic record, strong analytical, writing, and research skills, and substantial legal-practice experience.
Required License/Registration/Certification
N/A
Job Summary
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ROSENBERG COLLEGE OF LAW invites applications for a full-time faculty member to teach in our Legal Research and Writing (LRW) program beginning in August 2027. The position is in the clinical title series, and thus it is non-tenure eligible. It will be a 9-month appointment corresponding with the University’s fall and spring semesters.
The new faculty member will usually teach two sections of the first-year LRW courses (typical section size ranges from 18 to 22 students). The first-year LRW curriculum involves two in-person courses taught over two semesters, and it covers the fundamentals of legal research, legal analysis, legal writing, and legal citation. The three-credit fall course focuses on predictive writing with a brief introduction to client correspondence, and the three-credit spring course focuses on persuasive writing with a brief introduction to oral advocacy. Each course also includes a legal research component that is taught by a library faculty member. After teaching the first-year LRW courses, the faculty member will have an opportunity to teach upper-level writing courses (typical section size is 16), depending on class size and program needs.
The LRW program is a director-led program that values faculty collaboration and independence. That means that while faculty who teach in the program work together on curriculum design for the first-year LRW courses, they are encouraged to bring their own teaching styles and ideas to their classrooms and learners. As such, we are especially interested in student-focused colleagues who are committed to excellence in teaching legal writing, enjoy working collaboratively, and wish to contribute to curricular innovation discussions, including in connection with a recent increase in credit hours for the first-year LRW courses (from four to six total hours).
The position offers an initial appointment as Assistant Professor of Legal Research and Writing for a term not to exceed three years. After the initial appointment period and a review process, the successful candidate will be eligible for a renewable, five-year appointment. While the primary distribution of effort is teaching, the position also includes engaging in professional activity and service. Clinical title series faculty receive a Faculty Development Allowance for expenses related to professional development efforts, including travel and registration expenses associated with academic conferences. They are also eligible to receive grants for summer research pending available funds.
The Rosenberg College of Law is an important part of a major research university and offers a collegial and supportive atmosphere for its faculty, staff, and students. Applicants should have a J.D. or equivalent law degree, a record of high academic achievement, strong analytical and writing skills, and legal-practice and/or teaching experience that demonstrates the potential for excellence in teaching legal analysis and legal writing. Salary for this position will be commensurate with experience.
To receive consideration for this position, applicants must apply through the University of Kentucky’s Integrated Employment System, where they should submit the following: a letter of interest, a resume or CV, a list of three professional references with contact information, and a writing sample (appropriate samples include publications in legal or academic journals, legal briefs that are edited for confidentiality as needed, or other similar works that showcase analytical and writing skills). This position will remain open until filled. For best consideration, please submit a complete application by Friday, October 9, 2026.
Please send any questions to Faculty Appointments Committee Chair John Blevins, jbl272@uky.edu, or by mail at the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law, 620 South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40506-0048.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Candidates must also possess a commitment to students and to teaching in the legal writing field, which involves significant student interaction and evaluation of students’ written work.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
Substantial legal-practice is strongly preferred.
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: Assistant Professor of Legal Research and Writing
Requisition Number: FE05000
Department Name: 8K100:Law Instruction
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Type of Position: Faculty
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Tenure Track Status: Non-Tenure Track
Required Education
Qualified candidates will have a J.D. degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
Required Related Experience
Qualified candidates will have a distinguished academic record, strong analytical, writing, and research skills, and substantial legal-practice experience.
Required License/Registration/Certification
N/A
Job Summary
THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY ROSENBERG COLLEGE OF LAW invites applications for a full-time faculty member to teach in our Legal Research and Writing (LRW) program beginning in August 2027. The position is in the clinical title series, and thus it is non-tenure eligible. It will be a 9-month appointment corresponding with the University’s fall and spring semesters.
The new faculty member will usually teach two sections of the first-year LRW courses (typical section size ranges from 18 to 22 students). The first-year LRW curriculum involves two in-person courses taught over two semesters, and it covers the fundamentals of legal research, legal analysis, legal writing, and legal citation. The three-credit fall course focuses on predictive writing with a brief introduction to client correspondence, and the three-credit spring course focuses on persuasive writing with a brief introduction to oral advocacy. Each course also includes a legal research component that is taught by a library faculty member. After teaching the first-year LRW courses, the faculty member will have an opportunity to teach upper-level writing courses (typical section size is 16), depending on class size and program needs.
The LRW program is a director-led program that values faculty collaboration and independence. That means that while faculty who teach in the program work together on curriculum design for the first-year LRW courses, they are encouraged to bring their own teaching styles and ideas to their classrooms and learners. As such, we are especially interested in student-focused colleagues who are committed to excellence in teaching legal writing, enjoy working collaboratively, and wish to contribute to curricular innovation discussions, including in connection with a recent increase in credit hours for the first-year LRW courses (from four to six total hours).
The position offers an initial appointment as Assistant Professor of Legal Research and Writing for a term not to exceed three years. After the initial appointment period and a review process, the successful candidate will be eligible for a renewable, five-year appointment. While the primary distribution of effort is teaching, the position also includes engaging in professional activity and service. Clinical title series faculty receive a Faculty Development Allowance for expenses related to professional development efforts, including travel and registration expenses associated with academic conferences. They are also eligible to receive grants for summer research pending available funds.
The Rosenberg College of Law is an important part of a major research university and offers a collegial and supportive atmosphere for its faculty, staff, and students. Applicants should have a J.D. or equivalent law degree, a record of high academic achievement, strong analytical and writing skills, and legal-practice and/or teaching experience that demonstrates the potential for excellence in teaching legal analysis and legal writing. Salary for this position will be commensurate with experience.
To receive consideration for this position, applicants must apply through the University of Kentucky’s Integrated Employment System, where they should submit the following: a letter of interest, a resume or CV, a list of three professional references with contact information, and a writing sample (appropriate samples include publications in legal or academic journals, legal briefs that are edited for confidentiality as needed, or other similar works that showcase analytical and writing skills). This position will remain open until filled. For best consideration, please submit a complete application by Friday, October 9, 2026.
Please send any questions to Faculty Appointments Committee Chair John Blevins, jbl272@uky.edu, or by mail at the University of Kentucky Rosenberg College of Law, 620 South Limestone, Lexington, KY 40506-0048.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Candidates must also possess a commitment to students and to teaching in the legal writing field, which involves significant student interaction and evaluation of students’ written work.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
Substantial legal-practice is strongly preferred.
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 89+ 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.