Professor Jobs in Kentucky
Professor jobs in Kentucky are steadily active, concentrated in higher education institutions across the state's university towns and regional campuses, with openings at every level from visiting instructor to tenured full professor. Lexington, Louisville, and Bowling Green account for the largest share of postings, anchored by employers like the University of Kentucky, the University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University. The most consistent demand is in health sciences, education, and business disciplines. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 78+ Professor jobs
Job Title: Lecturer in Retailing and Tourism Management
Requisition Number: FE05007
Department Name: 81700: Retailing & Tourism Management
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Type of Position: Faculty
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Tenure Track Status: Non-Tenure Track
Required Education
Masters’ degree with a min. of 3-5 years extensive professional experience or Ph.D in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Retailing Management or related field.
Required Related Experience
Applicants must possess an earned master’s degree with a min. of 3-5 years extensive professional experience in the event industry or Ph.D (preferred) in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Tourism, or related field by the date of appointment in order to be credentialed by our university’s accrediting body.
Required License/Registration/Certification
n/a
Job Summary
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in the HMT and MAT programs, and contribute to departmental, college, and university service activities. The department is particularly interested in candidates with expertise in event management and related fields, who can contribute to the continued expansion of event-related courses, experiential learning opportunities, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
The successful candidate will also be expected to cultivate and strengthen relationships with industry partners, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, government agencies, alumni, and other stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities for student engagement, internships, applied learning and collaborative projects.
In addition to supporting the department’s growing emphasis on event management, the successful candidate will contribute to student learning across a broad range of subject areas, including customer service, emerging technologies, and professional development. The candidate must demonstrate excellence in oral and written communication and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-based environment.
The position includes teaching twelve credit hours (four courses) during one academic semester and nine credit hours (three courses) during the other semester and may also include summer teaching assignments.
Applicants must submit a letter of application (cover letter), curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, contact information for three professional references (including telephone numbers, mailing addresses, and email addresses), a teaching portfolio, project/work samples, and a statement of career goals.
Please upload the following documents in the Specific Request Documents section:
Specific Request 1: Teaching Portfolio
Specific Request 2: Project/Work Samples
Specific Request 3:* Statement of Career Goals (maximum 3 pages)
Letters of recommendation are not required as part of the initial application. The search committee may request letters of recommendation from selected candidates, which will be solicited electronically through the system.
This position will remain open until filled. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2027.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
The successful candidate will be expected to cultivate and strengthen relationships with industry partners, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, government agencies, alumni, and other stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities for student engagement, internships, applied learning, and collaborative projects.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? Yes
Preferred Education/Experience
Applicants must possess an earned master’s degree with a min. of 3-5 years extensive professional experience in the event industry or PhD (preferred) in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Retailing Management or related field, by the date of appointment in order to be credentialed by our university’s accrediting body.
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 in Retailing and Tourism Management
Requisition Number: FE05007
Department Name: 81700: Retailing & Tourism Management
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Type of Position: Faculty
Position Time Status: Full-Time
Tenure Track Status: Non-Tenure Track
Required Education
Masters’ degree with a min. of 3-5 years extensive professional experience or Ph.D in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Retailing Management or related field.
Required Related Experience
Applicants must possess an earned master’s degree with a min. of 3-5 years extensive professional experience in the event industry or Ph.D (preferred) in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Tourism, or related field by the date of appointment in order to be credentialed by our university’s accrediting body.
Required License/Registration/Certification
n/a
Job Summary
The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in the HMT and MAT programs, and contribute to departmental, college, and university service activities. The department is particularly interested in candidates with expertise in event management and related fields, who can contribute to the continued expansion of event-related courses, experiential learning opportunities, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
The successful candidate will also be expected to cultivate and strengthen relationships with industry partners, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, government agencies, alumni, and other stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities for student engagement, internships, applied learning and collaborative projects.
In addition to supporting the department’s growing emphasis on event management, the successful candidate will contribute to student learning across a broad range of subject areas, including customer service, emerging technologies, and professional development. The candidate must demonstrate excellence in oral and written communication and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-based environment.
The position includes teaching twelve credit hours (four courses) during one academic semester and nine credit hours (three courses) during the other semester and may also include summer teaching assignments.
Applicants must submit a letter of application (cover letter), curriculum vitae, academic transcripts, contact information for three professional references (including telephone numbers, mailing addresses, and email addresses), a teaching portfolio, project/work samples, and a statement of career goals.
Please upload the following documents in the Specific Request Documents section:
Specific Request 1: Teaching Portfolio
Specific Request 2: Project/Work Samples
Specific Request 3:* Statement of Career Goals (maximum 3 pages)
Letters of recommendation are not required as part of the initial application. The search committee may request letters of recommendation from selected candidates, which will be solicited electronically through the system.
This position will remain open until filled. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2027.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
The successful candidate will be expected to cultivate and strengthen relationships with industry partners, nonprofit organizations, community leaders, government agencies, alumni, and other stakeholders to create meaningful opportunities for student engagement, internships, applied learning, and collaborative projects.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? Yes
Preferred Education/Experience
Applicants must possess an earned master’s degree with a min. of 3-5 years extensive professional experience in the event industry or PhD (preferred) in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Retailing Management or related field, by the date of appointment in order to be credentialed by our university’s accrediting body.
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 78 Professor Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Professor JobsProfessor Jobs by City in Kentucky
Where Kentucky roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Professor Job Market in Kentucky
A snapshot from current Kentucky openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Kentucky37
- University of Louisville15
- Kentucky State University6
- Northern Kentucky University6
- Western Kentucky University5
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
What Kentucky Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in professor jobs across Kentucky.
- Terminal degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or MFA) in the relevant academic discipline required
- Active teaching experience at the postsecondary level strongly preferred by Kentucky institutions
- Demonstrated research, publication, or creative scholarship record in the field
- Experience advising undergraduate or graduate students and serving on academic committees
- Ability to teach a full course load across multiple sections or modalities
- Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive pedagogy in the Kentucky academic environment
Professor Jobs in Kentucky: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a professor in Kentucky?
Becoming a professor in Kentucky typically requires earning a terminal degree in your discipline, such as a Ph.D. or Ed.D., from an accredited institution. Kentucky does not issue a state license for postsecondary professors, so hiring decisions rest with individual institutions. Most Kentucky universities and community colleges also expect candidates to demonstrate teaching experience and scholarly activity before extending a full-time offer.
Which companies hire professors in Kentucky?
Kentucky professor roles are posted by University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Kentucky State University and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Kentucky's public university system, community college network, and private liberal arts colleges collectively generate the broadest and most consistent volume of faculty openings across the state.
Which Kentucky cities have the most professor jobs?
Lexington, Louisville, and Frankfort are the Kentucky cities with the most professor openings, driven by the concentration of flagship universities, medical schools, and regional campuses in those metros. Lexington and Louisville anchor hiring because the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville are among the state's largest employers, while Bowling Green draws volume through Western Kentucky University and its surrounding community college presence.
Are there remote professor jobs in Kentucky?
Yes, but they are less common than in many other fields, since most faculty roles involve in-person instruction, lab supervision, or on-campus student engagement. About 0% of professor openings tied to Kentucky are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting limited but real flexibility. The roles most likely to offer remote or online delivery are in business, education, and technology disciplines where Kentucky institutions have built established online programs.
How can I get hired as a professor in Kentucky with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an adjunct or visiting instructor position, which Kentucky community colleges and universities use regularly to bring in candidates who are ABD or newly credentialed. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System posts adjunct roles across its sixteen campuses statewide. Building a teaching portfolio, completing a graduate teaching assistantship, and pursuing lecturer or postdoctoral roles at institutions like the University of Kentucky or Morehead State University can all establish the classroom record full-time searches require.
Where can I find and apply to professor jobs in Kentucky?
You can find and apply to professor jobs in Kentucky on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from Kentucky institutions. Search the listings, find roles that fit your discipline and experience level, and apply directly to the positions that match.
See All 78 Professor Jobs in Kentucky
Find roles in Kentucky that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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