Assistant/Associate/Full Extension Professor of Ornamental Horticulture

PhD in horticulture or plant science or closely related field is required.

Candidates are expected to possess, or be willing to develop, knowledge, and skills related to commercial ornamental horticultural production. The individual should demonstrate the ability to function as a team leader as well as within a team and to communicate effectively.

N/A

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Department of Horticulture (http://www.uky.edu/hort/) seeks to fill a 12-month, Extension Title Series, tenure eligible, position at the Assistant, Associate, or Professor rank. This position will involve all aspects of the land-grant mission and has an expected distribution of effort (DOE) of 80% Extension, 15% teaching, and 5% service, with a DOE that is subject to annual adjustment upon mutual agreement. The successful candidate will demonstrate utilization of high-quality Extension outcomes and applied research with an emphasis on pioneering approaches in Ornamental Horticulture. The earliest start date, which is negotiable, is April 1, 2027.

The ornamental and green industries represent a major component of Kentucky’s specialty crop industry and are economic drivers in urban and rural communities. As of the last USDA Census of Agriculture, the farm gate value of floriculture, bedding crops, and nursery crops in Kentucky was nearly $89 million. The sector faces escalating pressures from new and invasive pests, climate variability, water constraints, workforce limitations, and increasing pressure for environmentally responsible management. The expectations for this position are to develop a high-impact Cooperative Extension Service program centered on commercial ornamental plant production. Additionally, it is expected that this work will be focused on grower and industry needs in Kentucky, contributing to resilient landscape and production systems. This faculty member will work in an interdisciplinary environment with faculty, students, staff, and Extension professionals, and will contribute to the College’s strategic plan goals of producing innovative solutions through multidisciplinary collaboration. It is expected that this work will be funded by competitive external grants that result in peer-reviewed publications, and that the candidate will develop scholarly Extension publications and resources, as well as build, maintain, and lead impactful internal and external collaborations and partnerships.

Successful candidates will exhibit a strong desire and commitment to quality teaching and student mentorship. Currently, the teaching component will involve being the lead instructor of a single course and making contributions to at least one additional course each year. Potential course topic areas include plant propagation, identification, nursery production, and/or landscape management. Other responsibilities would include mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. The Department’s Horticultural Science undergraduate program trains the next generation of plant scientists and specialty crop producers. Departmental faculty are also involved in two nationally recognized interdisciplinary undergraduate programs: Sustainable Agriculture and Community Food Systems and Agricultural and Medical Biotechnology. The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky is part of the campus with a mission to showcase Kentucky landscapes and serve as a resource center for environmental and horticultural education, research, and conservation.

Qualifications: A PhD in horticulture or plant science or closely related field is required. Candidates are expected to possess, or be willing to develop, knowledge, and skills related to commercial ornamental horticultural production. The individual should demonstrate the ability to function as a team leader as well as within a team and to communicate effectively.

Location: University of Kentucky, Lexington Campus, Lexington, Kentucky with travel as needed.

Salary and 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.

Application: Applications should be submitted by November 30, 2026 for full consideration while the position will remain open until filled. Please use the University of Kentucky’s electronic application process to apply. The application should include a letter of interest (cover letter) that outlines the candidate’s approach to the position’s qualifications, responsibilities, and vision for innovative and impactful extension and instructional program that address existing and emerging issues in ornamental horticulture, followed by a career curriculum vita, and conclude with the full legal name, address, email, and phone number for three references (specific request 1). The selected candidate will be required to provide documentation verifying eligibility to work in the United States.

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For assistance with the electronic application process, contact HR/ Employment, phone (859) 257-9555, press 2, or email ukjobs@email.uky.edu

Dr. Rachel Rudolph

Chair, Search Committee

Department of Horticulture

N322C Agricultural Science Building North

Lexington, KY 40546-0091

Phone: (859) 257-3374

Email: rachel.rudolph@uky.edu

The Environment: The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MGCAFE) is fulfilling the land-grant promise of educational excellence, civic leadership, transformational research, and shared knowledge serving the common good. We serve the people of the Commonwealth and across the world through education, outreach, service, and research by finding solutions to improve lives today and create a sustainable future. We integrate teaching, research, and extension in our work. We recruit, retain, and graduate students who are competent, responsible, and workforce ready. For more than 130 years, MGCAFE has provided research results to the community. From traditional labs and research farms to high-tech diagnostic and research centers, we offer science-based, practical solutions that affect the everyday lives of Kentuckians and people around the world. Our Cooperative Extension programs are engaged in Kentucky’s 120 counties, identifying and addressing needs not only in agriculture and natural resources, but also 4-H and youth development, family and consumer sciences, as well as community & economic development.

The University of Kentucky is an institution with over 27,500 undergraduate and 9,500 graduate students. UK is Kentucky’s flagship university and a land grant institution. We have a university commitment to improve the lives of Kentuckians and beyond and that is why environmental stewardship and sustainability are core parts of our institution’s legacy. We are recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, a Gold levelBicycle Friendly University by The League of American Bicyclists, and are recognized as a STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) Silver Rating by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

The university is geographically near downtown Lexington, which offers the vibrancy of an urban location while being in close proximity to working landscapes and recognized wilderness areas. It is a thriving community of 320,000 with a strong commitment to quality of life, education, and the arts. Lexington is in the Bluegrass Region, an internationally acclaimed cultural landscape and agricultural region.

Candidates are expected to possess, or be willing to develop, knowledge, and skills related to commercial ornamental horticultural production. The individual should demonstrate the ability to function as a team leader as well as within a team and to communicate effectively.

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.