Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology

Job Title
Assistant Professor of Plant Pathology

Requisition Number
FE04989

Working Title
Extension Plant Pathologist, Specialty Crops: Assistant Extension Professor of Plant Pathology

Department Name
81120:PLANT PATHOLOGY

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Type of Position
Faculty

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Tenure Track Status
Tenure Track

Required Education

PhD in Plant Pathology or related discipline

Required Related Experience

Demonstrated experience in applied plant pathology research and plant pathology extension and outreach

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Job Summary

Assistant Extension Professor of Plant Pathology, Specialty Crops Disease Management, twelve-month, tenure-eligible appointment, extension/service (75%), research (25%).

The Department of Plant Pathology at the University of Kentucky invites applicants for a tenure-eligible extension/research faculty position focused on field-grown fruit, vegetable, and tobacco pathology. The position is located on the main campus of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY. The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized Extension program and conduct translational research on pathogens of these crops. We seek candidates that will use innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to conduct impactful applied research relevant to stakeholder needs.

As part of a team of Extension personnel within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and statewide, this individual will develop and implement educational/outreach programs that complement and enhance existing extension and research programs, supporting statewide county-based extension professionals and other stakeholder groups pertaining to specialty crop disease management. The successful candidate will actively seek external and competitive funding opportunities and conduct problem-solving research to provide research-based disease management recommendations to stakeholders, cooperating in multi-disciplinary teams with relevant collaborators. The faculty member will be responsive to the educational and applied research needs of Kentucky farmers, commodity groups, Extension agents, and industry.

The incumbent will participate in mentoring graduate students in the Integrated Plant and Soils Sciences graduate program, will be expected to contribute to institutional service and the missions of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and 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 30,000 undergraduate and 10,000 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.

QUESTIONS AND/OR NOMINATIONS:
Dr. Kiersten Wise
Professor and Search Committee Chair
348 University Dr, PO Box 469
Princeton, KY 42445
Email: Kiersten.wise@uky.edu
Phone: 859-562-1338

OR:
Dr. Gary Munkvold
Professor and Department Chair
1405 Veterans Drive
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40546
Email: Gary.Munkvold@uky.edu

APPLICATION:
Applications should be submitted by October 9, 2026, for full consideration while the position will remain open until filled. The anticipated interview period is early November to mid-December. The anticipated start date is March 2027.

Please upload the following documents:
(1) A cover letter that outlines your experience and qualifications
(2) A statement that describes your vision for developing and implementing an innovative, impactful Extension and applied research program that addresses existing and emerging issues affecting fruit, vegetable, and tobacco crops in Kentucky (Writing Sample)
(3) The names, addresses, emails, and phone numbers for three references (Specific Request 1)
(4) Curriculum Vita

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

The successful applicant must have a PhD in Plant Pathology or a related discipline with demonstrated experience in applied research in disease management; excellent oral and written communication skills; use of common computer technologies and social media; and experience with extension and outreach. Post-doctoral training, experience as a member of a multidisciplinary team, and expertise in specialty crops are desirable, but not essential. Applicants should have experience in scientific communication and the complementarity of research and Extension programming.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

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.