Scientist I

Job Title
Scientist I

Requisition Number
RE54721

Working Title
Water Quality Technician

Department Name
81060:PLANT AND SOIL SCIENCES

Work Location
Paducah, KY

Grade Level
44

Salary Range
$43,805-70,075/year

Type of Position
Staff

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Required Education

MS

Click here for more information about equivalencies:
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Required Related Experience

No experience required.

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Lifting objects up to 50 lbs, bending, squatting, sitting for long periods of time. Regular job-related travel and ability to drive a 4X4 vehicle.

Shift

Monday- Friday 8:00AM- 5:00PM (40 hours/wk) Possible Weekend and night work as needed.

Job Summary

The Department of Plant and Soil Sciences within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (MG CAFE) seeks a full-time Field Scientist to support a USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)-funded research project focused on wetland water quality in western Kentucky.

The project evaluates the effectiveness of wetlands established through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Wetland Reserve Easement (ACEP-WRE) in reducing nutrient and sediment transport from agricultural landscapes.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research team investigating how wetland age and management influence surface water quality. Primary responsibilities include operating and maintaining water-quality monitoring equipment, collecting environmental samples, processing and managing data, and assisting with technical reporting.

Training will be provided for project-specific methods and instrumentation. The position requires periodic overnight travel within western Kentucky, with all project-related travel expenses covered. Candidates should possess, or be willing to obtain, a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) Remote Pilot Certificate to support aerial data collection activities.

A typical month will involve traveling to field sites throughout rural western Kentucky, often operating a pickup truck and trailer, conducting field sampling using an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), collecting and processing surface-water runoff samples, downloading and managing data from monitoring systems, inspecting and maintaining instrumentation, and preparing summaries and reports of field activities and data collection efforts.

The ideal candidate will possess a M.S. Degree in an agriculture, soil, water, geology, or environmental discipline, be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and comfortable working independently in outdoor environments while contributing effectively to a collaborative scientific research team.


Why Join Us
At the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, you’ll find a community that values collaboration, growth, and recognition. Benefits of joining our team include:Exceptional benefits package. A formal mentoring program to support your professional development Access to a staff development fund for continued learning and skill building Dedicated staff recognition programs that celebrate your contributions A shared commitment to making the University of Kentucky the University of, for, and with Kentucky

Join us in shaping the future of teaching and learning—where innovation meets impact.

For additional information about the Plant & Soil Sciences department please click here. To find out more about Martin-Gatton CAFE and how the college supports the mission of this being the University of, for, and with Kentucky, Click Here.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

GPS; MS Excel, MS Word or similar software; ESRI GIS; Mac OS; PC OS.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
No

Preferred Education/Experience

MS with two or more years or BS degree with four or more years field experience (farm background, geology or forestry field course, internship or outdoor field education experience, etc.) preferred.

Valid Driver’s License preferred.

Deadline to Apply
07/03/2026

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.

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.