Extension Agronomic Entomologist: Open-Rank Extension Professor of Entomology, Field Crops Pest Management at University of Kentucky – Lexington, Kentucky

PhD in Entomology or a related discipline

Demonstrated experience in applied ecology and integrated pest management; excellent oral and written communication skills; use of common computer technologies and social media; and experience with extension and outreach.

None

POSITION: Open-Rank Extension Professor of Entomology, Field Crops Pest Management, twelve- month, tenure-eligible appointment, extension/service (75%), research (25%).

DESCRIPTION: The Department of Entomology at the University of Kentucky is seeking a broadly trained entomologist or applied ecologist who will address the integrated management of arthropod pests of agronomic crops (corn, soybeans, small grains, forage, hemp, etc.) and coordination of Extension IPM programs. This position is located at the UK Research and Education Center (UKREC) at Princeton, KY (https://ukrec.mgcafe.uky.edu/). The UKREC is home to more than 50 faculty and staff, representing eight departments in the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. The newly renovated UKREC offers state-of-the-art laboratory and field research facilities. Areas of extension and research emphasis could include development and sustainable use of IPM tactics, enhancement of IPM systems and adoption, insect vector-plant pathogen-crop interactions, development of pest monitoring networks, improvement of sampling methods, management of invasive species, remote sensing, and precision agriculture.

As part of a team of Extension Entomologists, this individual will develop and implement educational/outreach programs to support statewide county-based extension personnel and other stakeholder groups pertaining to grain crop arthropod management, seek funding for and conduct problem-solving research to provide research-based insect management recommendations to stakeholders, and cooperate in multi-disciplinary agronomic crop teams and with relevant commodity specialists. The individual is expected to develop an extension education program that complements and enhances existing extension and research programs, collaborates with inter-disciplinary and/or inter-institutional teams, including those developing 4-H curriculum, participates in mentoring of graduate students and the graduate education program in the Department and College, and actively pursues external funding opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS: The successful applicant must have a PhD in Entomology or a related discipline with demonstrated experience in applied ecology and integrated pest 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 one or more grain, forage, hemp and tobacco commodity areas are desirable, but not essential.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Employment at UK comes with 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. Learn more about these benefits.

The Environment:The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (M-G CAFE) 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, CAFE 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 23,000 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.

Applicants: To apply for this position, please complete the Employment Application and upload the required documents. Applicants should submit a CV, statement of extension and research interests (Specific Request 1), list of publications with up to (5) selected reprints (Specific Request 2), names and addresses of four individuals who may be contacted for letters of reference who can address in their professional judgement your performance in advancing your scholarly field, significance of the venues in which you have been published, the grants you have been involved with, instructional accomplishments, and service performed(Specific Request 3). Please also indicate your reference relationship, and an application letter describing background and expertise specifically related to this extension/research position at the University of Kentucky (Cover Letter).

APPLICATION: Screening of applications will start on May 18th, while the position will remain open until filled. The anticipated interview period is May-June. The anticipated start date is August 1, 2026. Please use the University of Kentucky’s electronic application process to apply.

QUESTIONS AND/OR NOMINATIONS TO:

Dr. Ric Bessin

Chair, Search Committee

Professor and Extension Specialist

Department of Entomology

University of Kentucky

Ric.Bessin@uky.edu

Post-doctoral training, experience as a member of a multidisciplinary team, and expertise in one or more grain, forage, hemp and tobacco commodity areas are desirable, but not essential.

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.