Assistant Professor (Special Title) of Library and Information Science

Job Description

The College of Communication and Information at the University of Kentucky invites applications for the position of Assistant Professor (Special Title) of Library and Information Science. This is a nine-month, tenure-track position reporting directly to the School Director with appointment at the rank of assistant professor. Tenure-eligible means candidates must first meet the prescribed criteria per Administrative Regulation 2:2-1 and statements of evidence to be granted tenure. The anticipated start date is August 16, 2026.

Responsibilities:

Candidates will be expected to teach a 3-3 teaching load in Library and Information Science, with opportunities to teach across the School’s graduate and undergraduate programs. This position will have an initial distribution of effort of 65% teaching, 10-25% research, and 10-25% service. Effort distributions are set annually based on the unit’s needs. Faculty are expected to teach, advise students, oversee student practicums, maintain a personal research program, participate in professional activities, and serve on university committees.

About the School:

The University of Kentucky’s School of Information Science, an interdisciplinary community of scholars and professionals, brings together communication, information, instruction, and technology. Students learn to leverage knowledge and skills to become critical and informed members of varied communities. We model and foster equitable and human-centered approaches to problem solving, innovative research, information access and synthesis, and responsible leadership.

The School of Information Science offers two online master’s degrees (library science and information communication technology), an undergraduate major in information communication technology (including an online degree offering), and an online minor in information studies. Additionally, the School of Information Science includes the Instructional Communication and Research group, which teaches university core courses in multi-modal communication to incoming students. The School boasts an impressive cadre of internationally recognized faculty who are recipients of multiple prestigious awards and fellowships.

About the College:

The College of Communication and Information is composed of two schools (School of Information Science and School of Journalism and Media), two departments (Department of Communication and Department of Integrated Strategic Communication), and interdisciplinary master’s and PhD programs. More than 100 full-time faculty lead nearly 2,300 undergraduate majors and 400 graduate students while also teaching in the university’s core curriculum and serving students pursuing minors and certificates in the college. The college also houses University of Kentucky’s independent student newspaper, The Kentucky Kernel, and the championship winning Intercollegiate Debate Team.

About the University:

Located in the vibrant city of Lexington, the University of Kentucky is a public, land-grant institution that plays a critical leadership role in promoting wide access to education, economic development, and human well-being. The campus is home to 37,000 students and more than 2,500 faculty and 14,000 staff members. The university is one of just eight in the country with a major academic health center and a full spectrum of academic colleges and professional schools on one contiguous campus. As such, the University of Kentucky is an incubator for interdisciplinary research. These collaborations allow researchers to address the rapidly changing needs of a global society.

Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with several 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: www.uky.edu/HR/benefits.

About Lexington:

Featured on the U.S. News & World Report’s list of best places to live in 2022, the City of Lexington is a great place to not only live but also work and study. With a population of roughly 320,000, Lexington offers both the warmth and lower cost of living of a small city and the amenities you would enjoy in a larger city, including the arts, cultural events, and a thriving dining scene. https://www.visitlex.com/

Application materials should include a letter of application that briefly summarizes background, qualifications and interest in the position (attach as cover letter); a curriculum vita; a brief research statement reviewing focus, expertise, accomplishments, and goals (attach as Specific Request 1); a brief teaching statement including philosophy of teaching and evidence of teaching excellence (attach as Specific Request 2); and contact information for three references when prompted in the application.

Preferred and Required Qualifications

We are looking for qualified faculty members to enhance teaching, research, and service in librarianship in our fully online, ALA-accredited master’s program. Successful applicants will work in a collaborative and interdisciplinary setting, engaging with colleagues, students, and community partners to influence the field in this Lexington-based position. We especially encourage individuals who offer fresh perspectives and show promise for leadership in teaching and professional practice within librarianship, including, but not limited to, archives, health librarianship, school librarianship, or special libraries. An earned Ph.D. (or ABD status) in library and information science is preferred, but candidates with extensive professional experience of over 10 years and a master’s degree in Library and Information Science will also be considered.

Application Details

Apply via the UK Jobs website. Questions regarding the position may be directed to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Maria Cahill at maria.cahill@uky.edu.

Application Deadline

Application review will begin on April 8, 2026, and continue until the position is filled.