Position Overview

The Department of Neuroscience at the University of Kentucky (UK) invites applications for a tenure-track, full-time faculty position at the open rank (Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor). We welcome candidates at all career stages, with particular enthusiasm for recruiting early-career investigators who will grow with our expanding neuroscience community. We seek outstanding scientists, mentors and teachers working across a broad range of neuroscience disciplines. Areas of special interest include, but are not limited to: glial biology, addiction and substance use, computational neuroscience, multi-omics and data neuroscience, molecular and cellular neurobiology, neurodegenerative disease and CNS injury, neuroimmunology and neuroinflammation, or sensory, motor, and cognitive systems neuroscience. We are committed to building a strong neuroscience community that spans from molecules to behavior, and from foundational discovery to translational application. Candidates with interests that complement or bridge these areas are strongly encouraged to apply.

Research Infrastructure & Collaborative Environment

This position links extensive neuroscience resources at UK, including the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging (SBCoA), the Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC), the CNS-Met COBRE, the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research (CDAR), the MRI & Spectroscopy Center (MRISC), and the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute (KNI). Together these centers comprise one of the most integrated and well-resourced neuroscience ecosystems in the region, with active inter-center collaboration, shared core facilities, and a culture of open scientific exchange. New faculty benefit from genuine mentorship networks, seed funding mechanisms, and a community that values team science.

Qualifications

Candidates must hold a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD degree in neuroscience or a related discipline. Successful candidates at the Assistant Professor level will demonstrate: A compelling and innovative independent research program with strong potential for extramural funding Evidence of scholarly productivity (publications, preprints, presentations) Commitment to mentorship, teaching, and the training of the next generation of scientists Candidates at the Associate or Full Professor level are expected to have an established extramurally funded research program and a record of leadership in research, mentorship, and service commensurate with their career stage.

Responsibilities

Faculty members will be expected to build and sustain an innovative, extramurally funded research program, contribute to graduate and professional education in neuroscience, participate in departmental and university service, and engage with the broader UK neuroscience community across centers and institutes.

Life in Lexington, Kentucky

Lexington offers an outstanding quality of life in the heart of the Bluegrass Region – with a vibrant food, arts, and music scene, affordable cost of living well below that of comparable university cities, and ready access to world-class outdoor recreation including the Red River Gorge and Kentucky's iconic horse country. The city is family-friendly, with highly rated schools, short commute times, and welcoming neighborhoods. The University of Kentucky's more than 30,000 students, celebrated athletic programs, and deep roots in the community make Lexington a uniquely energetic place to build a career and a life.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should apply via the University of Kentucky Integrated Employment System: https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/634656 and https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/634713 Applications should include: Curriculum vitae Cover letter Research statement (current and future research plans) Teaching/Service statement (teaching and mentoring philosophy, service contributions) Names and contact information for three professional references Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with preference given to those submitted by October 1, 2026. Upon offer of employment, candidates must pass a pre-employment drug screen and national background check as required by University of Kentucky Human Resources.