Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture - Extension Series

Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture - Extension Series

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment University of Kentucky Full-time faculty position available: January 1, 2027 (negotiable) Rank: Assistant Professor– Extension Title Series (Tenure-eligible) Application Reviews begin: October 1, 2026 (applications accepted until position is filled) The Department of Landscape Architecture, in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, at the University of Kentucky invites applications for a 12-month, tenure-eligible faculty position in the extension title series at the rank of assistant professor. The successful candidate will develop extension programming with a teaching and research agenda intellectually focusing on community adaptation and resiliency related to hazard mitigation, disaster adaptation, and community preparedness through landscape architectural design processes for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The new faculty member will collaborate with multiple college and university faculty, extension specialists, and agents to provide community assistance for natural and cultural resource planning, addressing landscape performance and a range of complex issues, specific to the Commonwealth. Scholarship in this position should center upon proof-of-concept regarding novel adaptation applications of geospatial analysis and other techniques, applied research, and human/landscape interaction and conservation of resources. This position has an expected distribution of effort (DoE) of approximately 75% extension, 20% instruction (approximately 6-credit hours), and 5% college/university service. The Department seeks a colleague who can demonstrate the potential for success in a land grant university environment through extension, instruction, research, and service to the university, profession, and Commonwealth. Development of a documented record of scholarly productivity through peer-reviewed publications, extension program delivery, creative works, and external funding is essential for promotion and tenure. The accredited undergraduate landscape architecture program (BSLA) emphasizes creativity, technical competence, public participation, and environmental responsibility. The curriculum incorporates external experiences for students through internships, research experiences, service-learning projects, and international study programs. The Department of Landscape Architecture has a tradition of community engagement utilizing multiple studios that incorporate varied service-learning projects. Current faculty scholarship and service focus includes community design, cultural landscapes, design pedagogy, geospatial analysis, green infrastructure, and nature play. The Department resides in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, which houses complementary strengths and collaborative opportunities within the environmental sciences, community development, biosystems engineering, horticulture, and other areas. The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden of Kentucky, and many other off-campus facilities enrich the Department's teaching, learning, and research environments. The University of Kentucky is a rapidly growing university with approximately 25,000 undergraduate and 8,000 graduate and professional studies students. UK is the Commonwealth's flagship university and a land grant institution. The University is positioned near downtown Lexington, offering students and faculty the vibrancy of an urban location and the immediacy of Lexington as a learning laboratory. Lexington is centered in the Bluegrass Ecoregion, an internationally acclaimed cultural landscape and agricultural region. It is a thriving and growing community of 325,000 with a strong commitment to quality of life, education, and the arts. Candidates must hold an accredited degree in landscape architecture. In addition, the candidate must hold a doctoral degree. Evidence of scholarly and practically applied activity demonstrating community engagement regarding climate resilience, hazard mitigation, disaster adaptation, and community preparedness should be presented. Effective visualization and communication should be evident in the application submittal. Landscape architecture licensure or related professional certification is preferred. Salaries and benefits at the University of Kentucky are competitive. You are eligible for a generous benefits package as a University of Kentucky faculty member with many rewards, focusing on your total well-being. Benefit options include health, dental, and vision insurance. The University offers a variety of wellness and well-being programs. Additional information and updates to benefits can be found at: www.uky.edu/HR/benefitsReview of applications will begin on October 14, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for the position is as early as January 1, 2027, not later than July 1, 2027. Please use the University of Kentucky's electronic application process to apply. In your uploaded documents (max. 10Mb each) please include a letter of interest describing your philosophy in community adaptation and resiliency related to natural hazard mitigation. The letter of interest should also address your vision for integrating extension programming and teaching scholarship related to the described position. Additionally, upload your CV, portfolio of works/teaching outcomes (upload as Specific Request 1), and the names and contact information for three (3) references. The portfolio should contain professional work, scholarship, and teaching effectiveness as relevant to your background. Questions: Dr. Christopher Sass, Department Chair, chris.sass@uky.edu