The University of Kentucky (UK) invites applications for the inaugural Director of the Higgins-Neyland Companion Animal Program, an innovative and interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to advancing the understanding of the human–companion animal bond. This unique program explores the psychological, physiological, and societal dimensions of human interactions with dogs, cats, horses, and other animals, and their mutual influence on health and well-being.

 

Position Overview

 

The Director will serve as a visionary leader to establish and grow this new program into a nationally distinctive hub of research, instruction, and outreach. The successful candidate will champion interdisciplinary collaboration, drawing on the University’s robust expertise across multiple academic units and UK HealthCare. Working closely with stakeholders, the Director will foster impactful partnerships with domestic animal industries, veterinary communities, and Kentucky’s healthcare entities.

 

This position offers the rare opportunity to shape a new academic frontier—developing synergistic programs that integrate research, teaching, and extension to advance both human and companion animal health and well-being.

 

Key Responsibilities

 

• Leadership & Vision: Develop and implement a strategic roadmap for the Higgins-Neyland Companion Animal Program in consultation with a university-wide advisory committee.
• Research & Scholarship: Establish a nationally recognized research portfolio on the human–companion animal bond, with strong potential for external funding and scholarly impact.
• Instruction & Mentorship: Create innovative academic programming that integrates the study of the human–companion animal bond into UK’s curricula while mentoring the next generation of scholars.
• Engagement & Outreach: Partner with domestic animal industries, veterinary communities, and healthcare organizations to translate research into meaningful outcomes for society.
• Administration: Oversee the operation of the program, reporting to the Associate Dean for Research (Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment) for administrative matters, while maintaining an academic appointment in the relevant home department.

Salary and Benefits

 

Employment at UK is subject to fund availability and comes with comprehensive 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: https://hr.uky.edu/employment/our-benefits.

 

Application

 

· A letter of interest summarizing your qualifications, area of expertise, career goals, and vision for development of an extramurally funded program that would advance the human-companion animal bond.

· Current curriculum vitae containing names and contact information (emails and phone numbers) of at least three professional references who can address in their professional judgement (a) your performance in advancing your scholarly field, (b) the significance of the venues in which you have been published and grants you have been involved with, © your instructional accomplishments, and (d) the professional service performed. Please indicate your relationship to the reference.

· Academic Transcripts (unofficial for application – official required for appointment)

· Applications should be submitted by November 3, 2025, for full consideration while the position will remain open until filled. The anticipated start date is as soon as January 1, 2026, or as negotiated.

· All questions related to the position and expectations may be directed to Mary Beth Bracken, at marybeth.bracken@uky.edu.