Research Farm Technician III

About the role

Support Industry-Changing Equine Research Through Expert Animal Care and Farm Operations. The University of Kentucky is seeking a Research Farm Technician III to join the Department of Veterinary Science in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. This position supports the department’s research mission by providing high-quality care for approximately 300 horses, maintaining farm facilities and equipment, and assisting with musculoskeletal equine research activities. The successful candidate will play a vital role in animal welfare, research support, and daily farm operations while collaborating with faculty, researchers, staff, and students across University of Kentucky farms.

Why now? The Department of Veterinary Science continues to support critical equine research initiatives while maintaining high standards of animal care across its facilities. This role is essential to ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of research animals while supporting ongoing scientific progress. As research activities expand and collaboration across University of Kentucky farms continues, this position provides important operational and research support that helps advance discoveries benefiting horses and the equine industry.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care and husbandry for research horses, including feeding, monitoring health, administering veterinary treatments, and ensuring clean and safe housing environments.
• Perform animal handling, restraint, transportation, diagnostic sample collection, and other activities in accordance with established protocols and animal welfare standards.
• Maintain inventories of feed, veterinary supplies, hay, and animal care materials while supporting farm biosecurity practices.
• Assist with facility, pasture, fence, and equipment maintenance, including mowing, repairs, vehicle upkeep, and routine machinery inspections.
• Support musculoskeletal equine research projects through animal preparation, sample collection activities, treatment administration, facility sanitation, and protocol compliance.
• Collaborate with research staff and other University of Kentucky farm units to provide operational and research support as needed.
• Promote professional standards, customer service, workplace safety, and continuous learning.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (BA)
• 1 year of related experience
• Physical requirements: lifting, pushing, pulling with objects up to 50 lbs and sometimes more; standing, walking and working with horses and farm implements; exposure to risk of injuries from use of equipment; temperature extremes; cuts/punctures; working at heights above 4 feet; working in confined spaces; bloodborne/airborne pathogens.
• No specific license/registration/certification required.

Skills

• Knowledge of equine care, animal husbandry practices, and veterinary support techniques.
• Experience handling, restraining, transporting, and monitoring animals safely and effectively.
• Ability to collect research-related samples and follow established animal research protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Knowledge of agricultural equipment, farm operations, facility maintenance, and safety practices.
• Strong communication skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to animal welfare.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team while remaining self-motivated and dependable.
• Leadership and training skills to support coworkers and promote safe work practices.
• Preferred: experience with horses; driver’s license.

Benefits

• Opportunity to contribute to impactful musculoskeletal and equine research that advances animal health and industry practices.
• Hands-on experience working with a large equine research population and multidisciplinary research teams.
• Professional growth through training, seminars, and continued learning opportunities.
• Meaningful