Assistant Professor, Agricultural Markets, Trade, and Rural Development Policy

Virginia Tech•Blacksburg, VA

23d

About The Position

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track position focused on agricultural markets, trade, and rural development policy. This is a 9-month academic-year appointment with a 50% research and 50% Extension assignment. The successful candidate will maintain a visible, nationally recognized, externally funded applied research and Extension program, with emphasis on communicating the effects of proposed policies and market changes to stakeholders across Virginia. International engagement and recognition are encouraged and expected as the candidate’s career advances. Summer activities are expected to be funded through external grants or other mechanisms. The candidate will collaborate with colleagues in the department, the Center for Agricultural Trade, and other college departments to develop Extension and applied research programs integrating market, policy, and trade analysis into local food systems and rural development initiatives. The role also works closely with Extension agents, specialists, and field staff to develop visible, effective programs. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the candidate will connect quantitative analysis with applied Extension work addressing market, trade, and policy impacts on Virginia’s rural communities, and contribute to CALS communication and public policy outreach supporting rural economic growth and resilience. The candidate is expected to build and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders such as government, industry, nonprofits, producer groups, agricultural lenders, and supply chain businesses. The position includes expectations for excellence in grantsmanship, timely communication of findings through peer-reviewed publications and Extension outlets, and student mentoring. Occasional travel for meetings and conferences is required.

Requirements

Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics, Agribusiness, Regional Science, or a closely related discipline by the appointment start date.
Demonstrated ability or potential to publish peer-reviewed research, Extension, and teaching materials.
Skills and experience applying regional economic and international trade models in economic analysis.
Demonstrated ability or potential to communicate and synthesize complex economic analyses for a wide range of audiences.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing and delivering economics-based educational programs to Extension agents, business managers, industry groups, public agency personnel, and stakeholders.
Experience applying for grants or other funding for programmatic support, including running fee-based workshops and/or establishing novel external funding sources for integrated research or Extension programs.
Experience working with clientele such as industry partners, commodity groups, and government agencies.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain an externally funded applied research and Extension program in agricultural markets, trade, and rural development policy analysis.
Analyze and communicate the impacts of proposed policies and market changes to stakeholders across Virginia.
Collaborate with colleagues in AAEC, the Center for Agricultural Trade, CALS, and other units to integrate market, policy, and trade analysis into local food systems and rural development initiatives.
Work with Extension agents, specialists, and field staff to develop effective and visible programs.
Foster interdisciplinary activities that bridge quantitative economic analysis with applied Extension work.
Build and strengthen partnerships with government, industry, nonprofits, producer groups, agricultural lenders, supply chain businesses, and other stakeholders.
Contribute to communication and public policy outreach that raises awareness of CALS engagement and supports rural economic growth and resilience.
Pursue grants and other external funding to support research and Extension activities.
Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and Extension outlets in a timely manner.
Mentor students.
Travel occasionally for meetings and conferences.