Assistant Professor

Virginia Tech • Blacksburg, VA

12d

About The Position

The Department of Economics at Virginia Tech seeks a tenure-track Assistant Professor beginning August 2027. The successful candidate will build a high-quality research program with the potential for international recognition in Economics, Data Science, or a related field, focusing on the use of data, computation, and quantitative methods to address important economic, business, technological, societal, or policy questions. Research involving emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, or modern computational and data-intensive methods, is particularly valued.

The role includes teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, mentoring students in data-driven methods and applications, contributing to the department’s research mission and intellectual life, and participating in interdisciplinary activities and collaborations across the university. The candidate is expected to produce impactful scholarship and contribute to an engaging research and teaching environment. Salary and teaching assignments will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Requirements

• Ph.D. by the date of appointment in Economics, Data Science, or a closely related field.
• Strong potential to develop an internationally recognized research program related to data-intensive inquiry, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, big data analytics, computational social science, network science, or other large-scale data analysis and use.
• Evidence of ability to teach effectively at undergraduate and graduate levels and mentor students in data-driven methods and applications.
• Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary research and collaboration across fields.

Nice To Haves

• Research addressing important economic, business, technological, societal, or policy challenges through large-scale data analysis and use.
• Interest in collaboration across Economics, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Engineering, and Business.
• Experience developing innovative courses or training opportunities in machine learning, artificial intelligence, data science, or analytics.
• Scholarship combining methodological innovation with substantive applications.
• Strong potential to develop externally funded collaborative research programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a high-quality research program with potential for international recognition.
• Contribute to the department’s research mission through high-quality scholarship.
• Teach effectively at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Mentor students in data-driven methods and applications.
• Participate in interdisciplinary activities and collaborate with colleagues across the university.
• Contribute to the intellectual life of the department and university.
• Engage in innovative instruction and contribute to the research and teaching environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree