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

Virginia Tech • Blacksburg, VA

1d • $85,000 - $110,000

About The Position

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in Virginia Tech’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor 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 appointment. Summer activities are expected to be funded through external grants or other mechanisms.

The successful candidate will maintain a visible, nationally recognized, externally funded applied research and Extension program in agricultural markets, trade, and rural development policy analysis. A particular focus is communicating the impacts of proposed policies and market changes to stakeholders across Virginia. International engagement and recognition are encouraged and expected as the candidate’s career advances.

The candidate will collaborate with colleagues in the department, the Center for Agricultural Trade, other College of Agriculture and Life Sciences departments, Extension agents, specialists, field staff, and partners across campus and beyond. The role will integrate market, policy, and trade analysis into existing local food systems and rural development initiatives and bridge quantitative analysis with applied Extension work. It will also contribute to public policy outreach and efforts supporting economic growth and resilience in rural communities.

The candidate is expected to build and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders such as government, industry, nonprofits, producer groups, agricultural lenders, and supply-chain businesses, and to raise awareness of the College’s engagement in the communities it serves. Expectations include 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 programmatic funding, including running fee-based workshops and/or establishing new external funding sources for integrated research or Extension programs.
• Experience working with clientele such as industry partners, commodity groups, and government agencies.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a visible, nationally recognized, externally funded applied research and Extension program in agricultural markets, trade, and rural development policy analysis.
• Analyze and communicate the effects of proposed policies and market changes to stakeholders across Virginia.
• Collaborate with departmental colleagues, the Center for Agricultural Trade, other College departments, Extension personnel, and partners to develop integrated research and Extension programs.
• Integrate market, policy, and trade analysis into local food systems and rural development initiatives.
• Build new partnerships and leverage existing relationships with government, industry, nonprofits, producer groups, agricultural lenders, supply-chain businesses, and other stakeholders.
• Enhance communication and awareness of the College’s engagement in the communities it serves.
• Communicate research findings in a timely manner through peer-reviewed journal articles and Extension outlets.
• Mentor students.
• Travel occasionally for meetings and conferences.

What This Job Offers

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