Senior Research Scientist - Applied Economics

Job Description

The Department of Agricultural & Applied Economics at Virginia Tech is seeking two highly motivated applied economists to join our team as (Senior) Research Scientists in the Fall of 2024. Depending on the qualifications of the successful candidate the positions may be filled at the senior research scientist or research scientist level. The positions are twelvemonth calendar year restricted positions; which will be reviewed annually based upon funds available needs of service and performance.

As part of our work with the Alliance to Advance ClimateSmart Agriculture the Research Scientist positions will be responsible for leading the conceptualization and conduct of research projects managing and ensuring completion of the objectives of a sponsored research program and delivering research materials including writing peerreviewed journal articles and making presentations at academic conferences and for public audiences on topics such as:
Estimating the consumer demand for climatesmart certified food products using incentivized labinthefield choice experiments in a relevant setting
Rigorously assessing the range of ecosystem service values associated with climatesmart agricultural practices pursued as part of the program
Evaluating the drivers and impacts of climatesmart agricultural practice adoption with a focus on the role of financial incentives and program design from our pilot program for ecosystem services

The effectiveness of the research agenda will be influenced by the Alliance faculty members ability to work closely with relevant partners including fellow researchers private sector retailers soil and water conservation districts and producers.

About The Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture
The Alliance to Advance ClimateSmart Agriculture is a coalition of organizations led by Virginia Tech that will implement an $80 million threeyear project funded by the United States Department of AgricultureNatural Resources Conservation Service (USDANRCS). This project will be implemented across four states Arkansas Minnesota North Dakota and Virginia and will feature payments to farmers to adopt climatesmart agriculture practices to increase resilience and climate change mitigation.

Virginia Tech faculty will conduct a rigorous research agenda to evaluate the implementation and impacts of this program. Under the threeyear pilot Virginia Tech and its partners will help producers in the four states prove the value of paying farmers and ranchers $100 per acre or animal unit for stewardship practices that deliver public value through carbon sequestration greenhouse gas reduction improved soil health water quality water conservation and other environmental services. We aim to create a national model for incentivizing and rewarding farmers for adopting climatesmart practices. More information on the program can be found at this link:

About Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is and has been pursuing a series of cluster hires to complement the strengths of existing faculty in pursuing interdisciplinary research the nexus of digital biological social and physical sciences and engineering with application to agriculture food and natural resources. This vision aims to create a state and nationwide network of interconnected faculty partners and resources for scientific discovery and developing and deploying new technologies. The goal is to increase overall efficiency resiliency sustainability and economic value of food agriculture production systems and natural resources while expanding Virginia Techs global influence in this rapidly evolving domain.

Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg VA with a fulltime student population of 33000 students. The Blacksburg campus is in a growth phase associated with significant public and private investments in computer and data science research and education. These investments include the construction of a Data & Decision Science Building that is part of a larger investment in developing a Global Business and Analytics Complex in Blacksburg. Geographically Blacksburg is nestled in the heart of the New River Valley close to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail with ample outdoor recreation opportunities.

In addition to the Blacksburg campus VT operates a rapidly growing campus in the National Capital Region (Washington D.C. located in close proximity to multiple public agencies research institutes and private sector companies with related interests.

Department College University and Community: The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech is a robust and growing unit with about 300 primary and secondary undergraduate majors 75 graduate students and 32 faculty members . The Department is located in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences which advises about 3000 undergraduate students and 640 graduate students across 10 departments and schools. Virginia Cooperative Extension also located within the college delivers researchbased information to the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia through county/city extension offices 4H educational centers and Agricultural Research and Extension Centers Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg VA with a fulltime student population of more than 38000 students. Blacksburg is nestled in the New River Valley close to the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Appalachian Trail and was recently ranked by Bloombergs Businessweek as the best place in the U.S. to raise kids and by Forbes as one of the top 25 places in the U.S. to retire The base location for this position is Blacksburg VA. Travel to Blacksburg on a routine basis will be required. The position is open to hybrid or remote; however preferred remote location will be within a reasonable commuting distance to one of the partner locations (i.e. Virginia Minnesota Arkansas and/or North Dakota).

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications (Research Scientist):
PhD in applied economics or a relevant field (applicants with an expected completion date prior to the start of employment also accepted)
Record of experience submitting academic papers for peerreviewed publication
Excellent communication skills

Required Qualifications (Senior Research Scientist):
PhD in applied economics or a relevant field
Considerable record of published research
Excellent communication skills
Demonstrated content expertise in any or all of the of the following areas: (a) designing and executing ontheground randomized controlled experiments (b) conducting labinthefield choice experiments with consumers (c) designing surveys to be implemented among rural producers in the US (c) ecosystem service valuation techniques with an emphasis on water quality and GHGs in agricultural environments
Experience with managing sponsored research projects and/or personnel to help deliver on sponsored project objectives

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications (Research Scientist):
Demonstrated knowledge of crop and/or animal agriculture including USDANRCS conservation practices or climate smart agriculture
Demonstrated content expertise in any or all of the of the following areas: (a) designing and executing ontheground randomized controlled experiments (b) conducting labinthefield choice experiments with consumers (c) designing surveys to be implemented among rural producers in the US (c) ecosystem service valuation techniques with an emphasis on water quality and GHGs in agricultural environments
Experience working with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Experience with managing sponsored research projects and/or personnel to help deliver on sponsored project objectives

Preferred Qualifications (Senior Research Scientist):
Demonstrated knowledge of crop and/or animal agriculture including USDANRCS conservation practices or climate smart agriculture
Experience working with local Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Pay Band

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Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Review Date

11/01/2024

Additional Information

Please submit 1 a cover letter indicating your interests relevant background and contact information for 3 references 2 your CV . Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until filled with a priority deadline of XXXXX. Contact George Davis with further questions.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto Ut Prosim (That I May Serve) Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a handson transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problemsolvers. A comprehensive landgrant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges a school of medicine a veterinary medicine college Graduate School and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.