Description & Details:
Junior Research Economist at the Rank of Research Assistant Professor
The Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics at North Dakota State University seeks to appoint a promising early-career research economist to conduct grant-funded research, policy analysis, and market intelligence on U.S. agricultural policy and trade issues. The position will support applied research and stakeholder-oriented analysis on commodity markets, trade policy, and global market developments affecting U.S. and North Dakota producers and agribusinesses. The appointment is a full-time, non-tenure track position at the rank of Research Assistant Professor. The initial appointment will be for two years with the possibility of extension based on performance and continued availability of external funding.
The successful candidate will join a research and outreach program led by Dr. Sandro Steinbach at North Dakota State University and affiliated with the Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies. The position will help develop timely and rigorous analysis of agricultural trade, commodity market conditions, input market developments, policy changes, and global disruptions that shape opportunities and risks for U.S. and North Dakota agriculture. Work may include analysis of trade measures, tariffs, sanctions, export restrictions, logistics disruptions, exchange-rate movements, fertilizer and energy market conditions, and international supply-and-demand shocks.
This position provides an outstanding opportunity for independent research, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement. The Research Assistant Professor is expected to actively participate in the University’s intellectual life and contribute to peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, data products, conference presentations, and market intelligence outputs. Work will emphasize transparent documentation, reproducible research practices, and practical tools that help researchers, commodity organizations, policymakers, and industry stakeholders interpret agricultural policy and trade developments.
Hiring Range:
Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations.
Minimum Qualifications:
Successful applicants must have received a doctoral degree in agricultural economics, applied economics, economics, public policy, or a closely related field, preferably within the last two to three years (or expected before the start date). Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable.
Applicants must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills and strong quantitative training.
Applicants should have experience with applied microeconometrics, agricultural markets, trade policy analysis, commodity market analysis, or related empirical policy research.
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency with large datasets and strong coding skills in one or more programming languages commonly used for empirical research, such as Python, R, Stata, or similar tools.
Preferred Qualifications:
Proven record of relevant research publications or strong evidence of an active research pipeline.
Experience working on agricultural trade, commodity markets, agricultural policy, market intelligence, or producer-relevant policy analysis.
Familiarity with trade data, customs or value-chain data, commodity price data, farm policy data, high-frequency market data, or other policy and market information systems.
Experience with causal inference, forecasting, machine learning, spatial or panel data methods, or reproducible data pipelines.
Interest in North Dakota and Northern Plains agriculture, including corn, soybeans, wheat, specialty crops, livestock, biofuels, fertilizer, energy, or transportation/logistics issues.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and collegially with interdisciplinary teams, commodity organizations, policymakers, Extension professionals, and stakeholder audiences.
Interest in producing research outputs that are accessible and usable by researchers, analysts, producers, and policy audiences.
Core Competencies:
Conduct independent and collaborative research on U.S. and North Dakota agricultural policy, agricultural trade, commodity markets, and market intelligence issues.
Develop and maintain data resources that link North Dakota production and marketing conditions with domestic and international trade flows, commodity prices, basis patterns, input markets, value chains, and policy measures.
Monitor and analyze federal, state, and international policy developments affecting agricultural markets, including trade policy, tariffs, sanctions, export restrictions, biofuel policy, crop insurance, farm program issues, and related market interventions.
Apply applied econometric, causal inference, forecasting, and machine learning methods to evaluate trade shocks, commodity price dynamics, market access, supply-chain disruptions, and producer-relevant policy outcomes.
Produce market intelligence briefs, policy reports, data visualizations, dashboards, and technical documentation for researchers, commodity groups, policymakers, and industry audiences.
Prepare manuscripts and presentations suitable for peer-reviewed outlets, academic and professional conferences, Extension and outreach programs, and stakeholder meetings.
Contribute to proposal development, project management, reporting requirements, and communication with external funding partners and commodity organizations.
Provide mentorship and research training support to graduate and advanced undergraduate students as appropriate, including practicum-style work in data processing, trade and market analysis, applied econometrics, and policy communication.
Applicant Materials Required:
Cover letter
Curriculum vitae
Statement of research interests and how they align with North Dakota agricultural policy, trade, and market intelligence
One (or at most two) research papers or job market paper
Three confidential letters of reference
For inquiries, please contact Dr. Sandro Steinbach at [email protected]. The salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. To ensure full consideration for interviews, applications should be received no later than August 21, 2026. Interviews will be conducted virtually.
Employment of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
Our commitment to caring for our employees isn’t just words—it’s proven. In NDSU’s most recent Gallup Engagement Survey, our strengths centered on care and development. “My supervisor, or someone at work, cares about me as a person” and “I have the opportunities to learn and grow”, were noted as top drivers. This reflects the culture you’ll experience here.
Join a workplace that invests in your well-being, your future, and your success.
Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:
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100% employer-paid health insurance premiums for single and family coverage
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Choice of PPO/Basic or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
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Coverage begins the first of the month after your hire date
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Wellness incentives for healthy lifestyle participation
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Employer retirement contributions ranging from 7.5% up to an impressive 12.26%, depending on position
(One of the strongest retirement packages in the region!) - Your future is a priority, and it shows.
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Generous annual leave, sick leave, and 10 paid holidays
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Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
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Supportive work-life balance
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Tuition waivers for employees (up to three classes per calendar year)
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50% tuition waiver for spouse/partner and dependents
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Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Care
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Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care)
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Supplemental Retirement Plans
About Us:
North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.
NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.
NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.
NDSU is committed to fostering a community where differences are recognized as strengths. Rooted in our land-grant mission, we work together to meet the needs of North Dakota and its communities through education, research and outreach.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, 701-231-7708, [email protected].
No Smoking Notice:
As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.
Veteran’s Preference Notice:
This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran’s Preference requirements.
Reasonable Accommodation Information:
North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or [email protected].
