Assistant or Associate Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics

Ag Jobs • Full-time • Columbia, Missouri, United States • 2w ago

Job Description

The Division of Applied Social Sciences (DASS) at the University of Missouri invites applications for Assistant or Associate Professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics and Mershon Family Production Agricultural Economics Scholar. This is a nine-month tenure-track position to support research (50%) and extension (50%) efforts with the Agricultural Business and Policy Extension program. The candidate hired at the Assistant Professor rank will be eligible for the endowed scholar appointment upon successful promotion with tenure at the Associate Professor rank

The University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement's distinct land-grant mission is to improve lives, communities, and economies by producing relevant, reliable, and responsive educational strategies throughout Missouri. Our dedicated and knowledgeable faculty and staff collaborate with researchers and community leaders to develop and deliver programs that address the needs of Missourians including: educational attainment; environmental concerns; community, economic, business and workforce development; global food systems; and health systems. For more information about MU Extension and Engagement, please visit https://extension.missouri.edu/ .

The successful candidate will serve as a livestock market economist for the Agricultural Business and Policy Extension program. Responsibilities will include the development of a nationally recognized extension and applied research program related to livestock economics. The successful candidate will be expected to work with animal science faculty to enhance animal science technology research by examining the economic gains from technology adoption. Price discovery in livestock markets, domestic demand analysis, and livestock trade policy are additional areas that could comprise a successful candidate's applied research agenda. In addition to the research contributions, the successful candidate will play a vital role in retaining relationships with Missouri's livestock-related commodity organizations and legislators. A successful candidate should be able to offer market outlook in cattle, hog, poultry, and dairy markets to continue Mizzou's reputation, complementing their other research areas.

Beyond collaborating with faculty in the Agricultural Business and Policy Extension program, the position should support the division's centers, such as the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) and Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF) on livestock market issues.

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

All Extension Faculty, regardless of appointment category or type, are expected to demonstrate competency in Communication, Educational Programming and Knowledge of Subject Matter, Information and Education Delivery, Interpersonal Relations, Knowledge of Organization, Leadership, Organizational Management, and Professionalism.
Actively participate in professional development opportunities to continuously improve skills and increase research-based knowledge including interdisciplinary teams, committees and task forces. Work with faculty and staff located in county offices, across program disciplines and regions, with boards and organizations and other campuses throughout Missouri with a positive outlook, high personal standard of excellence, and passion for the mission, vision and values of MU Extension.
Faculty may be expected to travel throughout Missouri and out of state. Extension Faculty must work effectively, flexibly, and independently, often with little guidance. Working evenings and weekends is often required to meet the needs of learners, clients, and stakeholders.
Faculty should collaborate across departments, programs, extension units, university centers and external constituents. Faculty are also expected to publish both research results in appropriate disciplinary journals and extension curriculum. And to secure grants, contracts and extramural funding to support their extension and applied research activities.
The desired candidate will have current econometric methods and economic theory and an understanding of Midwestern agriculture, particularly livestock operations of various scales. This candidate's research appointment will also bring the expectation of building collaborations with other institutions and applying for multi-institutional grants.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission and purpose of MU Extension.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: A Ph.D. in Economics, Agricultural Economics, or related field by the time of appointment.

Applicants will be evaluated on: Their ability to communicate economic research to the public. Potential to develop extension programs to meet industry demand. Ability to conduct and publish applied research to solve relevant agricultural problems. Ability to gather and participate in interdisciplinary teams. Ability to work with industry stakeholders and government agencies to discover needs and create projects to meet those needs.

Application Materials

Applications will be reviewed starting November 1, 2025. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Please visit https://hr.missouri.edu/job-openings and search for Job ID 56546 to submit an application. All applications must include a letter of interest in the position, current Curriculum Vitae, relevant scholarship-related work samples, contact information for three professional references, and other supporting materials.

Specific inquiries regarding this position may be directed to the search committee chair Associate Extension Professor Mallory Rahe ( mallory.rahe@missouri.edu ).

Other Information

University of Missouri, Columbia Campus: The University of Missouri, Columbia (Mizzou) is the flagship campus of the University of Missouri System and was established in 1839 as the first public university west of the Mississippi. Mizzou is one of the nation's top-tier Research 1 (R1) universities and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) . University of Missouri is a nationally competitive, global university and Missouri's largest public research university. Mizzou is one of only five universities nationwide that offers law, medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, engineering and a nuclear research reactor on one campus.

Columbia, Missouri: Columbia is consistently ranked among the top small cities to live in America. A vibrant university town located midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia offers low cost of living, is home to nationally renowned public schools, higher education, and excellent health care. University of Missouri Health Care (UMHC) is an academic health care system operated by the University of Missouri System. UMHC includes six hospitals and offers more than 50 primary and specialty clinics. Columbia has easy access to airports from Columbia, St. Louis and Kansas City.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits .

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer .

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.