Post Doctoral Associate Environmental and Resource Economics

UM01 University of Maryland College Park (UMCP); United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Maryland’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics seeks a Postdoctoral Associate to support research on invasive species management, biosecurity, and environmental decision support. This one-year position may extend contingent on funding, with opportunities to publish and contribute to applied products and stakeholder engagement.

The successful candidate will work independently and in a team, developing quantitative and economic analyses at the interface of

Qualifications

• PhD in environmental and resource economics or closely related field.
• Strong training in bioeconomic modeling and quantitative analysis.
• Demonstrated skill in programming, preferably in R.

Responsibilities

• Refinement and parameterization of a decision-support tool for rapid response decisionmaking for new invasive species incursions.
• Bioeconomic modeling of economic and behavioral tools for invasion management in complex mosaics.
• Apply optimization, simulation, and spatial analysis to environmental management problems.
• Organize and integrate diverse ecological, economic, and geospatial datasets.
• Prepare peer‑reviewed manuscripts and related research products.
• Prepare outreach materials, fact sheets, and decision‑support products for applied and Extension activities.
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students contributing to project activities.
• Participate in stakeholder‑engaged research activities such as focus groups and surveys.

Skills

Bioeconomic modeling

Quantitative analysis

R programming

Education

PhD in environmental & resource economics

Job description

Job Description Summary Organization's Summary Statement: The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Maryland, located just outside of Washington, D.C., seeks a postdoctoral associate. The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics is a unit of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and has financial and programmatic ties to the Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station and the University of Maryland Extension. The Department offers an internationally recognized graduate program in agricultural, resource, and environmental economics. The department's research strengths are principally in the areas of agricultural, environmental, and natural resource economics, specifically production economics, sustainable agriculture, and international development. The department provides excellent office, data laboratory, library, and computer and operating support for research.

Physical Demands

• This is primarily a sedentary position involving extensive use of desktop computers. Substantial repetitive movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas, hearing is required to perceive information.
• Close visual acuity is required to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; viewing a computer; extensive reading.

Preferences

• experience with optimization, simulation, and/or spatial analysis;
• interest in integrating ecological and economic systems in applied research;
• strong writing skills and interest in producing peer-reviewed publications;
• ability to manage multiple projects and work independently while contributing to a collaborative research environment;
• interest in stakeholder engagement, outreach, and decision support.
• Experience or strong interest in invasive species, biosecurity, conservation, or related environmental management challenges is especially desirable.

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of Maryland invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate to support research on invasive species management, biosecurity, and environmental decision support. This is a one-year position, with potential for extension contingent on funding availability. This position offers an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated environmental and resource economist to contribute to cutting‑edge work at the interface of economics, ecology, and decision science. The successful candidate will help advance research and decision‑support tools related to invasive species and biosecurity, while contributing to peer‑reviewed publications, applied products, and collaborative engagement with students and stakeholders. The successful candidate is expected to work independently as well as in an interactive and dynamic team environment, with good written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• refinement and parameterization of a decision‑support tool for rapid response decision‑making for new invasive species incursions;
• bioeconomic modeling of economic and behavioral tools for invasion management in complex management mosaics;
• application of optimization, simulation, and spatial analysis to environmental management problems;
• organization and integration of diverse ecological, economic, and geospatial datasets;
• preparation of peer‑reviewed manuscripts and related research products;
• preparation of outreach materials, fact sheets, and decision‑support products for applied and Extension‑oriented activities;
• mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students contributing to project activities;
• participation in stakeholder‑engaged research activities, which may include focus groups, surveys, and other forms of applied engagement.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD. Degree in environmental and resource economics or a closely related field;
• strong training in bioeconomic modeling and quantitative analysis;
• demonstrated skill in programming (R preferred, but other platforms welcome).

Best Consideration Date: 11/23/2026. Posting Close Date: NA. Open Until Filled: yes. Financial Disclosure Required No. For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website.

Department AGNR-Agricultural & Resource Economics Worker Sub-Type Faculty Regular Salary Range $65,000-$70,000 Benefits Summary For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link.

Background Checks Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed.

Employment Eligibility The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment.

EEO Statement The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University's Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy.

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The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and 388,000 alumni all dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Ideas. Located just outside Washington, D.C., we discover and share new knowledge every day through our renowned research enterprise and programs in academics, the arts and athletics. And we are committed to social entrepreneurship as the nation's first 'Do Good' campus.