Post Doctoral Fellow

University of Missouri-Columbia; Columbia Township (MO); On-site; Full time

Job description

Job Description

The Division of Applied Social Sciences (DASS) seeks applications for two (2) Post-Doctoral Fellows within the Rural and Farm Finance Policy Analysis Center (RaFF) at the University of Missouri. RaFF provides U.S. Congress and stakeholders with data and policy analyses focused on regional agricultural financial outcomes. Through a coordinated multistate effort, RaFF evaluates how policy decisions and innovations affect farmers’ and ranchers’ profitability and financial resilience. We invite candidates passionate about economic modeling, policy analysis in U.S. agriculture, and rural financial resilience. This position offers mentorship under Dr. Alejandro Plastina and collaboration within a multidisciplinary, mission-driven team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance models for state-level farm income and regional agricultural lending portfolios.
• Design tools for policy and market analysis supporting subnational agricultural decisions.
• Collaborate with stakeholders and peers to monitor evolving policy and market landscapes.
• Disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications, policy reports, presentations, and decision tools.
• Engage in regular team meetings, mentorship activities, and contribute to grant and proposal writing.

Location and Work Arrangement

The position is based in Columbia, Missouri, on the campus of the University of Missouri (Mizzou).

Appointment Terms

The initial appointment is for 12 months with strong potential for renewal based on performance and funding. The start date is negotiable, with preference for a Fall 2026 start.

Professional Development

RaFF supports postdocs’ scholarly growth, including opportunities for publishing, presenting at conferences, and mentoring students. Fellows are encouraged to lead research projects aligned with RaFF’s mission.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications: Doctorate in agricultural economics, economics, statistics, or related fields (with emphasis in applied econometrics) by the time of appointment.

Candidates Will Be Evaluated On

• Familiarity with U.S. agricultural practices, markets and policies.
• Experience in applied economic analysis, with preference given to those with experience developing and implementing structural economic models and partial equilibrium models.
• Proficiency in R and Excel.
• Strong communication skills in English are essential. Candidates should have a record of presenting to various audiences and writing reports for both academic and applied outlets, with preference given to those with experience presenting quantitative assessment to agricultural producers, agribusiness representatives, or policymakers.
• Experience with U.S. commodity price analysis, farm policy, data management, and econometrics is preferred. Responsibility for estimating production costs and profit margins, supply and demand equations, equilibrium quantities and prices of agricultural commodity markets for outlook and policy analysis is highly preferred.

Application Materials

Please visit https://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job/academic, Job ID 59830, to apply.

Submit a Single PDF Including

• Cover letter (research achievements, interests, and goals).
• Current CV.
• Contact information for three references. Finalists may be asked to provide additional references or transcripts.

Review will begin promptly and continue until filled.

Contact

Questions can be directed to Dr. Alejandro Plastina ([e-mail]).

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.