Postdoctoral Associate in Agribusiness, Agricultural Finance, and Production Economics at Virginia Tech Virginia Tech in United States

Virginia Tech’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Associate in agribusiness, agricultural finance, and production economics. The position is based at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia, and is designed for a researcher interested in applied economics, farm-level performance, and stakeholder-facing work across research and Extension.

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Mario Ortez, Assistant Professor of Agribusiness and Bridge Experience Director, and will collaborate on applied research and Extension programs focused on agribusiness decision-making, agricultural finance, and farm-level performance. The role includes opportunities to work with unique applied datasets, contribute to externally funded projects, develop grant proposals, and engage with producers, agribusiness firms, and financial institutions.

Responsibilities include conducting applied research, analyzing farm-level, market, and financial data, producing publishable journal articles, supporting Extension programming and outreach, and occasionally contributing guest lectures and student research mentorship. The department emphasizes an integrated research-Extension-experiential learning environment and encourages collaboration across faculty and college initiatives.

Eligibility highlights: applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in Agricultural Economics, Applied Economics, Economics, or a closely related field by the start date. The degree must have been awarded no more than four years before the appointment date, and the candidate must have at least one year of eligibility remaining. Strong quantitative and econometric skills, strong communication skills, and demonstrated research potential are required. Preferred experience includes agribusiness, agricultural finance, production economics, and tools such as R, Python, Stata, R Shiny, Power BI, or Tableau.

Funding: the appointment is initially for 12 months, with a possible 12-month renewal depending on funding and performance. The posted salary range is 53,550–65,029 USD.

Deadline: apply by May 24, 2026 for full consideration.

How to apply: use the Virginia Tech application portal linked in the post. Review the job posting carefully and submit all required materials before the deadline. For accommodation requests, contact Dr. Mario Ortez at [email protected].