Assistant Professor in Agricultural and Applied Economics

About the role

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

• Job Category: Faculty
• Employment Type: Regular
• Job Profile: Assistant Professor

Job Summary

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics (AAE) in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS), together with the Division of Extension (EXT) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor in community economic development. This is a jointly appointed faculty position to both AAE and the Department of Extension, with the tenure home in AAE.

Within Extension, the candidate will affiliate with the Community Development Institute. The position is funded 75% EXT/ 25% CALS and structured as a 12-month appointment. Given the outreach expectations of the Extension appointment, there is no requirement for traditional group instruction in the undergraduate or graduate program.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated research potential in rural and/or community economic development and complements existing departmental strengths in agricultural, environmental, community, and/or development economics. We seek candidates with evidence of the ability to combine rigorous economic research with effective outreach and who have demonstrated a strong commitment to public engagement and real-world impact.

As a faculty member, the candidate will lead regionally and nationally recognized research, outreach, and educational programming focused on community economic development within the United States, with relevance to Wisconsin. They will design and conduct applied research to address challenges facing rural communities.

The faculty member will translate research findings into practical, accessible resources for stakeholders, such as local governments, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders. The faculty member is expected to support the university's mission of fostering inclusive, sustainable community growth, as well as the scholarly life of the department through collegial engagement, mentorship, and service.

This position offers an outstanding opportunity for impact by working at a top land-grant institution, joining an established network of community development professionals across the state and nationally, and working directly with local leaders and communities.

Additional Information

At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, the Division of Extension collaborates with many departments to hire, fund, and tenure faculty who generate research directly applicable to Wisconsin communities and outreach in support of Extension programming. These co-funded faculty work collaboratively with Extension educators, other faculty, and external partners through research, outreach, and extramural funding opportunities related to their subject-matter expertise. While tenured in the department of their field of study, Extension activities are a significant portion of their duties and performance evaluation.

The Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at UW-Madison is internationally recognized for its research and teaching in agricultural, environmental, community, and development economics. Faculty collaborate across disciplines to address complex global and local challenges. UW-Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin-an innovative and vibrant city frequently ranked among the best places to live in the U.S. The university fosters a collaborative and inclusive environment and is committed to diversity, equity, and community engagement.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Publish scholarly and applied research on community economic development in U.S. and relevant to communities in Wisconsin on topics such as workforce development, housing, entrepreneurship, local government capacity, and regional economic resilience.
• Develop an extension program that translates and applies research-based knowledge and methods to issues and problems facing Wisconsin communities and document the impact of these efforts.
• Work with interdisciplinary teams within CALS, Extension, and across UW-Madison, to advance integrated approaches to solving real-world challenges in Wisconsin and rural America.
• Engage with stakeholders, including industry leaders, policymakers, and community groups on community development issues.
• Secure extramural funding to support research and programming.
• Mentor students at all levels and contribute to curriculum development.
• Participate in departmental, college, and university committees, as well as relevant professional associations and public service activities.
• Contribute to a supportive and inclusive academic environment.

Department: Agricultural and Applied Economics

Compensation

Negotiable, 12-month

Required Qualifications

• Training or experience demonstrating potential for excellence in conducting frontier research and actively engaging in outreach.
• Demonstrated skill in statistical data analysis, managing large datasets, and complex problem-solving.
• Demonstrated subject-matter expertise in relevant topic areas such as community economic development, rural development, and regional science.
• A record of, or demonstrated potential for, securing competitive external funding.
• Demonstrated ability or potential for strong public engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and stakeholder engagement.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required and will be assessed via written work listed on curriculum vitae, statements submitted for the application, and interactions during the interview process.

Education

Required: Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Economics, or a related field, such as Urban and Regional Planning or Public Policy, by the start date.

How to Apply

• Applications must be received through UW-Madison's online application system.
• To begin the process, please click "Apply Now".

Applicants must upload the following information as a single PDF document:

• Cover letter detailing interest and relevant training/experience for this position (1-page)
• Curriculum vitae
• Statements of:

Additional information

a. Extension or Outreach philosophy and experience (2-page limit) b. Research experience and interests with a description of current and planned research (2 page limit).

• An example of research such as a job market paper.
• Contact information for two to three references who will submit letters of recommendation and may be contacted for a reference phone call at a later date.

The deadline for assuring full consideration is November 8, 2026; however, the position will remain open, and applications may be considered until the position is filled.

Contact Information

For questions about application status/updates, or technical assistance please contact:

Institutional Statement on Diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.