Back to search results Apply now Job no:824954
Work type:Faculty/Academic Staff
Major Administrative Unit / College: College Of Agriculture And Nat Resources
Department: Agricultural Food And Resource Economics 10002036
Sub Area: FAS- Fac./Acad Staff
Salary: Salary Commensurate with Experience
Location:East Lansing
Categories:Agriculture, Fixed Term Academic Staff, Full Time (90-100%), Non-Union, Remote-Friendly

Michigan State University and the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics seek a forthcoming or recent PhD as a (Postdoctoral) Research Associate to participate in applied microeconomics and regional economics research. Specifically, the postdoctoral research association will leverage longitudinal federal administrative data to document the relationship between historical discriminatory federal programs and present-day inequality of opportunity. Then we will conduct causal education policy analysis, examining the long-term and intergenerational effects on opportunity of education investments, where “opportunity” includes measures of labor market, migration, and health outcomes. The postdoctoral research associate will collaborate with a research team comprised of faculty researchers, educators, and Extension professionals from Michigan State University, Baylor University, Kentucky State University, University of Arkansas, and Trinity University on a research project conducted with the Federal Statistical Research Data Center (FSRDC) system.

In the FSRDC, the associate will work with the Social Security Numident dataset, Decennial Censuses, the Current Population Survey, and the American Community Survey (among potentially other datasets) to construct very large samples of millions of individuals. These databases facilitate longitudinal analysis. They will also potentially be merged with other public data. Following initial data management activities, the associate will execute the following activities:

• Econometric model specification analysis and discussion in the FSRDC
• Enhance the documentation of historical discriminatory policies, especially as they relate to rural redlining
• Prepare and collaborate on numerous refereed journal articles including, but not limited to, the following broad topics:
  • Historical discriminatory policies, especially as they relate to rural redlining
  • The long-run causal effects of educational access on rural opportunity by race
  • The interactive effects of those discriminatory policies and educational access
  • Other related topics led by the postdoctoral researcher and their personal interests
• Depending on the future career goals of the research associate, opportunities may exist to participate in additional educational/curricular development activities:
  • Produce economics, agricultural/applied economics, and sociology course modules with materials to teach the history of racial discrimination and racial disparities in rural America, as well as the legacy thereof (to be found in this project’s research)
• Depending on the future career goals of the research associate, opportunities may exist to participate in additional Extension/outreach activities:
  • Hybrid (online and in-person) interdisciplinary speaker series on diversity, equity, and inclusion in rural America, including expert historians, educators, agricultural economists, economists, and sociologists, as well as Extension stakeholders
  • Produce modular internal and external Extension curricular materials on the history and long-run effects of rural discriminatory policies
• May participate in proposals to obtain external funding

Research associates must have a doctoral degree. (Ph.D.) or its equivalent.  Individuals without a doctoral degree may be appointed with the rank of research associate for nine months provided the following condition is satisfied:

Satisfactory completion of the Ph.D. dissertation defense/orals with minimal revisions needed that are expected to be completed within three to six months.  A letter from the chairperson of the department/school in which the Ph.D. work is being taken indicating the nature of the work to be completed and an estimated time-frame for completion must be submitted with the appointment form.  Any reappointment beyond nine months requires proof of degree.

Through the experience with the research team and the FSRDC, the associate will complement the strong disciplinary training of their PhD program with exposure to a broad range of social sciences.

The Michigan FSRDC is located in Ann Arbor, MI, though working from a different FSRDC location may be feasible.

At the end of their postdoctoral experiences, the research associate will enjoy a network of senior academic and policy colleagues from which they may launch a successful career as a faculty member, policy analyst, and/or data scientist.

The research associate will be compensated commensurate with recent PhDs in their field of study and will have access to health care benefits.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Doctorate

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• • Research associates must have a doctoral degree. (Ph.D.) or its equivalent.  Individuals without a doctoral degree may be appointed with the rank of research associate for nine months provided the following condition is satisfied:

    Satisfactory completion of the Ph.D. dissertation defense/orals with minimal revisions needed that are expected to be completed within three to six months.  A letter from the chairperson of the department/school in which the Ph.D. work is being taken indicating the nature of the work to be completed and an estimated time-frame for completion must be submitted with the appointment form.  Any reappointment beyond nine months requires proof of degree.

• Preferred Education and Experience:
  • PhD in Economics, Agricultural/Applied Economics, or related field, completed by the date of the first day of employment.
  • Academic record of publications related to the issues to be address in project description.
  • Demonstrated skills in quantitative analysis.
  • Demonstrated ability to synthesize academic inputs from a wide array of sources.
  • Understanding of the land grant university system.
  • Experience working in the FSRDC system or with other systems involving large datasets.
• Required Licenses of Certifications:
  • The associate will need to pass a background check and successfully gain access to a Federal Statistical Research Data Center (FSRDC), which requires having spent three of the previous five years in the United States, among other requirements.
• Required Special Knowledge, Abilities, or Skills:
  • Strong English written and verbal communications skills.
  • Working knowledge of Stata, SAS, R, or related statistical software available in the FSRDC environment.

• Required Documents:
  • Cover Letter
  • Statement of Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • CV

The university is requiring all MSU students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 with limited exceptions. Learn more at:

02/01/2023

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

Advertised:Dec 2, 2022 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:Dec 2, 2024 Eastern Standard Time