Associate or Full Professor of Agricultural Finance

Job Description

The Division of Applied Social Sciences (DASS) at the University of Missouri invites applications for a 9-month tenure-track position at the Associate Professor or Professor level. The successful candidate will provide leadership for the Division's research and extension efforts on topics related to agricultural finance and will also be considered for Director of the Rural and Farm Finance (RaFF) policy analysis center, whose faculty and staff provide analysis of regional farm finances and related policy issues. The primary focus of this position will be to conduct research relating to agricultural finance and to inform federal policymakers about the state of agricultural finances and the impacts of safety net programs and other public policies. This research and extension program will also complement the traditional policy work provided by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI), the long-standing center that has provided Congress with objective policy analysis for the past four decades.

We are seeking a candidate who will engage with the broader agricultural community to build effective working relationships with other centers and programs across campus and the state to create an integrated approach to supporting applied research in the area of agricultural finance. The selected candidate will have the capacity to form a vision that reflects stakeholder needs and leverages internal and external resources to execute the vision.

DASS is one of six academic units in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources at the University of Missouri. The Division strives to educate, empower, and engage the people who lead and work in our food and agriculture system and rural communities. Through research, teaching, and extension, we progress our world by advancing sustainability, supporting decision-makers, shaping policy, and sharing knowledge. In addition to FAPRI and RaFF, DASS is home to several other research and outreach centers, including the Graduate Institute of Cooperative Leadership (GICL), the Financial Research Institute (FRI), the McQuinn Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership, and the Interdisciplinary Center for Food Security. DASS has a strong tradition of granting faculty extraordinary latitude to develop new and innovative centers, programs, and activities.

Position Responsibilities: Key responsibilities will include the following:

1) Interacting with RaFF faculty and staff and eventually taking a leadership role in RaFF;

2) Collecting, researching, and reporting on key metrics related to agricultural finance;

3) Teaching agricultural finance courses and topics in on- and off-campus environments;

4) Assisting stakeholders in making informed decisions on issues related to agricultural finance;

5) Directing research projects and overseeing graduate students in new agricultural finance areas; and

6) Developing a national reputation and noted program in agricultural finance.

The successful candidate will provide a central location for analysis of a wide range of issues related to farm and rural finances through the RaFF center. The precise set of issues will be determined by the candidate but may include some of the following:

1) Understanding trends and factors affecting farm asset values in particular states and regions.

2) Similarly, understanding trends and factors affecting farm borrowing and debt. This will ideally include the implications of farm profitability, interest rates, farm programs, and off-farm income.

3) Identifying key drivers of farm income variability and how farm programs, including direct payments and crop and livestock insurance, affect the variability in farm income.

4) Analyzing regional differences in taxes and the associated influences on farm income.

5) Understanding the factors leading to farm bankruptcies, forced sales, and other adverse outcomes.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: PhD in agricultural or applied economics, regional science, or a related social sciences discipline. PhD in agricultural or applied economics, regional science, or a related social sciences discipline.

Candidates will be evaluated on: Ability to collaborate within an interdisciplinary environment and to work with interdisciplinary teams. Capability to link scholarship work with outreach efforts commensurate with RaFF programs. Strong scholarship record to earn tenure at a major land-grant university. Experience in attracting external funding. Effectiveness of teaching. Interpersonal skills and the ability to lead within an academic environment. Willingness to adapt as change arises.

Application Materials

Applications will be reviewed starting November 1, 2023. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Please visit https://hr.missouri.edu/job-openings and search for Job ID 48160 to submit an application. All applications must include a letter of interest in the position, current Curriculum Vitae, relevant scholarship-related work samples , contact information for three professional references, and other supporting materials. Specific inquiries regarding this position may be directed to Patrick Westhoff ( westhoffp@missouri.edu ).

Other Information

University of Missouri, Columbia Campus: The University of Missouri, Columbia (Mizzou) is the flagship campus of the University of Missouri System and was established in 1839 as the first public university west of the Mississippi. Mizzou is one of the nation's top-tier Research 1 (R1) universities and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) . University of Missouri is a nationally competitive, global university and Missouri's largest public research university. Mizzou is one of only five universities nationwide that offers law, medicine, veterinary medicine, agriculture, engineering and a nuclear research reactor on one campus.

Columbia, Missouri: Columbia is consistently ranked among the top small cities to live in America. A vibrant university town located midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia offers low cost of living, is home to nationally renowned public schools, higher education, and excellent health care. University of Missouri Health Care (UMHC) is an academic health care system operated by the University of Missouri System. UMHC includes six hospitals and offers more than 50 primary and specialty clinics. Columbia has easy access to airports from Columbia, St. Louis and Kansas City.

Salary

Salary : Competitive pay based on qualifications and experience.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. The University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at http://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person’s success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information, call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-7976.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

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