"Open Rank Senior (Asst., Associate, or Full Professor) Invasive Species Economist"

Job Description

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the College of Science (COS) at Virginia Tech are inviting applications for a 9-month (academic year) research and teaching position at the (Senior) Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor level in applied economics with a focus on invasive and other harmful species. This broadly encompasses any species that pose threats to terrestrial and / or aquatic ecosystems, impact markets, economic decision-making and outcomes. The academic home for this position will be either the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics (in CALS), or the Department of Economics (in COS). The position also carries expectations for funding summer activities through external grants, teaching, or other mechanisms. The successful candidate will have proficiency in theoretical, analytical, and quantitative tools and methods to tackle complex problems as part of a campus-wide invasive species cluster hire. This position requires occasional travel to attend conferences and meetings.

The individual will be a core member of Virginia Tech’s Invasive Species Collaborative (https://invasivespeciesvt.org/). This newly funded Destination Area (DA) is a university-wide initiative fostering growth in transdisciplinary research to develop solutions to a complex global problem of invasive / harmful species that directly or indirectly impacts the lives or livelihoods of people, and cause substantial losses to the global economy. The position is part of a cluster hire that includes faculty in environmental law and public policy, technology development, environmental data science, global change interactions, genomics, and invasive species-focused extension. The successful candidate is expected to leverage the expertise of the Invasive Species DA community at Virginia Tech and engage in team science with associated faculty. The individual will also have the opportunity to contribute to the development of a center of excellence focusing on invasive species science, technology, management, outreach, and policy.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in economics, applied economics, or a related field combining computational / quantitative modeling and methods with economic theory and / or applications by appointment start date.
• At least one full year of work experience as Post-doctoral researcher, Assistant Professor, or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research experience involving invasive / harmful species.
• Experience with team science collaborations and work in transdisciplinary teams.
• Proficiency in tools and methods that can be applied to the economic study of invasive and harmful species, such as: modeling and analyzing dynamic processes over time and space; theory and methods of market-based or non-market economic valuation; computational / analytical methods and techniques involving large, complex, and unstructured data; evolutionary game theory, SIR modeling, social contagions, synthetic populations; Sample JEL codes: C1, C5, C6, C7, Q2, Q3,Q5.
• Established record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Participation in grant-funded research.
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness at the undergraduate and / or graduate level.

Overtime Status: Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type: Regular

Salary Information: Commensurate with Experience

Hours per week: 40; M-F 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Review Date: 10/12/2025

Additional Information: Required application materials include: 1) complete curriculum vitae, 2) statement of current research and future research and teaching interests as relevant to this position (three page maximum), and 3) names, addresses and email of three professional references. The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech: Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually. Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law. If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Klaus Moeltner at moeltner@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event. Advertised: September 9, 2025 Applications close: