Research Assistant Professor/ Junior Research Economist

Description & Details: Junior Research Economist at the Rank of Research Assistant Professor The Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics at North Dakota State University seeks to appoint a promising early-career research economist to conduct grant-funded research on food retail market boundaries, competition, and consumer shopping behavior. The position is funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and is a full-time, non-tenure track appointment. The initial appointment at the rank of Research Assistant Professor will be for two years with the possibility of extension based on performance and continued availability of grant funding. The successful candidate will join a collaborative research team led by Dr. Sandro Steinbach at North Dakota State University in partnership with Dr. Cristina Connolly at the University of Connecticut. The project will advance knowledge on how food retail markets are defined, how competition operates across space and time, and how market structure measures change when markets are defined using business establishment information versus revealed consumer visitation patterns. The research will combine empirical methods from industrial organization, spatial economics, and applied econometrics with scalable data engineering and interpretable machine learning. This position provides an outstanding opportunity for independent research and opportunities for collaboration. The research assistant professor is expected to participate in the University's intellectual life actively and to contribute to peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, and other research products emerging from the project. Work will emphasize reproducible research practices, transparent documentation, and the development of practical tools that enable researchers and analysts to replicate market boundary estimation and competition measurement. Primary Responsibilities Conduct independent and collaborative research on the boundaries of the food retail market and the competition dynamics at the establishment level. Support the construction and harmonization of large-scale datasets that link food retail establishments to neighborhood characteristics and consumer visitation patterns. Implement and estimate spatially aggregated discrete-choice demand models to delineate store-level market boundaries. Develop and apply interpretable machine learning methods to identify key drivers of consumer store choice, validate model performance, and conduct sensitivity and out-of-sample checks. Compare market boundaries inferred from structural demand modeling with boundaries implied by observed consumer flows, and document areas of agreement and systematic divergence. Produce research manuscripts and technical documentation suitable for peer-reviewed outlets and stakeholder-oriented audiences, and present findings at academic and professional conferences. Contribute to project dissemination activities, including preparation of supporting materials for a project website, code repositories, and user-oriented implementation guidance. Provide mentorship and research training support to graduate and advanced undergraduate students as appropriate, including practicum-style work in data processing, spatial analysis, and applied econometrics and machine learning. Work Schedule: Full-time, non-tenure track appointment Hiring Range: $57,500-$62,500 Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations. Minimum Qualifications: Successful applicants must have received a doctoral degree in agricultural economics, applied economics, economics, or a closely related field, preferably within the last two to three years (or expected before the start date). Equivalent foreign degrees are acceptable. Applicants must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills and strong quantitative training. Applicants should have experience with applied microeconometrics and empirical industrial organization and demonstrated proficiency working with large datasets. Strong coding skills in one or more programming languages commonly used for empirical research, such as Python, R, Stata, or similar, are required. Preferred Qualifications: Proven record of relevant research publications or strong evidence of an active research pipeline. Experience working with spatial data, market definition, consumer demand models, or retail competition topics. Familiarity with machine learning workflows used for prediction and model interpretation. Experience building reproducible data pipelines and documentation. Demonstrated ability to work independently and collegially within an interdisciplinary, multi-institutional research team. Interest in producing research outputs that are accessible and usable by researchers, analysts, and policy audiences. Applicant Materials Required: To apply for the position, please provide the following documents: Cover letter Curriculum vitae Statement of research interests and how they align with the project One (or at the most two) research papers or job market paper Three confidential letters of reference For inquiries, please contact Dr. Sandro Steinbach at sandro.steinbach@ndsu.edu . The salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. To ensure full consideration for interviews, applications should be received no later than February 20, 2026. Interviews will be conducted virtually. Employment of the successful candidate will be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. Our commitment to caring for our employees isn't just words-it's proven. In NDSU's most recent Gallup Engagement Survey, our strengths centered on care and development. " My supervisor, or someone at work, cares about me as a person" and " I have the opportunities to learn and grow", were noted as top drivers. This reflects the culture you'll experience here. NDSU OFFERS OUTSTANDING BENEFITS Join a workplace that invests in your well-being, your future, and your success. Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits: Health & Wellness 100% employer-paid health insurance premiums for single and family coverage Choice of PPO/Basic or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA Coverage begins the first of the month after your hire date Wellness incentives for healthy lifestyle participation Exceptional Retirement Plan Employer retirement contributions ranging from 7.5% up to an impressive 12.26% , depending on position (One of the strongest retirement packages in the region) - Your future is a priority, and it shows. Time Away & Support Generous annual leave , sick leave , and 10 paid holidays Employee Assistance Program for confidential support Supportive work-life balance Education Benefits That Grow With You Tuition waivers for employees (up to three classes per calendar year) 50% tuition waiver for spouse/partner and dependents Additional Optional Benefits Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Care Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care) Supplemental Retirement Plans Explore Full Benefit Details: Benefits | Human Resources | NDSU About Us: North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment. NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country. NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live. NDSU is committed to fostering a community where differences are recognized as strengths. Rooted in our land-grant mission, we work together to meet the needs of North Dakota and its communities through education, research and outreach. Equal Opportunity Statement: NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, 701-231-7708, ndsu.eoaa@ndsu.edu. No Smoking Notice: As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10. Veteran's Preference Notice: This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran's Preference requirements. Reasonable Accommodation Information: North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu . recblid f5ivytg4pixlmoif1gfoxkkmpit89z