Agricultural/rural/food economist

We are recruiting a postdoctoral applied economist willing to work on agricultural, rural or food economics within our Social Economic & Geographical Sciences department. Our interdisciplinary department reflects a range of theoretical perspectives using a variety of methods, always with a strong commitment to informing and supporting change beyond academia. This post joins a dynamic community working on related topics within the ‘Environmental Governance’ Group.
Main Purpose of Job
There is increasing recognition of the need to inform and enable systemic change in agri-food systems. This postdoctoral post will carry out applied research to improve understanding of behavioural change in relation to sustainable food systems and agri-food innovations. The work will be part of interdisciplinary research teams.
The postholder will be expected to contribute to a portfolio of research projects about farmers’ and consumers' behaviour and preferences, using experimental approaches (e.g. “How can economic experiments help improve agricultural policy interventions?”). These projects include research funded under the Scottish Government’s Strategic Research Programme and Horizon Europe, in areas such as using discrete choice experiments and participatory methods with farmers, understanding preferences for underutilised or novel crops, and identifying effective interventions and incentives to foster the uptake of best-fit farming practices.
Salary on first appointment is normally to the bottom of the scale, although in exceptional circumstances an appointment further up the scale may be considered.
Main duties of post holder:

• Primary data collection, including design and piloting of experimental protocols or survey instruments
• Data management, including data checking & cleaning, and data analysis
• Undertaking different types of economic experiments in line with ethical guidelines
• Dissemination of findings via scientific papers, policy briefs, project reports, websites etc.
• Developing and maintaining partnerships with stakeholders
• Contributing to the development of research funding proposals
• Making a wider contribution to the academic life of the SEGS Department and Institute
• Occasional travel for fieldwork, project meetings and participation at academic conferences, in the UK and abroad
• Any other duties as required.

Essential criteria

• PhD in relevant topic discipline (e.g. rural, agricultural, applied, or behavioural economics)
• Experience of quantitative applied economics research, including ethical good practice, primary data collection & analysis and use of relevant data analysis software (e.g. Stata, R).
• Familiarity with economic experiments (e.g. lab or lab-in-the-field experiments) or discrete choice experiments and a willingness to learn and apply them
• Demonstrable interest in food systems, agriculture and agricultural innovations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Potential to produce high quality academic publications
• Ability to combine team-working with independent work
• Good fit with the ethos of the department and the Institute

Desirable criteria

• Experience in designing and implementing economic experiments or discrete choice experiments and in analysing the results
• Experience in participatory or interdisciplinary research
• Knowledge of Scottish or European agricultural and/or land use policies
• Experience in supporting funding bids for income generation
• Track record of publication in academic journals
• An awareness of the open science movement, and an interest in applying open science principles within the economic and social sciences

Interviews expected to be held during the week beginning 27th March 2023.
This is a three year ‘tenure-track’ post in the first instance, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and funding.
For informal enquiries, please contact
Benefits Offered
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - A confidential service available to support employees and their families with work or personal problems. Providing access to professional counsellors, psychologists, and work-life consultants available to help and support individuals in tackling all types of problems.
Annual Leave – Generous entitlement up to 40.5 days a year, with carry over possible and guaranteed time-off for Christmas.
Pension - Employer Contribution of 15% in a Personal Pension Plan and employee contribution flexibility.
Self-managed hours and Flexible Working – option to manage and spread your working time in line with organisational needs to create a healthy work life balance.

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: £33,595.00-£40,769.00 per year