Research Associate

Job DescriptionThe Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics invites applications for a Research Faculty position to provide annual estimate of real estate values of agricultural and horticultural crops for all counties and participating cities. This position will also assist with the development and maintenance of open space use value estimates for Virginia localities. Duties include: development of computational methods; maintenance of current models and data sets; and identifying and testing alternative data sources. Maintain detailed design specifications and written documentation for existing data analytic models. When necessary, be responsible for development of new computational methods and work with programmers to incorporate these methods into current models based on systematic testing and validation relative to current and historical data.Strong written, oral, and electronic communication skills are essential. Specific responsibilities include working with faculty members in a team setting to accomplish the following: 1) Writing statutorily required and other annual reports, grants, and contracts; 2) Conducting research and conceptualizing appropriate methods and materials to improve the validity and reliability of the project; 3) Developing and maintaining models for calculating use value assessment estimates; 4) Maintaining all content on the Virginia's Use Value Assessment Program's website (https://luva.aaec.vt.edu/); 5) Conducting research projects, such as the assessment of the fiscal impact of alternative taxing scenarios and land use related research such as the analysis of real estate sales for agricultural land; 6) Annually develop and publish cost of production budgets for major agricultural and horticultural enterprises; 7) Presenting annual estimates at two public hearings before the State Land Evaluation and Advisory Council (SLEAC); 8) Conducting educational programs for organizations and government agencies, such as local Farm Bureau groups, County Boards of Supervisors, Chambers of Commerce, other interested parties; 9)Conducting in-service training for extension personnel; 10) mentor and supervise students.Required QualificationsOutstanding database management and analytics skills, including proficiency in MS Excel, Oracle, SAS, Adobe, Powerpoint; Excellent oral and written skills; Demonstrated experience delivering financial education to stakeholders; Master’s degree in economics with significant years of related professional experience; Direct experience advising undergraduate and graduate students in research; Direct experience in proposal writing for grants or contracts.Preferred QualificationsDemonstrated success in scholarship and teaching. Scholarship and outreach interests that contribute to AAEC’s mission. Strength in economic theory, statistical programming, and quantitative analysis. Direct experience with production farm management issues relevant to Virginia producers. Experience developing crop net return budgets. Demonstrated familiarity with Virginia’s special tax assessment for agricultural, forestry, and open space lands including Virginia’s income and rental rate approaches. Experience with development of use-value estimate methods and procedures and authorship of articles, reports, and/or user manuals for land use-value estimates. Experience with ag, forestland, and open space fair market valuation and assessment of yearly trends. Experience with statistical computing programs including R, python, stata, or similar program. Experience with GIS and VamaNet or similar program.Pay Band{lPayScaleID}Overtime StatusExempt: Not eligible for overtimeAppointment TypeRestrictedSalary InformationCommensurate with ExperienceHours per week40Review Date11/21/2025Additional InformationThe successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.About Virginia TechDedicated 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 Jennifer Friedel at jfriedel@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.