Post Doctoral Associate – Rural Economic Resilience & Food Systems – University of Vermont

🏛️ Academic Opportunity: Post Doctoral Associate – Rural Economic Resilience & Food Systems – University of Vermont

• Institution: University of Vermont

• Academic Unit / Department: Community Development & Applied Economics

• Job Reference / Requisition ID: S6266PO

• Position Number: 00027972

• Appointment Type: Full-Time, Postdoctoral

• Academic Rank / Level: Postdoctoral Associate

• Salary / Remuneration: $63,480–$63,900 per year

• Location: Burlington, Vermont, USA — Hybrid/Remote options available within the United States

• Application Deadline: October 31, 2026

• Expected Start Date: January 1, 2027

📋 Overview of Role

The University of Vermont is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate in Rural Economic Resilience & Food Systems to conduct applied economic and community-engaged research under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Van Leuven. The position supports two related research programs examining rural climate resilience, rural labor markets, food systems, and economic impacts of climate-related events.

Approximately 60% of the position will support an NSF EPSCoR project on rural climate resilience, while 40% will support UVM Food Systems Research Institute-funded research on rural food businesses and food systems infrastructure.

🎯 Key Responsibilities & Research Scope

• Conduct applied economic research on rural economic resilience, climate impacts, and food systems.

• Study the effects of severe weather, extreme heat, and harmful algal blooms on rural labor markets, downtown business activity, and recreation economies.

• Research climate impacts on rural food businesses, including restaurant and grocery entries and exits.

• Analyze rural food systems infrastructure and economic dynamics.

• Lead and participate in in-person and virtual interviews with New England business owners, municipal officials, and consumers.

• Conduct causal-inference analysis using high-frequency foot-traffic, consumer-spending, and satellite-derived environmental data.

• Apply econometric and quantitative methods to research datasets.

• Contribute to academic manuscripts, conference presentations, and public-facing research outputs.

• Collaborate across institutions while independently developing and executing research activities.

• Travel to Burlington and other locations across New England for team meetings and fieldwork.

🎓 Qualifications & Candidate Profile

• Required Education: Ph.D. completed by January 1, 2027 in Economics, Applied/Agricultural Economics, Regional Science, Public Policy, or a closely related quantitative social science field.

• Quantitative Skills: Demonstrated quantitative and econometric expertise, ideally including causal inference or panel-data methods.

• Programming: Proficiency in R, Python, and/or Stata.

• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Collaboration: Ability to work independently and collaboratively across institutions.

• Preferred Research Areas: Rural economic development, climate resilience, and/or food systems.

• Preferred Experience: Qualitative or community-engaged interviews.

• Technical Skills: Data visualization and GIS.

• Preferred Data Experience: High-frequency mobility/spending data such as Advan or SafeGraph and satellite-derived environmental data.

💼 Remuneration & Benefits

• Annual Salary: $63,480–$63,900.

• Work Arrangement: Hybrid and remote candidates will be considered.

• Work Location: Candidates must be authorized to work from an approved location within the United States.

• Travel: At least four trips to Burlington, Vermont, during the year for team meetings, plus additional periodic travel throughout New England for interview-based fieldwork.

• In-Person Preference: Candidates able to work at UVM more regularly are preferred, all else being equal.

• Position Status: Full-time, 1.0 FTE.

• Standard Hours: 37.5 hours per week.

• Term: 12 months.

• Special Conditions: Position is contingent on continued funding and requires travel to worksites.

• Background Check: Required.

📄 Application Checklist & Required Documents

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

2. Cover Letter / Letter of Application describing your fit for the position and research interests

3. Writing Sample

4. Contact Information for 2–3 Professional References

📬 Application Process

• 🔗 Application Link: Not included in the supplied posting.

• 📧 Contact / Enquiries: Dr. Andrew Van Leuven — andrew.vanleuven@uvm.edu

• 📅 Deadline: October 31, 2026

• 📅 Expected Start: January 1, 2027

• 📌 Application Status: Open until October 31, 2026; not open-ended.

📌 Job Classification

• Job Domain: Agricultural

• Specific Fields: Rural Economics, Agricultural Economics, Food Systems, Climate Resilience

• Research Area: Rural Economic Development & Environmental/Climate Economics

• Position Type: Postdoctoral Research

• Department: Community Development & Applied Economics

🌐 Official Website / Domain: University of Vermont — uvm.edu