The Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD), Iowa State University

Postdoctoral Research Associate Position, Chinese Agricultural Policy and Market Analysis

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Drs. Wendong Zhang and Dermot Hayes are recruiting a postdoctoral research associate to study Chinese Agricultural Policy and Trade. Funding is available for one year with subsequent years conditional on funding and satisfactory performance.

Specific duties will include:

  1. Research and analyze critical Chinese agricultural policies and market trends, and publish research results in scholarly journals. Topics include but not limited to trade and agricultural markets with an emphasis on meat and feed grains, China’s agricultural risk management policies, and agri-environmental policies.
  2. Write approximately six Choices-magazine-style policy briefs each year explaining changes in Chinese agriculture, trade, and policy. See the ISU China Ag center website for examples.
  3. Collect and assemble key nationwide and provincial level statistics for major commodity markets in China.
  4. Collaborate with researchers at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
  5. Lead or contribute on grant proposals to agencies such as U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Required qualifications: Ph.D. in economics or agricultural economics.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Research experience in international and agricultural trade modeling
  • Written and oral fluency in Chinese and English
  • Research expertise in Chinese agriculture
  • Experience working effectively with project teams and professional groups

Benefits: This position offers a competitive salary and excellent benefits. More information on retirement, medical, and other postdoctoral benefits at Iowa State can be found on Iowa State University’s Human Resources site.

Application: Due to university HR system re-organization, the link to upload the application materials won’t be live until July 1. However, we strongly encourage interested candidates contact Dr. Wendong Zhang at wdzhang@iastate.edu to express interest or ask questions about this position.

Between July 1 and July 17, 2019, applicants can apply here: https://www.jobs.iastate.edu/. Submit a cover letter describing your interests and skills as they relate to the position description, a CV, and a research paper (working or published). Applicants should also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to Dr. Zhang. Applicants are encouraged to see the center publications website for examples of expected research publications. Start date is flexible with funding available starting fall 2019. For full consideration, applications are due July 17, 2019. We will conduct interviews at the AAEA meetings July 21–23, 2019 in Atlanta.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, 515 294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

About Iowa State University and the Ames Community

Iowa State University is classified as a Carnegie Foundation Doctoral Universities: Very High Research Activity, a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), and ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top public universities in the nation. More than 34,000 students are enrolled and are served by over 6,200 faculty and staff.

Iowa State University is a global and culturally diverse university committed to providing an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment for both learning and employment. We know that diversity in experience and perspective is vital to advancing innovation, critical thinking, solving complex problems, and building an inclusive academic community. At Iowa State, we translate these values into action by seeking individuals who have experience working with diverse students, colleagues, and constituents. The university has an expectation that all employees will demonstrate a contribution to diversity and inclusion as embodied in Iowa State University’s Principles of Community.

Ames, Iowa is a progressive community of 60,000, located approximately 30 minutes north of Des Moines, and recently voted one of the best college towns in the nation.

Iowa State University is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity and strongly encourages applications from all qualified applicants, including women, underrepresented populations, and veterans. ISU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples, is dedicated to work-life balance through an array of policies, and is an NSF ADVANCE institution.

All employees are expected to exhibit and convey good citizenship within the program, the department, college, university activities, collegial interactions, and maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethical behavior.