Location: Water Resouces Center, Pendleton SC
Open Date: Jul 18, 2022
Description
Assistant Professor
Water Resource Economics
(75% Research and 25% Extension)
Clemson University, Clemson SC
The Department of Agricultural Sciences located within Clemson’s University’s College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Life Sciences (CAFLS), is seeking to fill a 12-month tenure track position at the Assistant Professor level with a specialization in Water Resource Economics. The appointment is a 75% Research and 25% Extension position stationed at the South Carolina Water Resources Center, four miles from Clemson’s main campus. The preferred candidate will have strong training in non-market water valuation techniques, agricultural consumptive use valuation techniques, and the economics of agricultural versus non-agricultural water use tradeoffs.
The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized, innovative, and externally funded research program in water resource economics. The candidate will conduct research, advise graduate students, and provide leadership for agricultural economics and water resources policy outreach and education efforts to stakeholders. The candidate is expected to provide leadership in assessment of the effectiveness of agricultural and river basin water-use policies. Specifically, the candidate is expected to contribute to interdisciplinary research efforts designed to develop efficient economic water use policies to allocate water among competing uses. The desired major focus of the outreach education component is providing economic and policy recommendations to inform users on the value of alternative irrigation practices (technology and crops), and net benefit of alternative water allocations.
The candidate will have opportunities to engage and interact with the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, SC Water Resources Center, CAFLS, the Clemson Extension Service, and clientele groups to quantify the net economic benefit to South Carolina resulting from efficient water resource use for recreation, residential use, food production, and industrial use. Familiarity with basic hydrologic models, regional economic growth models, and water quality models are strong assets. The individual in the position is encouraged to work on both disciplinary and applied interdisciplinary water research issues. Applied research topics will likely include private and public utilization, economic risk of drought/climate change, commodity-based economics of irrigation, food-energy-water (FEW) nexus assessment in agriculture and water resources, and mitigating water shortages in multiple risk environments among competing users.
The extension component will involve 1) disseminating applied research findings regarding the benefits and costs of efficient water policy in a timely manner to Extension audiences, and 2) developing a recognized Extension program in agricultural economics and water resources policy that provides best practices (developed from research) to farmers, Clemson Extension personnel, regulatory agencies, and other end users. Of added importance is the desire to work with interdisciplinary groups across campus in agriculture and engineering to pursue larger funding initiatives that address grand challenges in the FEW nexus, sustainable agriculture, and water resources systems.
The Department of Agricultural Sciences has graduate and undergraduate programs in Agricultural Education, Agricultural Mechanization, Agribusiness, and Applied Economics and Statistics. The undergraduate Agribusiness program has 160 students and the Applied Economics and Statistics program has 10 MS students. The Agribusiness program has eight faculty and one lecturer. The selected individual will have the opportunity to mentor graduate Applied Economics graduate students, in addition to work with MS and Ph.D. students in other agricultural disciplines and the engineering sciences.
Clemson University has the highest Carnegie research designation (R1), and recently completed its Clemson Forward plan with strategic focus on advancing our doctoral programs and strengthening our research and scholarly impact while still preserving the outstanding signature undergraduate experience that is at the heart of Clemson. Clemson Forward has at its core the mission of being a model for the 21st Century land grant university. South Carolina’s highest-ranked national university is located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounded by Lake Hartwell and the Clemson Experimental Forest. The 1,400-acre campus is part of the 18,000 acres of University Farms and Forests devoted to teaching and research. A top-25 public university with a reputation for excellence, Clemson University provides a hands-on education – in the lab, in the classroom, and in the field. Academic programs lay the groundwork for innovative research, and real-world experiences carry forward to rewarding careers. This strikingly beautiful campus enjoys a temperate and pleasant climate.
Qualifications
Required qualifications: A Ph.D. degree in Agricultural or Applied Economics, Agribusiness, Economics, Natural Resources and Water Resource Policy or a closely related field is expected at the time of employment. The selected candidate must have strong knowledge of policy issues confronting the agricultural economy and possess the interest and ability to be responsive to grower and stakeholder needs. Excellent written and verbal communication is required.
Preferred qualifications: Preference will be given to candidates with documented ability to secure external funding to support an active research program, a record of high-quality peer-reviewed journal publications, and a demonstrated excellence (and/or dedicated interest) in applied research and dissemination to a broad audience. Experience working as an active member in multidisciplinary/interdisciplinary research teams is also preferred.
Application Instructions
Application Procedure:
Please submit:
(1) a letter of interest with applicant’s contact information;
(2) contact information for three references;
(3) a one-page research and extension philosophy and a one-page research plan;
(4) unofficial transcripts from all degree-granting institutions (BS, MS, Ph.D.);
(5) a curriculum vitae.
Applicants may request their candidacy remain confidential during the initial review process. All application materials should be submitted via the Clemson Interfolio link: http://apply.interfolio.com/110109
Application-Interview Timeline: This position will remain open until filled. Formal review of applications will begin on September 1, 2022. The search committee anticipates preliminary online interviews taking place in September 2022 and on-campus interviews for finalists occurring in October 2022. Start date is negotiable.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Clemson University is an AA/EEO employer and does not discriminate against any person or group on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, pregnancy, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or genetic information. Clemson University is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff committed to working in a multicultural environment and encourages applications from minorities and women.
