Research Associate Professor or Research Professor of Applied Economics & State Economist

About the Job

Starting Date:
Jul 1, 2026 or thereafter, negotiable. This position is not eligible for H‑1B visa sponsorship or Green Card sponsorship.

BACKGROUND CHECK INFORMATION:
Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Research Associate Professor or Research Professor of Applied Economics and Minnesota State Economist. Located in the Department of Applied Economics, Twin Cities Campus, University of Minnesota and in Minnesota Management and Budget, St. Paul, Minnesota. This is a non‑tenured, contract faculty position. We are seeking one candidate for this role, which is cross‑posted as both a Tenured Faculty and a Contract Faculty position, serving as Minnesota State Economist.

The specific appointment track will be commensurate with the selected applicant’s background. Rank and appointment type are flexible and will be based on the successful candidate’s experience.

The incumbent for this position will serve as Minnesota’s State Economist and fulfill the duties of the State Economist as described in a contract between the University of Minnesota and Minnesota Management and Budget. The incumbent will also be a faculty member in the Department of Applied Economics and contribute to the teaching, research, and outreach missions of the Department of Applied Economics in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences as described in the key responsibilities.

• University Teaching – Applied Economics (APEC) (10%):
  Teach one, half‑semester‑length course (or the equivalent) yearly in the Department of Applied Economics, as assigned by the Department Head. The extent of teaching load is negotiable and can vary over time as conditions warrant.
• Applied Research (15%):
  Develop a nationally or internationally recognized research program related to applied economics. This includes publishing articles in leading peer‑reviewed journals, obtaining research grants, and advising graduate and undergraduate research.
• Minnesota State Economist (75%):
  Fulfill the duties of the State Economist as listed in the governing contract between the University and MMB. These include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee the production of the state’s twice‑yearly economic and revenue forecasts. In collaboration with Economic Analysis staff, forecast state economic variables and revenues from the individual income, sales, corporate income, and other taxes. With State Economic Analysis staff, write and edit the economy and revenue sections of the Budget and Economic Forecast report and presentation. Brief government officials, the media, and others on the economic and revenue forecasts.
• Provide leadership and vision for the Economic Analysis Team in collaboration with the director of the state team. Provide the scholarly base for, and be responsible for the quality of, the team’s models, forecasts, analyses, reports, and presentations.
• Oversee the production of statutorily mandated reports, including monthly reports on state tax receipts and quarterly revenue and economic updates.
• Serve as the economic spokesperson for MMB and state government by making public speaking engagements and engaging with the media upon request.

Required

• Ph.D. in economics, applied economics, or closely related field.
• At least 10 years of relevant work experience.
• Evidence of high quality written and oral communication skills for professional and non‑professional audiences.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and management skills.
• Research experience in economics, applied economics, or related fields.

Preferred

• Evidence of high‑quality research and of potential for publication in peer‑reviewed field journals and general interest journals in economics.
• Experience in economic and/or tax revenue forecasting.
• Rigorous training in public finance, public economics, or tax policy.
• Research experience in public finance, public economics, tax policy, or tax revenue forecasting.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in teaching at the…