Global Agricultural Productivity; GAP Initiative Senior Research Manager

Job Description

The Global Agricultural Productivity (GAP) Initiative is a growing public‑private platform dedicated to providing the systems intelligence and coordinated action support necessary to accelerate sustainable productivity growth at all scales of production, and to generate meaningful returns for producers, society, the environment, and the economy. A core pillar of CALS Global in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the GAP Initiative brings together expertise from universities, the public and private sectors, civil society, and global research institutions to accelerate agricultural productivity growth worldwide.

The annual GAP Report™ is the heart of the GAP Initiative. Founded in 2010, the GAP Report™ uses publicly available data to interpret global trends in agricultural total factor productivity growth—a system‑wide measure of efficiency and innovation. The Initiative is now entering a strategic growth phase, leveraging its global reputation to expand its influence, develop new research and policy capabilities, and elevate TFP growth as a unifying strategy for creating sector‑wide impact.

The GAP Initiative Senior Research Manager leads the execution of the GAP Initiative’s research portfolio, serving as the principal author of the annual GAP Report™, managing sponsored research projects, providing analytical and research support for the new GAP IQ™ data intelligence platform, and curating evidence for policy advocacy campaigns. This role requires someone who bridges academic rigor and applied analysis—conducting sophisticated econometric analysis and research while distilling complex findings into systems intelligence, clear narratives, and decision‑support products.

This position reports to the Director of the GAP Initiative, who reports to the Associate Dean and Director of CALS Global. The successful incumbent will have opportunities for academic collaboration and mentoring with the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

• Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, or related field, plus 5‑7 years of relevant applied research or policy analysis experience
• Experience conducting applied economic research on agricultural productivity growth, rural development, food systems, or international development
• Demonstrated ability to produce both academic scholarship AND practitioner‑oriented deliverables (policy briefs, client reports, executive summaries, data visualizations)
• Strong quantitative analysis and econometric skills
• Excellent written communication skills with a portfolio demonstrating a range: academic writing, policy briefs, and executive communications; command of written English
• Excellent oral presentation skills and comfort presenting to senior cross‑sectoral stakeholders; command of spoken English
• Project management capabilities with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects
• Ability to maintain a work schedule appropriate for the GMT‑5 time zone.

• Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Economics, or related field
• Experience at applied research institutions (IFPRI, CGIAR centers, World Bank, development banks, universities, think tanks)
• Strong understanding of agricultural productivity concepts and total factor productivity (TFP) measurement
• Proven ability to translate complex economic analysis into clear, actionable recommendations for policy or business audiences
• Prior experience with policy advocacy, policy analysis, or engagement with government stakeholders
• Experience supporting data platforms, analytical tools, or decision‑support systems
• Grant writing or competitive proposal development experience
• Experience working collaboratively with diverse partners (government, private sector, NGOs, multilaterals)
• Peer‑reviewed publications on agricultural productivity, food security, or development economics
• The incumbent will be located in Blacksburg, VA or the greater Washington, DC area.

Please upload a writing sample for the search committee's review.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Exempt:
Not eligible for overtime