Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management

Research Associate

Position Function      

This position requires an experienced research associate to devote 50% of their full-time effort to support externally funded research projects in food marketing, food supply chains analysis, and sustainability of food systems, at the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management. 

This research associate will work closely with Professor Miguel I. Gómez on various externally funded research grants, focusing or research related to the environmental en economic impacts of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA), economic and Life Cycle Analysis novel food processing technologies and products, and consumer acceptance of novel foods and new varieties in the fresh produce category.

The research associate will contribute to develop a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that would include greenhouse gas emissions, energy use and water use representative of conventional and metropolitan-based CEA supply chains supplying the focal fruits and vegetables to one large and one medium-sized metropolitan area of the US.  These LCAs will be used for comparison of environmental impacts across production systems and crops.

The research associate will assist in a research project focusing processes for the nonthermal concentration of high quality juices and beverages. The research associate will contribute to assess the economic, environmental, nutritional and food safety performance of the manufacturing technology platform of the project. In particular, the research associate will develop models to systematically analyze tradeoffs and complementarities among critical aspects of economic efficiency, resource utilization (water, energy), food waste, and nutritional quality of the manufacturing technology platform.

The initial appointment of the research associate will be through December 31, 2023 (12 months) with the possibility of extension for up to 12 additional months.

Required Qualifications

·       PhD in agricultural economics, applied economics, or a related area.

·       3-5 years job-related research experience with competent quantitative research skills.

·       Experience in multi-criteria optimization problems combining economic, social and environmental objectives.

·       Demonstrated experience and ability to manage multiple priorities, complete work on tight deadlines and implement critical projects.  Must be able to multi-task in a fast-paced research and outreach setting.

·       Strong oral communication, writing, analytical and problem-solving skills. 

·       Excellent computer skills (at a minimum: proficient in Stata, R, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Excel).

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New hires are required to provide documentation showing primary vaccination status (that is, completion of two shots of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or one shot of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson) before their first day of work. If a new hire's vaccination is not complete or information is not received by their start date, the first day of work will be delayed. It is possible in some cases that an offer of employment may be withdrawn.

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