Position Description

Assistant Professor or Associate Professor

Department of Economics

College of Arts and Sciences

Position Overview

The Department of Economics at The Ohio State University seeks to hire an assistant professor or an associate professor studying race, economic opportunity, and leadership. Topics might include employment opportunities, networks and careers, consumption and investment, household finance, human capital development, household structure and stability, and retirement and aging, among others. Applicants are expected to have a Ph.D. in economics or a related field and to present evidence of a commitment to teaching, research, and policy influence commensurate with rank.

This position is a part of an Ohio State University Race, Inclusion and Social Equality (RAISE) initiative (https://faculty.osu.edu/faculty-support/strategic-hiring-initiatives/raise-initiative) and an interdisciplinary hiring cluster of three tenured / tenure-track faculty in the area of Race, Economic Equity, and Financial Inclusion Across the Life Course. Participating academic units include the Departments of Economics and Sociology in the College of Arts & Sciences and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Building on established interdisciplinary collaborations and unique administrative data infrastructure at Ohio State in the study of economic disparities across the life course, the cluster hires will accelerate progress in documenting, understanding, and addressing entrenched racial disparities in financial resources and economic opportunity. OSU’s many departments and centers, especially the Institute for Population Research, the Center for Human Resource Research (CHRR), the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, and the Center for Ethnic Studies present opportunities for rich collaboration and scholarly community across disciplines. Responsibilities of the position include maintaining a robust research program, actively seeking external funding, demonstrating a commitment to graduate and undergraduate teaching and mentoring, and engaged service to the university and the profession. Learn more about the RAISE initiative from the Office of Faculty Affairs.

If hired as an assistant professor, this position is eligible to be part of The Ohio State University Provost’s Tenure-Track Fellow to Faculty Program. This is a two-year program that assists early career scholars as they transition to the tenure track. Provost Fellows will focus full-time on research for up to two years allowing for an in-depth start on scholarship, with limited teaching requirements (although Fellows may teach one course per year if they choose). Provost Fellows will receive research funding and participate in career development programs to support their transition to assistant professor and their long-term career success. In addition, Provost Fellows will participate in scholarly activities within the Department of Economics and have a designated faculty mentor. Following the fellowship period, Provost Fellows will automatically transition to the rank of assistant professor within the Department of Economics and the tenure clock will begin.

Education and Experience Requirements

Required: Candidates must have completed a PhD in Economics or a related field before employment begins in August 2024, and have a research, teaching, and service record commensurate with rank.

Desired: Candidates should demonstrate attentiveness to building a diverse intellectual community, in line with OSU’s shared values (see below).

How to Apply

Apply to the Careers at Ohio State website at https://osu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/OSUCareers/job/Columbus-Campus/Assistant-Professor-or-Associate-Professor_R89660-1. A competitive application consists of the following required elements: a cover letter, curriculum vitae, separate research and teaching statements, and three letters of reference. Review of applications will begin on January 1, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. Inquiries may be directed to Kurt Lavetti at lavetti.1@osu.edu.

You will be presented with the opportunity to attach up to FIVE documents in the Application Documents section. Please include the following:

• Attachment 1: Cover Letter: 1-2 page letter, which should include a brief summary of your academic background and why you are interested in this opportunity.
• Attachment 2: CV (Curriculum Vitae): Detailed overview of your scholarly experience, including your research experience, teaching and mentoring experience, service, funding, and publications.
• Attachment 3: Research Statement: Summary of your past research accomplishments, current work/research, and proposal for your future research plan as a faculty member.
• Attachment 4: Teaching Statement: A statement of your approaches, experience and philosophy regarding your teaching, learning, and mentoring.

You will be sent an email with instructions to provide names and contact information for three reference letters following submission of your application materials.

The College

With more than 80 majors and 100 minors, the College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of the university. The Arts and Sciences provides extraordinary opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, blending creativity and analysis to truly be at the forefront of thought. The breadth and depth of knowledge in the college gives students and researchers the critical thinking and adaptability essential for a lifetime of success. 

Department Information

The Department of Economics has about 26 full-time faculty members, 75 Ph.D. students, and approximately 1000 undergraduate majors. It is a vibrant place for innovative research and learning.

The University

Ohio State is a top-20 public university, and its Ohio State Wexner Medical Center is one of America’s leading academic health centers and recently ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ list of best U.S. employers for diversity. Eligible Ohio State employees receive comprehensive benefits packages, including medical, dental and vision insurance, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and state or alternative retirement options with competitive employer contributions.

The Ohio State University’s Shared Values include Excellence and Impact, Diversity and Innovation, Inclusion and Equity, Care and Compassion, and Integrity and Respect. Our university community welcomes differences, encourages open-minded exploration and courageous thinking, and upholds freedom of expression.

Ohio State is a dynamic community where opportunity thrives, and individuals transform themselves and their world. Positions are available in countless fields and specialties. Become a Buckeye and contribute to an incredible legacy that serves to guide our future and shape a better tomorrow.

The Ohio State University is committed to enhancing academic excellence. Recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty of the highest caliber is a core component of this commitment. The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has established Dual Careers and Faculty Relocation (DCFR) to focus on supporting new and prospective faculty and their loved ones. Service offerings include dual careers partner consultations, identifying potential employers and/or employment opportunities, consultation and resources related to relocation, as well as identifying opportunities to engage on campus and in the surrounding community. While employment opportunities are not guaranteed, resources and consultation are provided to support the partners of new and prospective faculty as they are considering or transitioning to The Ohio State University.  

In addition to being responsive to dual-career opportunities, we strongly promote work-life balance to support our community members through a suite of institutionalized policies.  Ohio State is an NSF ADVANCE institution and a member of the Ohio/Western Pennsylvania/West Virginia Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC).

Located in Ohio’s capital city, Ohio State’s Columbus campus is near the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation, and technology industries. Additional information about the Columbus area is available here. In addition to  its Columbus campus, Ohio State has four regional campuses including Ohio State Lima, Ohio State Mansfield, Ohio State Marion, and Ohio State Newark, in addition to Ohio State ATI in Wooster. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.