Hiring – Research Scientist

The WFPC seeks a full-time Research Scientist to build out a research portfolio in one or more of the following food policy areas: 1) food and nutrition security; 2) food loss and waste; and/or 3) food and sustainability, broadly defined to include strategies to address the impact of climate change on the food system, and food systems resilience. The successful candidate will deepen and expand existing lines of research, with the opportunity to focus on North Carolina and/or U.S. food systems issues. Position responsibilities include co-teaching an upper-division food policy course and mentoring students.

Candidates must have research experience in food policy research with experience in quantitative research methods (causal inference with surveys methods or secondary data) or experimental (e.g., randomized controlled trials, economic experiments, survey experiments, among others) methods. Experience with other methods (or an openness to and interest in) such as, qualitative research, or mixed methods can be bonus to the quantitative skills. The ideal candidate will have experience with proposal development and academic publishing.

Experience in university teaching, preferably both undergraduate and graduate level courses, is a plus.

Conduct research and publish in one or more WFPC priority areas of food and nutrition security, food loss and waste, or food and sustainability. Research may include:

• Design, implementation, and analysis of large-scale, national experimental surveys.
• Evaluation of existing food policy.
• Mixed methods research design, incorporating the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Working with WFPC Research Manager and undergraduate/graduate research assistants.

Lead or contribute to the development of new grant proposals in priority areas emphasizing collaboration with other faculty/units at Duke and beyond, and multidisciplinary inquiry.

Co-teach a food policy course with the WFPC Director. 

Engage in robust outreach of research findings, such as developing policy briefs or policy change-focused reports, informing social media outreach, participating in podcast interviews, and developing data visualization/communication appropriate for policy makers, food systems advocates, and the public.

PhD in agricultural and applied economics, economics, food policy, political science, public policy, sociology, nutrition, or related fields.

Must have authorization to work in the United States.

The ability to work independently is a must. Strong writing, verbal, and interpersonal skills are necessary. Demonstrated experience in quantitative research design and analysis is necessary.  Experience with quantitative analytical programs (Stata, SAS, R, Python, or similar) is required.

• A demonstrated track record of academic publishing and grant writing is a plus.
• Experience with stakeholder interviewing, as well as, qualitative coding and analysis with programs such as NVivo is a plus.
• Experience with mixed methods approaches is also a plus.
• Evidence of effective teaching is a plus.