Van Vliet Term Professorship in Agricultural Economics

The position has an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027, or soon thereafter. This is a term position with a mutually agreed upon duration of between 1 to 5 years. The position includes generous research support to help the successful candidate develop and advance their research program.

The successful candidate will have a Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics or Economics or closely related field and demonstrated potential for research excellence in areas of importance for Saskatchewan agriculture. The specific research area is open, but candidates who most closely match the objectives of the Hadley Van Vliet Professorship are preferred. These objectives are:

1.      To analyze and address pressing issues in agriculture, particularly those relevant to Saskatchewan agriculture;

2.      To engage with students and colleagues through the ideas, understanding and analysis that can be applied to major issues in agricultural economics;

3.      To engage and communicate research findings to agriculture stakeholders; and

4.      To work with public institutions and their agencies in seeking solutions to agricultural and rural issues.

The successful candidate will:

1.      Develop an innovative research program in agricultural and/or international economics.

2.      Teach and mentor undergraduate and graduate students, strengthening their analytical skills and understanding of the agricultural economy.

3.      Communicate effectively with a wide range of industry stakeholders.

4.      Rigorously analyze agricultural issues and communicate findings to diverse audiences.

Along with high-quality research, the successful candidate will deliver up to 2 courses per year in either undergraduate or graduate instruction in areas that align with candidate qualifications and department needs (the specific courses will be determined at the time of appointment). The successful candidate will provide leadership and mentorship to both graduate and undergraduate students and is also expected to engage with relevant agricultural industry stakeholders.

We welcome applications from scholars at all career stages. Past holders of the Hadley Van Vliet Professorship have included both recent PhD graduates and established academics. The Department is committed to supporting the professional and scholarly development of the successful candidate, including providing strong mentorship to early-career scholars. Past early-career holders of the Professorship have gone on to successful tenure-track academic careers.

The Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics has a long history of research excellence in agricultural economics, policy and agribusiness. The department offers both a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in agricultural economics, as well as undergraduate programs in agribusiness, agricultural economics, and renewable resource management. The department is situated within the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, recognized as an international leader in applied research and scholarship with expertise in, and integrated across, four primary themes: Food, Feed and Bioproducts; Environment and Ecology; Business and Applied Economics; Plants and Animals. The college has a century-long reputation for teaching, research, and outreach and has been a consistent strength both for the university and the region. The college continues to play a pivotal role in the development of agricultural and food industries in Saskatchewan, building on a legacy of public engagement and cooperative partnerships. Our departmental faculty are committed to providing exceptional learning experiences and preparing graduates for leadership roles in the global bio-economy.

The University of Saskatchewan is situated on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. The main campus is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a fast-growing metropolitan area with a diverse and thriving economic base, supporting a vibrant arts community and a full range of leisure opportunities. Overall, the University has a long-standing reputation for excellence in teaching, research and scholarly activities, offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs to a diverse student population of over 25,000.

Salary bands for this position for the 2026 – 2027 academic year are as follows: Assistant Professor: $113,527 to $135,535; Associate Professor: $135,535 to $157,543; Full Professor: $157,543 to $183,219. Additional research funding for the Professorship is included to assist the appointee in developing and continuing a productive research program.

This position is supported by a comprehensive benefits package which includes a dental, health and extended vision care plan; pension plan, life insurance (compulsory and voluntary), academic long-term disability, sick leave, travel insurance, death benefits, an employee assistance program, a professional expense allowance, and a flexible health and wellness spending program.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Review of applications will begin December 1, 2026. A letter of application that outlines how your research aligns with the objectives of the Hadley Van Vliet Professorship, CV (including a list of publications and exposition of teaching experience), a job market paper or sample of recent research, and letters from three external referees should be submitted electronically through the Econ Job Market site: https://econjobmarket.org/positions/12865

*Due to federal immigration requirements, we also ask candidates to indicate whether they are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or are otherwise already authorized to work in this position for the duration of the appointment, with an explanation if this last category is indicated.

The University is committed to employment equity. Members of Designated Groups (women, indigenous people, people with disabilities and visible minorities) are encouraged to self-identify on their applications.

Enquiries about the position should be directed to: Dr. Eric Micheels, Associate Professor and Department Head, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of Saskatchewan, Canada; eric.micheels@usask.ca.

Relevant websites:

• Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics
• University of Saskatchewan
• City of Saskatoon