Description & Details: This position supports the Agricultural Risk Policy Center (ARPC) at North Dakota State University, a federally supported research center focused on agricultural policy, risk management, and market disruptions. ARPC delivers data-driven, policy-relevant research that informs decision-makers and provides valuable insights to producers, insurers, and stakeholders across the United States.
The Principal Economist, Crop Insurance Strategy and Industry Engagement plays a leadership role in advancing ARPC's work on the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) and strengthening the Center's connection to the crop insurance industry. This position works closely with Center leadership to identify emerging issues in crop insurance design, delivery, participation, and performance, while ensuring research remains relevant to both policy and industry needs.
This role combines applied research with strong stakeholder engagement, building relationships with insurance providers, agents, producer organizations, and industry partners to inform timely, evidence-based analysis. The position leads efforts to translate complex research and real-world insights into actionable guidance through policy briefs, reports, presentations, and other stakeholder-focused communication.
As a senior member of the team, this role provides leadership in crop insurance research, industry engagement, and collaborative project development, while mentoring staff and supporting externally funded initiatives that strengthen ARPC's long-term impact and visibility.
Key Responsibilities: - Collaborate closely with the ARPC Leadership to shape the center's crop insurance research
strategy, ensuring alignment with the Center's mission and broader agricultural risk policy
goals. - Lead empirical research on the FCIP, including questions related to product design, participation, producer decision making, delivery, and program performance.
- Build and maintain relationships with insurance and reinsurance providers, crop insurance
agents, producer organizations, lenders, and other industry stakeholders to strengthen ARPC's
connectivity to the crop insurance sector. - Provide near-time analysis of crop insurance policy changes, product innovations, sign-up
trends, and emerging delivery issues to inform research, outreach, and stakeholder decision-
making. - Translate field and industry insights into applied policy-relevant research products, including
white papers, policy briefs, presentations, and other stakeholder-facing materials. - Mentor junior researchers and contribute to a collaborative team environment that supports
high-quality research and timely project execution. - Work closely with the Director to secure external funding, build strategic partnerships, and sup
port the long-term growth of ARPC's crop insurance initiatives. - Monitor developments in crop insurance participation, product design, and delivery practices
and provide timely analysis for policymakers and industry stakeholders.
Work Schedule: This is a full-time, 10-month non-tenure-track position at the rank of Research Assistant/Associate Professor. Continuation is dependent on satisfactory performance and continued funding availability.
Hiring Range: $90,000 to $125,000
Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations.
Minimum Qualifications: - M.S. degree in agricultural economics, economics, or a closely related field.
- Demonstrated expertise in crop insurance, agricultural risk management, farm policy, or closely
related areas of applied agricultural economics. - Demonstrated experience conducting applied economic analysis related to producer decision
making, insurance and reinsurance design, policy evaluation, or agricultural risk management. - Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with crop insurance stakeholders, including insurance and reinsurance providers, crop insurance agents, producer organizations, lenders, or policymakers.
- Excellent communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to convey complex research findings to policymakers, industry audiences, and academic communities.
Preferred Qualifications: - A strong record of peer-reviewed publications in agricultural economics, risk management, crop i
nsurance, or related fields. - Experience working with FCIP, RMA, or other crop insurance-related data, or with comparable
administrative or industry datasets used in applied policy research. - Demonstrated success translating research into practical guidance for industry and policy audiences, especially in the context of agricultural risk management.
- Experience building and sustaining relationships with insurance and reinsurance providers, crop
insurance agents, or other stakeholders involved in crop insurance delivery. - Proven success in securing external funding and developing institutional partnerships that expand the reach and impact of applied research.
- Candidates with experience working directly with crop insurance providers, agents, or agricultural lenders are especially encouraged to apply.
Applicant Materials Required: - Cover letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Statements of research interests and stakeholder engagement experience
- Representative written work (e.g., policy brief, report, academic article, or working paper)
- Names and contact information for three professional references
Our commitment to caring for our employees isn't just words-it's proven. In NDSU's most recent Gallup Engagement Survey, our strengths centered on care and development.
" My supervisor, or someone at work, cares about me as a person" and
" I have the opportunities to learn and grow", were noted as top drivers. This reflects the culture you'll experience here.
NDSU OFFERS OUTSTANDING BENEFITS! Join a workplace that invests in your well-being, your future, and your success. Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:
Health & Wellness - 100% employer-paid health insurance premiums for single and family coverage
- Choice of PPO/Basic or High Deductible Health Plan with HSA
- Coverage begins the first of the month after your hire date
- Wellness incentives for healthy lifestyle participation
Exceptional Retirement Plan - Employer retirement contributions ranging from 7.5% up to an impressive 12.26% , depending on position
(One of the strongest retirement packages in the region!) - Your future is a priority, and it shows.
Time Away & Support - Generous annual leave , sick leave , and 10 paid holidays
- Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
- Supportive work-life balance
Education Benefits That Grow With You - Tuition waivers for employees (up to three classes per calendar year)
- 50% tuition waiver for spouse/partner and dependents
Additional Optional Benefits - Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Care
- Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care)
- Supplemental Retirement Plans
Explore Full Benefit Details: Benefits | Human Resources | NDSU 
