Principal Economist - Crop Insurance Strategy & Industry Engagement

The Agricultural Risk Policy Center (ARPC) at North Dakota State University invites applications for a Principal Economist position. This appointment offers a leadership opportunity for an individual passionate about advancing evidence-based agricultural policy and strengthening the Center’s work on the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP), crop insurance delivery, and agricultural risk management. The Principal Economist will work closely with the ARPC Director and the FCIP Program Leader to help shape the Center’s strategic direction for its crop insurance research agenda. This collaborative role involves identifying emerging issues in crop insurance product design, delivery, participation, and performance; guiding the development of timely, stakeholder-relevant research products; and ensuring ARPC’s work remains responsive to pressing questions facing producers, insurers, and policymakers. A vital part of this position is collaborating closely with the ARPC Leadership to strengthen the Center’s relationships with insurance and reinsurance providers, crop insurance agents, producer organizations, agricultural lenders, and other industry stakeholders. The successful candidate will help ensure that the Center remains closely connected to the operational pulse of crop insurance and can translate real-time industry intelligence into rigorous, policy-relevant analysis. The Principal Economist will provide day-to-day leadership on ARPC’s crop insurance portfolio, mentor junior economists, and foster a collaborative environment that encourages innovative, applied problem-solving. The role will also support external funding development and help position ARPC as a trusted source of independent research and engagement for the crop insurance community. 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 support 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. 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 insurance, 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr