(Hybrid) Post-doctoral Scholar - Regional Research Institute

The Regional Research Institute (RRI) at West Virginia University (WVU) is an internationally recognized center for the advancement of regional science. The RRI supports regional research with a focus on the economic and social development of lagging regions and plays an important role in fulfilling WVU’s land grant mission. More information is available at https://rri.wvu.edu/.

Job Summary

The Regional Research Institute (RRI) at West Virginia University (WVU) seeks applications for a post-doctoral scholar (post-doc) who will report to the RRI director to help conduct regional economic research on a wide range of topics, including topics related to externally funded applied and academic research projects. The qualified individual will be responsible for economic and statistical analyses using a variety of data sources and in developing manuscripts, reports, and presentations for use in disseminating the results to both academic and public audiences. The post-doc will also assist the RRI director in supervising graduate students and in developing new research projects for the RRI. The post-doc will have opportunities to collaborate with scholars at WVU and internationally, to attend conferences, and for networking.

Anticipated Start Date: June 1, 2026

Anticipated Employment Timeframe: June 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027

Application deadline: Screening of applications will begin immediately; the position will remain open until filled.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist the RRI director with developing research topics and executing research projects.
• Conduct economic and statistical analyses using statistical software and a variety of data sources
• Actively contribute to the RRI research team
• Assist the RRI director in supervising graduate students
• Provide technical assistance and general direction to students
• Assist with grant and other funding applications
• Disseminate the research findings to both academic and public audiences
• Attend and present results at regional, national, and/or international meetings
• Develop manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Develop written materials for public audiences
• Indirect supervision of graduate students along with the RRI director.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Research experience related to regional economics or regional science
• State-of-the art econometric and statistical software skills
• Experience with a variety of statistical packages; preference for ArcGIS 
• Knowledge of economic impact analysis; preference for experience with this
• Excellent oral and written communication, including manuscript preparation
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently and in a collaborative environment
• Proven organizational skills

Education

• Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate in regional economics or a related field or be ABD with completion of their Ph.D. by no later than December 31, 2026.

Experience

• Research experience related to regional economics or regional science
• Experience with STATA or R statistical packages and state-of-the art econometric analysis
• Preference for experience with ArcGIS
• Preference for experience with economic impact analysis
• Education as noted above

Location

• Hybrid/Morgantown, West Virginia. (Hybrid expectations are regular attendance at in-person meetings).

Documents required for Application

• CV
• Cover Letter
• Transcript (unofficial copies are acceptable)
• Research Paper
• Names and contact information for three references

Funding for this position

• The RRI has external funding to support this position.