Kenan-Flagler Bus Sch - 330100

02/24/2025

03/24/2025

No

Permanent Faculty

Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, or Research Professor (Economist)

Fixed Term Faculty

FAC0005484

Full-Time Permanent

40

1

North Carolina, US

04/30/2025

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research, and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation’s top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts, and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work, and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation, and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development, and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant, and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers, and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life, and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

At the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, we think differently; and more importantly, we teach differently. Opening our doors as the Department of Commerce in 1919 and awarding our first degrees to 12 students in 1921 was the beginning. Today, we have become a top-ranked business school comprised of several professional and academic degree programs that serve over 3,000 students. At Kenan-Flagler, our greatest assets are our people and our culture. We are rooted in our core values of integrity, inclusion, innovation and impact, and it goes back to our founding. It’s not just something on paper, we live it, we show it. Our mission is to prepare the next generation of business leaders by providing a world class education to our students. We seek to recruit diverse, innovative, and exceptional talent to achieve this goal.

Founded in 1985 by visionary entrepreneur and philanthropist Frank Hawkins Kenan, the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise (Institute) is the research, outreach, and strategic planning arm of the Kenan-Flagler Business School. The Institute and its affiliated centers convene leaders from the private sector, academic community, and government to build a greater understanding of how the business sector can work for the public good. The lnstitute’s mission is to develop and promote innovative, market-based solutions to vital economic issues. With the belief that private enterprise is the cornerstone of a prosperous and free society, the Institute fosters the entrepreneurial spirit to stimulate economic prosperity and improve the lives of people in North Carolina, across the country, and around the world.

The Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, or Research Professor (Economist) will serve in the role of Regional Economist for the Institute. In this capacity, they will help direct the lnstitute’s regional research activities related to its American Growth Project initiative and support efforts to translate regional economic and business data into actionable policy recommendations for broader societal impact. This includes producing economic and/or econometric analyses as well as related business research publications and products important to the Institute’s external reputation along with that of its affiliated centers.

The Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, or Research Professor (Economist) has the following core responsibilities and duties:
- provide strategic vision, delivery, and leadership on regional economic research and related policy initiatives at the Institute
- produce relevant and insightful thought leadership in the area of regional economic and public policy research
- ensure ongoing programmatic excellence, rigorous program evaluation, and consistent quality of regional research communications
- present regional economic policy and business insights to distinguished external audiences and assist in the translation and curation of academic research for various external stakeholders
- facilitate relationships that provide support for the Institute in order to achieve its strategic goals

The Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, or Research Professor (Economist) ultimately seeks to:
- impact and influence the economic and commercial decisions of critical business leaders and local, state, federal, and non-US policymakers
- steward scholarship in relevant academic fields
- achieve relevance of work to the full spectrum of external stakeholders
- become a widely known and trusted resource for objective regional economic policy information and the role of private-sector business in society

This position works very closely with and reports to a research faculty member serving as the chief economist for the Institute. The position also works closely with the Director of Research Services, the Faculty Research Director, the Director of External Affairs, the Executive Director of NCGrowth, and faculty at the Kenan-Flagler Business School.

The position requires a master’s degree (or foreign equivalent) in Economics, Financial Economics, Public Policy, or a related field. Hired candidates with a master’s degree can anticipate an appointment of Research Instructor. Hired candidates with a doctorate can anticipate an initial appointment of Research Assistant Professor, Research Associate Professor, or Research Professor.

It is preferred that the successful candidate will possess:
- a doctorate and at least 5 years of related experience that includes experience in public-sector or private-sector business and familiarity with regional economic research and its potential to impact practice and policy
- experience presenting to large and influential audiences, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and managing people and processes. The successful candidate will possess a style that is entrepreneurial, strategic, results-oriented, and empathetic and also be skilled at cultivating and sustaining networks and key stakeholder relationships both inside and outside of the University. The ability to work effectively in an academic environment in which collaborative decision-making occurs is also preferred.
- outstanding technical, written, and verbal presentation skills with the business, policy, and academic communities
- excellent presentation, interpersonal, diplomatic, and communication skills necessary to develop successful working relationships with diverse external partners
- excellent technical skills in economic policy analysis or related fields
- the ability to work across schools and departments at the University and other organizations
- experience interacting with federal, state, and local government leadership (elected officials, senior staff, and appointed officials)
- knowledge about major non-profit organizations and foundations doing work or funding in the areas of regional economics, economic development, finance, entrepreneurship, and emerging business technologies
- experience planning, hosting, and participating in high-profile events, such as research conferences, symposiums, and forums
- demonstrated ability to engage and interact with private sector business senior executives
- experience communicating findings from academic research as well as engaging academic researchers in sponsored research initiatives
- willingness to travel several times a year to meet with key stakeholders

Not Applicable.

Applicants may view the job posting and follow the application process to be considered at: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/297233.

Applicants should submit a Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae/Résumé, and Writing/Research Sample. At the time of hire, the selected applicant should be prepared to arrange submission of two (2) signed letters of recommendation, on institutional letterhead, from individuals not affiliated with the Kenan-Flagler Business School.