Tenure-Track: Assistant Professor - Agribusiness Entrepreneurship

Description

The Department of Agricultural Economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University invites applications for one full-time, tenure-track faculty position with a 9-month academic appointment beginning August 1, 2026.  Applicants will be considered for the faculty title of Assistant Professor position in Agribusiness Entrepreneurship. The successful candidate will contribute to the teaching, research, and service missions of the department with an emphasis on agribusiness entrepreneurship and innovation. This position is associated with the Dianne and M. Edward Rister ’74 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, a premier academic program that provides students with real-world entrepreneurial experiences through the development of business plans and models. As a member of this program, the faculty member will  have responsibilities in teaching, research, and stakeholder outreach, and will actively engage in entrepreneurship education and experiential learning initiatives tied to the Rister Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Teaching: Teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in agribusiness management and entrepreneurship. Develop  and deliver innovative, experiential learning-based curricula that integrate business plan development and models, agribusiness innovation, and entrepreneurial strategy. Incorporate the Rister Program’s hands-on approach by mentoring students through capstone projects and new venture creation experiences

Research: Develop a vigorous research program in agribusiness entrepreneurship and innovation. Publish scholarly research in peer-reviewed journals and pursue external funding to support research activities. Collaborative research with colleagues, industry partners, or interdisciplinary teams is encouraged to generate practical insights that advance the agribusiness entrepreneurship field.

Service: Contribute to the Department, College, and University through committee service and other governance activities. Participate in professional organizations and community service related to agribusiness and entrepreneurship. The faculty member is also expected to contribute to the strategic growth and visibility of the Rister ’74 Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program, including collaboration with program donors, industry advisory boards, and alumni mentors as needed.

The ideal candidate will also engage with agribusiness stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and community partners, translate research findings into practical recommendations and resources for industry and entrepreneurial communities, and actively participate in and help organize the Rister Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program’s flagship outreach events.

Qualifications

Education: Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Business (e.g., Management or Entrepreneurship), or a closely related field. ABD candidates may be considered, provided they demonstrate clear progress toward completion of PhD.

Teaching Excellence: Demonstrated potential (or evidence) of effective teaching and instruction at the university level. Ability to teach courses in agribusiness entrepreneurship and related subjects. A commitment to innovative teaching methods, including experiential and applied learning approaches, is essential.

Research Capability: Strong potential for developing a nationally recognized research program in agribusiness entrepreneurship and innovation. Evidence of research potential (e.g., refereed journal publications, conference presentations) in relevant topic areas is expected.

Preferred Qualifications

Entrepreneurial Experience: Direct experience in agribusiness entrepreneurship or startup ventures. For example, experience founding, managing, or consulting for a startup or new business in the agriculture/food/agribusiness sector is highly desirable. Such experience can inform teaching and provide valuable real-world perspectives to students.

Industry Partnerships: Experience developing collaborations or partnerships with private industry, investors, or government agencies in the context of agribusiness or innovation. A record of working with industry stakeholders (e.g., on research projects, student experiential opportunities, or extension programs) will be viewed favorably.

Curriculum Design and Program Development: Experience in curriculum design, course development, or program coordination in entrepreneurship or business education. Ability to design new courses or enhance existing courses in agribusiness entrepreneurship, especially those with experiential learning components, is a plus.

Experiential Learning Leadership: Involvement in l