Research Specialist I – Agricultural Policy Research

About the role

The Research Specialist I will support agricultural policy research within the AFPC network, collecting and analyzing farm‑level data and communicating findings to stakeholders such as legislative staff and industry partners.

Key responsibilities

• Attend in‑person agricultural focus‑group meetings to collect primary data for AFPC representative crop, livestock, and specialty farms.
• Process farm‑level data and run whole‑farm simulation analyses using the FarmESP model for clients including House and Senate Agriculture Committee staff.
• Perform and review simulation modeling with the Python‑based AFPC farm‑level simulation model.
• Assist faculty and research staff in preparing scientific publications, briefing papers, and presentations.
• Conduct decision‑aid analyses for a nationwide network of existing and future clients.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• Four years of related experience in agricultural research or policy analysis.
• Experience collecting primary data from producers, preferably using a modified Delphi approach.
• Experience entering data into the FarmESP farm‑visit editor.

Required skills

• Python programming for simulation modeling.
• Use of the FarmESP farm‑level simulation tool.