Job Description

The Department of Community Sustainability at Michigan State University is seeking a highly skilled Research Specialist to lead the “Applying Mediated Modeling and System Dynamics to Strengthen Agricultural Policy Research Institutes (APRIs) across Africa” project. This role focuses on bridging the gap between complex systems and modeling and real-world agricultural policy to support smallholder farmers and enhance food security.

Key Responsibilities

• Systems Modeling & Analysis: Utilize Mediated Modeling and System Dynamics Modeling (SDM) to identify organizational bottlenecks and strengthen strategic planning within African Agricultural Policy Research Institutes.
• Decision Support: Develop and implement customized decision-support tools that enable local institutions to respond effectively to food security concerns.
• Policy Engagement: Collaborate with international stakeholders to influence agricultural policy and enhance outcomes for smallholder farmers across the African continent
• Strategic Outreach: Serve as a primary liaison between the department and global partners, facilitating capacity-building strategies and research dissemination.
• Project Leadership: Manage project momentum in the wake of funding transitions, ensuring alignment with the mission of fostering sustainable solutions at the intersection of agriculture, natural resources, and community well-being.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -Ph.D. or equivalent research experience in Community Sustainability, Agricultural Economics, Systems Engineering, or a related field.

Minimum Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Technical Expertise: Proven experience in System Dynamics Modeling (SDM) and Mediated Modeling.
• Domain Knowledge: Deep understanding of international agricultural policy, food security, and the specific challenges facing African APRIs.
• Communication: Exceptional ability to translate complex data into actionable strategies for executive-level decision-makers and local practitioners.
• Academic Background: Ph.D. or equivalent research experience in Community Sustainability, Agricultural Economics, Systems Engineering, or a related field.

Required Application Materials

1) Cover letter

2) Complete CV

3) Names and contact information for 3 references

Special Instructions

Please address questions regarding this position to the Search Committee Chair: Dr. Rebecca Jordan, Department of Community Sustainability, Michigan State University: jordanre@msu.edu

Review of Applications Begins On

05/05/2026

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Website

https://www.canr.msu.edu/csus/

Department Statement

The Department of Community Sustainability is a vibrant community of scholars who engage with colleagues, students, stakeholders and communities to address sustainability challenges within specific environmental, economic and cultural contexts. We do this by:

• Focusing on sustainability engagement that embraces the decisions inherent in the transition to a more sustainable future;
• Creating and supporting a dedicated faculty working on sustainability-related issues;
• Incorporating a systems-thinking view of sustainability into curricula at the undergraduate level, graduate level, and lifelong learner level; and
• Conducting sustainability scholarship that is international in scope while attending to regional and local contexts.

As scholar-practitioners, and as a multidisciplinary department, we address critical issues at the interface of agriculture, natural resources, recreation, and communities. Through engaged scholarship, we aim to generate knowledge that will be useful to people in their roles as residents, landowners, businesses, and governmental and non-profit institutions.

We seek to understand the dynamic interactions in communities, ecosystems, and the world, as well as opportunities for sustainable development. This work is rooted in our view of a just, engaged, and dynamic society. Toward that end, we are guided by an ethic of responsible and responsive scholarship that engages people and communities.

Consistent with its mission to contribute to the development of sustainable communities, the Department offers three undergraduate majors (Bachelor of Science) linked by a common core in community sustainability: (1) Environmental Studies and Sustainability (ESS); (2) Sustainable Parks, Recreation and Tourism (SPRT); and (3) Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Education. Michigan State University is the only institution in Michigan certifying school-based secondary agricultural teachers. The Department offers graduate degrees in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources Education (MA), Community Sustainability (MS and PhD), and Sustainable Tourism and Protected Areas Management (MS and PhD). In both undergraduate and graduate programs, the Department of Community Sustainability embraces international as well as domestic applications, engagement, and opportunities.

Additional information about the Department is available a t www.csus.msu.edu.

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.