Tenure-Track: Assistant Professor - Agribusiness Entrepreneurship

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.

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 leading or organizing experiential learning activities related to entrepreneurship (such as business plan competitions, incubator/accelerator programs, student innovation challenges, or mentorship programs). Demonstrated success in guiding students through practical projects or competitions will strengthen the application.

Communication and Engagement: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with students, colleagues, and external stakeholders. This includes the capacity to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams and to interact with industry partners and entrepreneurial communities.

Commitment to Outreach: A willingness to actively participate in outreach programming and to translate research and teaching into real-world impact for the agribusiness sector.

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin on November 20, 2025 and continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, candidates are encouraged to submit all application materials by this date.

Applicants should submit the following documents via Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/174743.

Cover Letter outlining interest in the position, qualifications, and a brief overview of current/planned teaching and research in agribusiness entrepreneurship.

Curriculum Vitae detailing educational background, research publications, teaching experience, outreach experience, and any relevant industry or entrepreneurial experience.

Statement of Teaching Philosophy, Research and Service Interests describing the candidate’s approach to teaching (including experiential learning or innovation in the classroom) and outlining ongoing or future research plans in agribusiness entrepreneurship. This statement should also highlight how the candidate’s work will integrate with the mission of the Rister Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program.

Names and Contact Information for three professional References. Letters of recommendation may be requested by the search committee at a later stage.

Contact for Questions: For any questions about the position or application process, please contact Dr. Simon Somogyi, Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, at simon.somogyi@ag.tamu.edu.