Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Economics Professor

🎯 Role Definition

As an Economics Professor, you are a cornerstone of academic and intellectual life within a university or college. This multifaceted role involves shaping future economists and informed citizens through dedicated teaching, expanding the boundaries of economic knowledge through rigorous research, and contributing to the academic community through active service. You will be responsible for developing and delivering compelling coursework, mentoring students, producing high-impact scholarly work, and participating in the governance and strategic direction of your department and institution. This position demands a passion for economics, a commitment to scholarly inquiry, and the ability to inspire and guide the next generation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Economics
Visiting Assistant Professor or Lecturer
Ph.D. Graduate in Economics or a related field

Advancement To:

Department Chair or Head of Economics
Associate Dean or Dean of a College (e.g., Business, Arts & Sciences)
Director of a Research Center or Institute

Lateral Moves:

Senior Economist or Researcher at a government agency (e.g., Federal Reserve, Treasury Department)
Chief Economist or Quantitative Analyst in the private sector (e.g., finance, consulting)
Policy Advisor for an international organization (e.g., World Bank, IMF)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design and deliver engaging and rigorous instruction for undergraduate and graduate level courses in core economic fields such as microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics.
Develop and teach specialized upper-division and graduate-level elective courses that align with your specific area of research expertise (e.g., labor economics, international finance, environmental economics).
Maintain a dynamic and impactful research program that results in peer-reviewed publications in leading general interest and field-specific economics journals.
Actively seek and secure external research funding by writing and submitting grant proposals to government agencies, private foundations, and other funding bodies.
Provide dedicated academic advising and mentorship to undergraduate students, guiding them on course selection, major requirements, and potential career paths.
Supervise and mentor graduate students, including serving on dissertation committees and guiding them through their independent research projects to successful completion.
Stay current with the latest developments, theories, and empirical methods in the field of economics and integrate this knowledge into both teaching and research activities.
Evaluate student performance through the creation and grading of assignments, examinations, research papers, and other forms of academic assessment.
Hold regular office hours to provide one-on-one academic support and clarification to students outside of scheduled class time.
Contribute actively to curriculum development by proposing new courses, revising existing course content, and participating in program reviews to ensure academic excellence.
Present original research findings at national and international academic conferences, workshops, and seminars to disseminate knowledge and engage with the scholarly community.
Serve diligently on departmental, college-wide, and university-level committees, contributing to faculty governance, strategic planning, and policy-making.
Participate in the recruitment and hiring process for new faculty members by serving on search committees and evaluating candidates.
Engage in professional development activities to enhance teaching pedagogy, learn new research methodologies, and improve administrative skills.
Supervise undergraduate research projects, honors theses, and independent studies, fostering early-stage research talent.
Publish and maintain a scholarly profile that contributes positively to the reputation and ranking of the department and university.
Collaborate with faculty colleagues on interdisciplinary research projects, co-authoring papers, and developing joint grant proposals.
Advise student organizations and clubs, such as an economics society or a Fed Challenge team, to enhance the co-curricular student experience.
Prepare materials for and participate in the tenure and promotion review process, documenting achievements in research, teaching, and service.
Communicate complex economic concepts and research findings effectively to diverse audiences, including students, fellow academics, and the general public.
Foster an inclusive and equitable learning environment in the classroom that is welcoming to students from all backgrounds and perspectives.

Secondary Functions

Engage in public outreach and community service, such as giving public lectures or providing expert commentary to media outlets on current economic issues.
Participate in the peer-review process for academic journals and conferences, providing constructive feedback to fellow scholars and upholding academic standards.
Contribute to departmental administrative tasks, such as coordinating course schedules, managing program assessments, or organizing seminar series.
Build and maintain professional networks with academics at other institutions, as well as with professionals in government and industry, to foster collaboration and opportunities for students.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Econometric & Statistical Analysis: Mastery of advanced econometric techniques, including time-series analysis, cross-sectional and panel data methods, and causal inference.
Economic Modeling: Proficiency in developing and applying theoretical and empirical economic models to analyze complex problems.
Specialized Field Expertise: Deep knowledge in at least one specific field of economics (e.g., Development Economics, Behavioral Economics, Industrial Organization, Public Finance).
Statistical Software Proficiency: Advanced skills in using statistical software packages such as Stata, R, or Python for data analysis and empirical research.
Computational Skills: Familiarity with programming languages or software like MATLAB, Julia, or SAS for computation-intensive modeling and simulation.
Data Management: Ability to manage, clean, and manipulate large and complex datasets from various sources (e.g., survey data, administrative data, financial data).
Grant Writing & Proposal Development: Skill in identifying funding opportunities and writing persuasive grant proposals to secure research funding.
Curriculum Design: Ability to design coherent, effective, and innovative course syllabi and learning materials for a university-level audience.
Scholarly Writing: Exceptional ability to write clear, concise, and high-impact academic papers suitable for publication in top-tier journals.
Quantitative Research Methods: Comprehensive understanding of research design, experimental methods, and quasi-experimental techniques.

Soft Skills

Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for lecturing, publishing, and presenting complex ideas to diverse audiences.
Mentorship: A strong ability and desire to guide, support, and mentor students in their academic and professional development.
Critical Thinking: Superior analytical and problem-solving skills to conduct innovative research and critically evaluate economic arguments.
Public Speaking: Confidence and clarity in presenting research at conferences and delivering lectures to large and small groups.
Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with other researchers, faculty members, and administrative staff on joint projects and committees.
Time Management & Organization: Strong organizational skills to balance the competing demands of teaching, research, and service.
Intellectual Curiosity: A deep and persistent desire to ask new questions, explore new ideas, and push the frontiers of economic knowledge.
Resilience & Perseverance: The ability to handle rejection (e.g., from journals, grant applications) and persist in long-term research goals.
Leadership: Potential to take on leadership roles within the department and university over time.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:
A Ph.D. in Economics or a closely related field is required. Candidates who are "All But Dissertation" (ABD) and are near completion may be considered for entry-level (Assistant Professor) positions, with the expectation that the Ph.D. will be conferred by the start date.

Preferred Education:
A doctoral degree from a highly-ranked, research-intensive university with a strong reputation in the candidate's field of specialization.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Economics
Applied Economics
Econometrics
Financial Economics
Agricultural Economics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:
Varies significantly by academic rank.

Assistant Professor: 0-6 years of post-Ph.D. experience. Focus is on demonstrating potential for high-quality research and effective teaching.
Associate/Full Professor: 5+ years of post-Ph.D. experience, requiring a substantial record of high-impact publications, demonstrated teaching excellence, and a history of professional service.

Preferred:

A clear and promising research agenda with a pipeline of working papers and ongoing projects.
Evidence of teaching effectiveness, such as teaching evaluations, a teaching portfolio, or prior instructional experience as a TA or lecturer.
A completed "job market paper" that showcases strong, independent research skills (for entry-level candidates).
For senior-level appointments, a national or international reputation as a leading scholar in their field and a proven track record of securing external funding.