Assistant Professor of Department of Economics & Commonwealth Honors College

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Description

The Department of Economics and Commonwealth Honors College of the University of Massachusetts Amherst invites applications for a joint faculty appointment expected to start on September 1, 2026, at the level of Assistant Professor. We encourage applications from candidates in microeconomics (either theory or applied) and / or heterodox political economy (Marxian, Neo-Ricardian, institutionalist, feminist, or stratification economics). Applicants should have research that addresses current social and economic challenges. In particular, we encourage applications from scholars engaged in research on the economics of artificial intelligence and its impact on areas such as inequality, discrimination, occupational change, productivity, and growth. The teaching load is 2 / 2, inclusive of two economics courses with an honors designation. Honors Faculty also are engaged in the Commonwealth Honors College community and meet annually with the CHC Dean, in addition to contributing to the life of their home department, college, and university. Candidates will be judged on their scholarly research, as well as high quality and enthusiastic undergraduate teaching of honors students, especially principles, intermediate, and game theory. Under exceptional circumstances, candidates at other ranks may receive consideration.

Requirements

A Ph.D. in Economics, or a closely related field by the start date of the appointment. Candidates will be judged on their scholarly research, as well as high quality and enthusiastic undergraduate teaching of honors students. Rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Additional Information

The Economics faculty members at UMass Amherst work in diverse areas from both heterodox economics, such as Marxian, Post-Keynesian, Neo-Ricardian, Institutionalist, feminist, and stratification economics, as well mainstream approaches such as applied microeconomics, economics and philosophy, and general equilibrium theory. The faculty studies economic theory and applied economics related to multiple dimensions of human well-being and social welfare; how economic opportunities are generated and distributed in society; the interplay between power and institutions and between economic behavior and the performance of the economy; and, the importance of race, class, and gender. The Department is committed to fostering a diverse faculty, student body, and curriculum.

The Commonwealth Honors College is the flagship honors college for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and a nationally recognized residential community that serves the land grant mission of UMass Amherst. Honors students benefit from small honors classes and close-knit ties with faculty that enrich the honors thesis experience and student success.

Application Instructions

Applicants must apply through the UMass online application system unless they are unable do so. Applicants should submit :

A letter of interest addressed to Professor Patrick Mason, Chair, Department of Economics, (Crotty Hall, 412 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002 USA)

Curriculum vitae

One recent research paper

Evidence of teaching effectiveness

Names and contact information for three references who are willing to submit letters upon request through the UMass online application system

A teaching statement that discusses : the candidate's skills, experiences and commitment to teaching and mentoring diverse and historically underrepresented student populations.

Review of applications will begin on November 3, 2025 , and continue until the position is filled. Preference will be given to applications received on or before November 3, 2025. Candidates will interview remotely beginning in December 2025 with campus visits beginning after January 7, 2026. Questions can be addressed to hiring@econs.umass.edu.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.