Economist Instructor or Lecturer - Economist in Residence

The Opportunity

The Barry S. Miller College of Business at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a 9-month, non-tenure earning, visiting instructor or lecturer to teach and mentor undergraduate students in the Department of Economics. The selected candidate will also have responsibilities as Economist-in-Residence to help lead a new Initiative on Economic Decision Systems with an anticipated start date as early as Spring 2027. This appointment is renewable for up to 4 years and is located on the UCF main campus.

The Economic Decision Systems Initiative is focused on how organizations design and operate decision systems in environments where data, technology, and human judgment increasingly interact. Through the Economic Decision Systems Lab, organizations will bring real decision problems into a working environment where faculty, students, and organizational partners examine how decisions are structured, how incentives are aligned, and how organizational capability develops over time.

The Economist-in-Residence will play a foundational role in helping establish the operating model for the Initiative. This role is intended for an economist with a dynamic, entrepreneurial interest in building new programs, creating applied partnerships, and translating economic reasoning into organizational practice.

The successful candidate will lead applied projects and will mentor students participating in structured project experiences. The projects will be tied to real organizational decision environments involving issues such as organizational design, decision rights, pricing systems, automation, risk and resilience, and human-machine decision integration.

This institution-building role focuses on establishing the Initiative during its formative phase. Continued appointment may be considered based on the success of the Initiative, the evolution of organizational partnerships, and the strategic direction of the college. Success will be defined primarily by the establishment of a functioning and sustainable Economic Decision Systems Lab through the development of a distinctive student experience, meaningful industry engagement, and successful applied projects.

Over the initial period, the Economist-in-Residence will be expected to help establish:

• a distinctive student experience tied to real organizational decision environment

• sustained engagement with external organizational partners

• a repeatable pipeline of applied decision-system projects

• operating processes and practices that allow the Initiative to function as a durable platform for applied engagement

• visible integration of economic reasoning into organizational decision-making challenges involving technology, data systems, and human judgment

About the College of Business

Consistent with UCF’s identity as Florida’s technological university, the College of Business is expanding its focus on technology-enabled business transformation, industry engagement, and applied research while remaining deeply committed to student success and academic excellence.

The College is entering a period of significant strategic investment and institutional momentum following a transformative $50 million philanthropic commitment from entrepreneur and investor Barry S. Miller. At the heart of this commitment is the focus on the intersection of business, technology, markets, organizations, and decision-making.

Economic Decision Systems represents one component of the college’s broader effort to help organizations navigate environments increasingly shaped by data systems, artificial intelligence, and technological change.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A master's degree (for an instructor) or a terminal degree (for a lecturer) in economics or a related discipline from an accredited institution at the time of application.

• Demonstrated experience applying economic reasoning and data analysis to support organizational decision-making in data-rich environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience applying economics to improve decisions in industry, consulting, government, financial services, technology, or other organizations.

• Experience leading applied projects at the intersection of economic reasoning, analytics, technology, and organizational design.

• Experience mentoring students or early-career professionals, or leading collaborative teams.

• Experience integrating human and artificial intelligence for organizational decision-making.

• A dynamic, entrepreneurial interest in developing partnerships and new programs.

• Ability and willingness to engage external organizations and help shape the direction of the Initiative.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents to be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/. In addition to the online application, interested candidates should upload the following:

• A curriculum vitae.

• A letter of interest describing qualifications and how their experience aligns with the goals of the Initiative and the qualifications listed above.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to: Uluc Aysun at [email protected].

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

On March 10, 2026, UCF received clarification that the current State moratorium on H‑1B visas applies not only to new sponsorships but also to H‑1B transfers into the institution. This means we are unable to process transfers for individuals currently holding H‑1B status with other employers. UCF will share updates as soon as State guidance changes or additional details become available.

Job Close Date:

Open until filled

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘Open until filled’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

• Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 

• Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

• Retirement savings options. 

• Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 

• Education assistance.

• Flexible work environment. 

• And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here.

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

Department

Barry S. Miller College of Business (CBA) - Department of Economics

Work Schedule

Varies

Type of Appointment

Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Expected Salary

Negotiable

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.  The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.  

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer. 

For general application or posting questions, please email [email protected].

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please email [email protected].