Saint Louis University - John Simon Endowed Chair in Economics in the Richard Chaifetz School of Business

Saint Louis University invites applications for the John Simon Endowed Chair in Economics in the Richard Chaifetz School of Business. Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University, a Jesuit institution, is one of the nation’s most prestigious Catholic universities. Steeped in a 500-year-old Ignatian tradition of spirituality, pedagogy and intellectual inquiry, Saint Louis University enters its third century with a clear vision for its future and that of a city in which students, staff and faculty can have enormously constructive impacts. Racial justice, social justice, economic opportunity, the social determinants of health and child and adult education are local issues in which the SLU community is intent on making a difference while working alongside passionate residents and city leaders to reimagine, transform and unify St. Louis.

The Richard A. Chaifetz School of Business at Saint Louis University is located at the heart of a vibrant and growing business community and energized by its Catholic, Jesuit values. With a mission that resonates across and beyond the University, the Chaifetz School is poised to thrive in an evolving marketplace that puts a premium on critical thinking, entrepreneurial approaches and ethical behavior. Add to that students, faculty and staff who are passionate about social justice, diversity and inclusion and the education of the whole person, and you have an environment ripe for leadership that will accelerate the Chaifetz School into a new era of success.

John Simon, a historically renowned St. Louis philanthropist, investor and proponent of education, created a generous $6 million endowment to advance teaching, research and service in economics at Saint Louis University. Today, the endowment has over $1 million available in principal funds to advance John Simon’s wishes in alignment with SLU’s Jesuit Mission. The Endowed Chair position is an extension of the University’s mission and commitment to the prominence and importance of social science research, with economics as the central, organizing social science. Saint Louis University is currently in the process of transitioning its Carnegie classification from R2 to R1 and is on track to receive this distinction within the next four years. The successful candidate will be a highly distinguished scholar, an “evangelist” of economics and will possess a strong and proven record of accomplishment of scholarly research in economics and evidence of cross-disciplinary collaboration.

A prolific and highly respected scholar in the field of economics, the Endowed Chair is expected to support the needs of the Department of Economics through scholarship, teaching, service and mentorship as well as play a leading role and spur interdisciplinary collaboration with other academic units across the campus. These cross-disciplinary efforts include efforts with the social sciences, the humanities and the natural sciences to tackle critical issues within the discipline of economics. The Endowed Chair will have an opportunity to collaborate with a variety of campus constituents to build a more inclusive, multi-disciplinary research agenda across the campus; energize research areas that are ripe for further investment; deepen Saint Louis University’s commitment to the advancement of research, community engagement and social justice.

When the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency announced its intention to build a $1.75 billion headquarters in St. Louis, the region enthusiastically doubled down on the geospatial sector. In the spring of last year, Saint Louis University announced the launch of the Taylor Geospatial Institute (TGI). The TGI is a consortium of eight research institutions, led by Saint Louis University, that share their expertise and an array of critical research facilities to advance geospatial science. To that end, Saint Louis University seeks a collaborative, interdisciplinary and community-focused scholar who can act as a catalyst to promote high-impact research and advocacy. The Endowed Chair will have a rare and unique opportunity to partner with institutes like TGI.

The incoming Endowed Chair must be a creative, passionate and distinguished scholar who values John E. Simon’s legacy in his commitment to furthering support of business and social science research and education. The successful candidate will be a tenured full professor in the Department of Economics. Funding is also readily available for research support, travel and research assistance from the John Simon chair endowment. The successful candidate will have a tenured appointment in the Department of Economics; support the department’s needs for research contributions, teaching and service; and embody the namesake’s lifelong commitment to Saint Louis and the pursuit of economic research.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the position prospectus. Professional references are not requested at this time.

WittKieffer is assisting Saint Louis University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by April 2, 2023.

Application materials should be submitted using the buttons below.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Bree Liddell, Melissa Fincher and Natalie Song
SLU-EndowedECONChair@wittkieffer.com

Saint Louis University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for the position applied for without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors. We welcome and encourage applications from minorities, women, protected veterans and individuals with disabilities (including disabled veterans). If accommodations are needed for completing the application and/or with the interviewing process, please contact WittKieffer at SLU-EndowedECONChair@wittkieffer.com.