I am recruiting two (2) domestic students (US citizens or Permanent Resident) for M.S. Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) positions starting Fall 2026.
Project Overview
This USDA-funded project, “Exploring Disparities in SNAP Program Participation and Nutritional Outcomes in the Southeastern United States and Texas,” examines how changes in SNAP retailer access affect food access and nutrition outcomes. The research integrates large-scale administrative data, primary survey data collection, spatial analysis, and advanced econometric and machine learning methods to generate policy-relevant insights.
The Role
The selected students will:
Clean and manage large-scale datasets (SNAP, ACS, GIS-linked data)
Assist in designing and implementing primary surveys related to food access and nutrition
Conduct econometric and machine learning analysis
Contribute to research publications and conference presentations
Support policy-relevant research on food access and nutrition
Minimum Requirements
Domestic applicant (per funding requirements)
GRE score of 290 or above
Bachelor’s degree in economics, agricultural economics, agribusiness, or related field
Strong interest in quantitative research
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with R, Stata, or Python
Exposure to GIS or spatial analysis
Interest in applied policy research
Funding & Benefits
Funded M.S. degree in Agricultural Business and Leadership with stipend support
Hands-on experience with both survey and large-scale secondary datasets
Opportunities for publications and conference presentations
Mentorship in applied econometrics and policy analysis
Graduate School Application Deadline: July 1, 2026
GRA candidate review will begin immediately and continue on a rolling basis until positions are filled.
Application Requirements
Email a single PDF to jmuriuki@tnstate.edu including:
CV/Resume
Statement of interest
Unofficial transcripts
GRE scores (or willingness to take the GRE before the application deadline)
Contact information for three references
Contact: jmuriuki@tnstate.edu
+1-615-963-5776
