Candidates must hold a PhD, or be near the completion of their PhD degree, in finance, economics, real estate, or a closely related field; and have demonstrated superior accomplishments including scholarly research, teaching ability, promise of future contributions, and effective interaction with faculty colleagues, students and external constituents. Boulder is widely recognized as an entrepreneurial hub, with active venture capital, technology, natural foods, and renewable energy sectors; it is consistently recognized as one of the best places to live in the United States.