Assistant Professor in the Mathematics of AI

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Utah State University (USU) invites applications for a 9-month tenure-track Assistant Professor position in the Mathematics of Artificial Intelligence with a starting date of August 1 2026. We seek candidates whose research bridges mathematical foundations and computational methods to advance AI methodology and applications.

This position is inherently interdisciplinary. We seek candidates who demonstrate potential for strong synergies with the departments existing research strengths in Applied/MathBio Statistics and Machine Learning Analysis/PDE and Discrete Math. Candidates should also be able to partner broadly with researchers across campus such as those in the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Center School of Computing engineering natural sciences agriculture natural resources and social sciences.

Ideal candidates will have a robust mathematical background and have expertise in one or more of the following areas (not exhaustive):

• Uncertainty quantification stochastic analysis or probabilistic modeling
• Statistical learning theory high dimensional inference or generalization/robustness
• PDEs dynamical systems or stochastic differential equations especially as they interact with learning
• Graph and network methods algorithmic combinatorics discrete optimization or network science
• Principled methods for interpretability certification fairness or robustness in AI.

Ideal candidates should also show interest in principled quantitative approaches to large-scale data from genetics networks or environmental systems. Preference will be given to applicants with potential to (a) attract external funding (e.g. NSF NIH DOE DoD etc.) (b) engage in multi-investigator or cross-unit proposals (c) foster collaborations with industry government labs or domain scientists and (d) contribute strongly to national or international programs in trustworthy and foundational AI.

• Research: Develop an independent and externally funded research program at the interface of mathematics and AI.
• Teaching: Deliver undergraduate core mathematics courses (1000-3000 levels) courses within the interdisciplinary/applied mathematics graduate core (see USU General Catalog at and search courses with prefix MATH numbered 5000) and develop advanced courses in AI machine learning computational mathematics and data science.
• Mentorship: supervise graduate students (PhD and MS including the Industrial Math MS) and undergraduate students in programs including AI/data science and computational math.
• Collaboration: establish and maintain synergies across campus (e.g. computing engineering life sciences natural resources social sciences) and contribute to campus-level AI/data science initiatives.
• Service: departmental college and professional service consistent with expectations for a tenure-track faculty member.

The position is 50% research 45% teaching and 5% service with expectations that over time the candidate will increase external funding expand collaborative reach and help build curricular strength in computational mathematics and data science.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics Mathematics Statistics Computer Science Engineering or a closely related field.
• Research record of excellence at the interface of mathematics and AI/ML.
• Evidence of or potential for strong teaching and mentoring across diverse student populations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in interdisciplinary collaboration particularly with biological ecological and environmental scientists.
• Postdoctoral or equivalent training.
• Experience with external research funding and collaborative proposals.
• Evidence of or potential for collaborations with industry government labs or domain scientists.
• Evidence of or potential for contributions to national or international programs on trustworthy and foundational AI.

Review of applications begins on December 15th 2025 with the position open until filled. For more information please contact search committee chair Dr. Luis Gordillo ().

Applicants should submit the following:

1. Curriculum vitae (upload at the beginning of application in the Candidate Profile under Resume/CV)

2. Cover letter addressing fit with the mission of this position and existing departmental strengths to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Documents 1-10

3. Research statement to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Documents 1-10

4. Teaching statement/philosophy to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under Documents 1-10

5. At least three letters of recommendation (to be submitted via MathJobs link below) with at least one addressing the applicants teaching experience and potential

All application materials except for reference letters must be provided through the USU Jobs site: letters must be provided via MathJobs at size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees typically work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics is committed to delivering advanced quantitative and analytic skills for professionals in education industry and research through classroom instruction as well as practical and research experiences. The Department is one of the largest departments at USU with over 50 faculty members 60 Masters and PhD students and 300 undergraduate majors. The College of Arts and Sciences and USUs Research Office makes significant investments in faculty development including startup packages faculty seed grants and proposal development assistance.

USU is located in Logan Utah a city of 54000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 1.5 hours north of Salt Lake City and just minutes from the Cache National Forest. Its location puts us close to Utahs vibrant tech economy as well as recreation opportunities in Utahs abundant national and state parks and monuments. Please see the department jobs website to view other available faculty and post-doc positions in the department.

Founded in 1888 Utah State University is Utahs premier land-grant public service university. As an R1 research institution Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local regional and global communities. USU prepares students to be active civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education USU remains a leader in research discovery and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29800 students both online and in person atlocations throughout the state.Utah States 30 locations include a main campus in Logan Utah residential campuses in Price and Blanding and six additional statewide campuses along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season.The Aggies long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in womens volleyball three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in womens soccer conference championships and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics reflecting USUs commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected valued and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit hire and retain people from all walks of life who willchampion excellence in education research discovery outreach and believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be recognized our commitment to employees when they namedUtah State the best employer in Utahin 2023.Learn moreabout USU.

The university provides aDual Career Assistance Programto support careers for partners who are also seeking is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability contact the universitys ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at or.

*updated 12/2025

In its programs and activities including in admissions and employment Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment based on race color religion sex national origin age genetic information sexual orientation gender identity disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by University policy Title IX or any other federal state or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring promotion transfer or termination based on race color religion sex national origin age genetic information sexual orientation gender identity disability status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal state or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race color religion sex familial status disability national origin source of income sexual orientation or gender identity. Additionally the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USUs non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination please visit or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

*updated 10/2025