Position Description

SMARTSTATE CHAIR IN MATHEMATICS AND DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR DATA ANALYSIS, SIMULATION, IMAGING, AND VISUALIZATION 

Department of Mathematics
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina

 The University of South Carolina invites applications for a SmartState Chair to direct the SmartState Center for Data Analysis, Simulation, Imaging, and Visualization (DASIV) in conjunction with the Williams-Hedberg-Hedberg Endowed Chair of Mathematics. This is a tenured, 9-month, full Professor position in the Department of Mathematics with the earliest starting date on August 16, 2023. The Center is co-sponsored by $2 million from the South Carolina SmartState Program established by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2002 (http://smartstatesc.org/) and by $2 million from the University of South Carolina for a total endowment of $4 million. The primary appointment of the Chair will be within the Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences.

 The successful candidate should have a Ph.D. in Mathematics or a related area plus at least nine years of effective, relevant experience. The candidate’s research specialization should be in areas of mathematics consistent with the Center’s major thrusts in data science, physical simulation, imaging, and visualization. The Chair should have international stature with an exceptional record of published research in high-quality journals, a demonstrated ability to attract significant funding from multiple sources, an established record of excellent teaching, a history of successful graduate student supervision and postdoc/junior faculty mentoring, and the ability to effectively lead team efforts in multidisciplinary projects.

 The SmartState Chair will guide the research activities of the SmartState Center and establish close ties with other academic units that use similar methods or applications. In addition to running a successful research center, the successful candidate will assist in hiring and mentoring fellows and junior faculty in the Center’s research area and the department of mathematics. It is expected that the center director will forge productive collaborations with UofSC faculty to establish a vigorous, internationally recognized research program in the center’s major thrust area. The University will provide space and infrastructure for the new endowed chair and his/her team and will work to acquire the resources needed to establish this Center at a nationally competitive level.

Applicants are required to submit a cover letter including professional goals and vision for DASIV, curriculum vitae with a list of publications, a statement of research interests and accomplishments, a statement of teaching, a statement on leadership and mentoring, and names of at least three references. All applicants must submit their applications through the online employment system “USC Jobs” at http://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/130892. Confidential inquiries and nominations can be made to the search committee chair, Professor Qi Wang at  qwang@math.sc.edu.

Applications will be evaluated as they are received by the Search Committee until the position is filled.

At the University of South Carolina, we strive to cultivate an inclusive environment that is open, welcoming, and supportive of individuals of all backgrounds. We recognize diversity in our workforce is essential to providing academic excellence and critical to our sustainability. The University is committed to eliminating barriers created by institutional discrimination through accountability and continuous process improvement. We celebrate the diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences of our employees.

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

The Department of Mathematics (http://www.math.sc.edu/), located in the heart of the historic UofSC Columbia campus, currently has 32 tenured and tenure-track faculty, 10 full-time instructors, 45 graduate students, and about 200 undergraduate majors. Faculty research interests include algebra, algebraic geometry, analysis, applied and computational mathematics, constructive approximation, data science, discrete mathematics, geometry, mathematical biology, mathematical education, and number theory. The University also hosts an honors college recently ranked as the nation's best among public school’s honors programs, with which the candidate will have the opportunity to work.

The University of South Carolina is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.  Minorities and women are encouraged to apply. The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, transgender status, age, color, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetics, protected veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.