Position Description

Department of Mathematics

Assistant Professor

The faculty of the Department of Mathematics at the University of South Carolina, Columbia campus, invites applications for a 9-month, full-time, tenure-track  position at the rank of assistant professor to begin August 16, 2026. The position is in the area of discrete mathematics in a broad sense.

The position requires a Ph.D. in Mathematics, by the start date of the appointment, an outstanding research record, a commitment to effective teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and a demonstrated potential for excellence in both research and teaching.  

The successful candidate has an established research program in some key area of discrete mathematics, and a keen interest in its applications. Preferred research areas are: additive combinatorics, discrete and computational geometry, extremal combinatorics, graph and hypergraph theory, probabilistic combinatorics, and their applications to data science, network science, and computer science. We seek a candidate with research specializations in areas not covered by current faculty, but whose work overlaps those areas currently represented among our discrete mathematics faculty, allowing possible collaborations. We look for an outstanding candidate with demonstrated potential to establish a strong externally-funded research program and publication record. The successful candidate is expected to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels and, in particular, Discrete Math and Graph Theory courses at the graduate level in the Department of Mathematics.

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 Mathematics Department (http://www.math.sc.edu/), located in the heart of the historic campus, currently has 32 tenured and tenure-track faculty, 14 instructors, 57 graduate students,  112 majors, and 54 minors. Faculty research interests include algebra, analysis, applied and computational mathematics, constructive approximation, discrete mathematics, probability, geometry, mathematical biology, mathematical education, and number theory.

The University of South Carolina is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution. Women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

How to Apply

All applicants must apply online at USCJobs at https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/195028.  Applications must include: (1) a cover letter that describes their research and teaching interests, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) description of research plans, and (4) statement of teaching philosophy (5)  the names and email addresses of 4 references.

In addition,  applicants should upload the items above to the MathJobs website of the American Mathematical Society, https://www.mathjobs.org. The four letters of references should be submitted by the letter writers  to the same website. One of the reference letters should appraise the candidate’s teaching ability.

Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2025 and continue through till the position is filled. The last day to submit an applications is November 30, 2025. Inquiries about this position may be directed to Laszlo Szekely at szekely@math.sc.edu.