Assistant Professor in the Mathematics of AI

Utah State University • Logan, UT

68d • $85,000

About The Position

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 department's 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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Develop an independent and externally funded research program at the interface of mathematics and AI.
• Deliver undergraduate core mathematics courses (1000-3000 levels), courses within the interdisciplinary/applied mathematics graduate core, and develop advanced courses in AI, machine learning, computational mathematics, and data science.
• Supervise graduate students (PhD and MS, including the Industrial Math MS) and undergraduate students in programs including AI/data science and computational math.
• Establish and maintain synergies across campus and contribute to campus-level AI/data science initiatives.
• Engage in departmental, college, and professional service consistent with expectations for a tenure-track faculty member.

Benefits

• Minimum $85,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience, plus excellent benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree