Assistant Professor of Mathematics - Discrete Mathematics/Graph Theory

San José State University • San Jose, CA

3d • $104,500 - $107,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at San José State University is pleased to announce a search for one tenure-track faculty position in Discrete Mathematics/Graph Theory at the rank of Assistant Professor beginning in August 2027. We seek applicants with demonstrated evidence of excellence in teaching, outstanding research potential and potential for securing grants related to discrete mathematics/graph theory, and a commitment to department service. Applicants are required to have a doctoral degree in mathematics or a closely related field by the time of appointment.

Our department has 28 Tenure/Tenure Track faculty, with research interests across Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Mathematics Education, Statistics, and Data Science. Our department research culture has developed and grown significantly in recent years, with a strong majority of faculty hired in the last ten years being not just research active, but also receiving significant amounts of external funding, not just from NSF, but also from industry (e.g., Ethereum Foundation, Applied Materials) and governmental agencies (e.g., Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center, Office of the Governor of California). Departmental pedagogy has advanced significantly in recent years, with many faculty members embracing student-centered approaches like team-based and activity-based learning. Initiatives from younger department members have also greatly enhanced departmental community among both students and faculty. The department and the College of Science are also supportive of assigned time (relief from teaching) and sabbatical leaves. Assigned time is regularly awarded to recognize work including faculty research, faculty support of student research, and course coordination, and at least 8 sabbaticals and 3 parental leaves have been taken in the department since 2023.

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics and San José State University value institutional excellence and are committed to advancing equity through research, teaching, and service. We enroll more than 40,000 students, many of whom are historically underserved; approximately 45% of our undergraduate students are first-generation college students and 38% are Pell Grant recipients. In addition, we are both a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI). SJSU aspires to create holistic learning environments that facilitate both individual and collective transformation. We seek teacher-scholars who cultivate inclusive, empowering spaces for mutual learning, skill-building, and knowledge exchange for all students. Our commitment to lifelong learning supports meaningful connections among faculty, staff, students, alumni, and the broader communities we serve.

We invite all applicants to include a Statement of Institutional Excellence (or incorporate it into your cover letter) to share how your lived and professional experiences will contribute to the SJSU community—particularly in relation to student success. A guide to writing this statement can be found at SJSU Institutional Excellence Statement Guidelines.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in mathematics or a closely related field
• Either a clear and well-defined research agenda or a beginning record of high-impact research, scholarly publications, or external research funding in analysis
• Evidence of teaching excellence as demonstrated by, for example, successful engagement with high-impact teaching practices like active learning, or documented positive impacts for student success, as shown by teaching awards or other significant recognition
• Applicants must demonstrate an awareness of and sensitivity to the educational goals of a socially and economically diverse student population as might have been gained in cross-cultural study, training, teaching, and other comparable experience

Nice To Haves

• Success in publishing and disseminating research in discrete mathematics/graph theory
• Experience with, or demonstrated potential for, teaching undergraduate and graduate classes in discrete mathematics/graph theory
• Experience with, or commitment to, student-centered pedagogy and active learning
• Experience in mentoring undergraduate and graduate student research in mathematics
• Use of formal verification tools (e.g. Lean, Roq) in mathematics research

Responsibilities

• The candidate is expected to teach a variety of classes, including service and lower division courses, as well as upper division courses and graduate courses, particularly in discrete mathematics or graph theory.
• The candidate is expected to conduct research and secure grants to support research in discrete mathematics/graph theory.
• The candidate is expected to supervise SJSU students in research projects and Master’s theses in mathematics.
• The candidate will participate in shared governance, usually in department, college, and university committees and other service assignments.
• Faculty shall organize all their classes within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).
• The candidate must demonstrate awareness and experience in understanding the needs of a student population of great diversity – in age, abilities, cultural background, ethnicity, religion, economic background, primary language, sexual orientation, gender identity, and academic preparation – through inclusive course materials, teaching strategies, and advisement.

Benefits

• Commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank as established by the CSU Salary Schedule
• Anticipated hiring academic year annual salary range: $104,500-$107,000.
• Faculty employee benefits are very competitive for the higher education sector.
• CSU’s excellent benefits package.
• Startup allowance: $30,000
• Assigned time is regularly awarded to recognize work including faculty research, faculty support of student research, and course coordination
• at least 8 sabbaticals and 3 parental leaves have been taken in the department since 2023.

What This Job Offers

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