Chair and Professor of Mathematics

Department:

College of Liberal Arts- Department of Mathematics

The successful candidate will hold, or have a record commensurate with, a tenured faculty appointment in the Department of Mathematics within the College of Liberal Arts and will serve as Chair of the Department.

The Chair leads a department of 37 faculty members, including tenured and tenure-track faculty, instructors, and lecturers; 28 graduate students; 2 administrative staff members; 2 student workers; and numerous tutors within the College of Liberal Arts. The Chair reports to the Dean and works with fellow chairs and College leadership.

Founded in 1848, the University of Mississippi (UM), affectionately known to alumni, students and friends as Ole Miss, is Mississippi’s flagship university. Included in the elite group of “R1: Very High Research Spending and Doctorate Production” institutions by the Carnegie Classification, it has a long history of producing leaders in public service, academics, and business. The University of Mississippi is consistently named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as a “Great College to Work For,” and with a student body of approximately 28,000 students, it is the state’s largest university and is ranked among the nation’s fastest-growing institutions. 

Oxford, MS, is a vibrant university town and a recognized literary and arts destination, about an hour south of Memphis, TN. Each year the community hosts the Oxford Film Festival, the Double Decker Arts Festival, and the Oxford Blues Festival, among other gatherings. Oxford is also known for its music scene, exceptional culinary offerings, historic landmarks, and the home of Nobel Prize-winning author William Faulkner. 

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status. 

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Job Summary:

The Department of Mathematics at the University of Mississippi seeks a collaborative, visionary, and experienced academic leader to serve as Chair. This is a tenured, full-time, 12-month administrative faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor (preference for Professor), reporting to the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. The Chair provides academic and administrative leadership for the department’s faculty, staff, and students; teaches one course per semester; and remains active as a scholar.

The Chair provides academic and administrative leadership for the department. Duties include hiring, mentoring, and evaluation of faculty; curriculum, budget, and fiscal management; and recruitment and retention of students. The Chair nurtures community partnerships, advances research and creative activity, and represents the department to the College, the University, and external audiences.

Job Description:

The Department of Mathematics at the University of Mississippi (UM) invites applications for the position of Chair, to begin July 1, 2027. The appointment carries tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, with a preference for the rank of Professor. The initial Chair appointment is renewable following quadrennial review. Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience and includes an administrative stipend. 

We seek a leader who can bring faculty, staff, and students together around a shared vision for the department's future. The next Chair will build trust and collegiality, lead through open communication and transparent decision-making, and support shared governance. They will be advocates for collaboration within the department and across departments, centers, and units on campus that is informed by University, College, and Departmental Strategic Plans. Candidates will be asked to articulate a compelling vision for the future and growth of the department, one that presents a clear vision of the future of research and graduate student mentorship in the mathematical sciences.  

The department offers the B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics. The department has 37 faculty members, 28 graduate students, and 2 administrative staff members. Candidates are welcome from any research discipline in Mathematics, or related fields.

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Job Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will have: 

• A track record and experience commensurate with appointment as Associate or Full Professor with tenure within the College of Liberal Arts (preference for Full Professor);
• Demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in teaching, research, and service and administration; 

• Demonstrated leadership skills, including outstanding personnel management and interpersonal skills, and ideally experience with fiscal management; 

• Knowledge of broad curricular and academic issues in the field, and an understanding of areas of growth and interest in mathematics that may attract students to the discipline; 

• A commitment to the professional development of faculty, staff, and students; and 

• A demonstrated commitment to the continued development of the Department of Mathematics, including a strong vision for collaboration within the department and across campus. 
• A current or prior tenure appointment from an accredited University;
• Broad curricular and academic experience in mathematics or a closely related field, with a clear understanding of what constitutes high-quality mathematical research. Alignment with current growth areas and trends that attract students. Commitment to shared governance in higher education. A clear vision of the future of research and graduate student mentorship in the mathematical sciences.
• Leadership, personnel management, and interpersonal skills. Clear communication. Ability to foster collaboration within the department and across campus.
• Able to articulate and execute a strong vision for the department; mentor faculty, staff and students; and lead a diverse group of colleagues. Able to articulate and promote the learning outcomes, benefits, and institutional value of mathematics to university administration and the wider campus community.
• Commitment to undergraduate and graduate training and to the professional development of faculty, staff, and students.
• Experience with fiscal management of a unit. A record of advancing a department, evidenced by program growth, enrollment, or external funding. Experience leading or working within a department of Mathematics.
• Collegial, fair-minded, and resilient. Approachable and a good listener. Can handle disagreement with composure. Committed to the department's development. Capable of facilitating generative discussions among faculty, staff, and campus stakeholders from other units.
• Anticipated start date July 1, 2027

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mathematics or a related field (Required)
• Track record and experience commensurate with tenured appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor (Full Professor preferred), including demonstrated leadership and administrative experience. 
• Demonstrated accomplishments in teaching, research, and service or administration.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with R1 research expectations.  Familiarity with the University Strategic Plan or similar plans at other institutions.

• Fiscal management of a unit. Fundraising and external development. Skill in grants and partnership building.

• Can manage research and administrative operations alongside academic ones. Wants to build a shared, collaborative culture.

• Interest in the Oxford community and identifying ways to build collaborations with partners both on and off campus

• Rank of Full Professor.

Application Procedures

Applications should be submitted online via the Faculty Career Site portal, accessible from careers.olemiss.edu by clicking through to External Applicants > Faculty Openings.

A complete application comprises (1) a letter of interest detailing the applicant’s leadership experience and accomplishments, anticipated vision for leading a Department of Mathematics, research program (including a history of external research funding), and teaching/mentoring philosophy and experience; (2) a curriculum vitae; and (3) the names, titles, and contact information of five professional references.

Review of applications will begin January 19, 2027, and all applications received by that date will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled. Questions should be sent to Michael Barnett, chair of the search committee, at [email protected].

Education Qualifications:

PhD (Required)

Experience:

Relevant experience

Interview Requirement:

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

EEO Statement:

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.