Who we are

Why Rensselaer? Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world. 

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth. 

The Mathematical Sciences Department at Rensselaer currently has 15 tenure or tenure-track faculty members, 8 teaching faculty, 44 graduate students, and over 200 undergraduate majors, many pursuing dual degrees with other departments such as computer science and physics. Almost all current mid-career faculty have received NSF CAREER awards in addition to other distinctions such as Sloan Foundation and ONR Young Investigator fellowships. 

The department also provides a collaborative and supportive mentoring environment to foster the success of its faculty, with the Institute providing additional opportunities for professional development to assist faculty in meeting their teaching, research, and career aspirations.  

Are you ready to change the world? Apply now!

Job Summary

The Department of Mathematical Sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY seeks to hire a tenure-track Assistant Professor to begin in August 2026. Our department seeks candidates whose research develops and applies mathematical frameworks toward the understanding of challenging problems with societal or technological impact in areas such as the life sciences, quantum systems, and engineering. 

We are particularly seeking candidates who employ mathematically principled approaches for the design and analysis of novel simulation and computational methodologies, including those pertaining to data science, scientific machine learning, and optimization. 

Of special interest are candidates whose work could support RPI's initiatives in quantum research and education, or more broadly could align with the objectives of the Future of Computing Institute. 

This position is part of a faculty cluster hire funded by support from the Simons Foundation designed to stimulate research in the basic sciences across New York State. 

Minimum Qualifications

All candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree, or foreign degree equivalent in mathematics, applied mathematics, or a closely related field. Postdoctoral experience is strongly preferred. Candidates for the rank of Assistant Professor must exhibit promise of future distinction in research, scholarship, and teaching. Specifically, we are seeking candidates who have the demonstrated potential to establish a strong externally funded research program

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range: $108,000 - $118,000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts found on this page to create a brief online profile with contact information for 3 professional references. Please be ready to upload the following: 

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter
• Statement of research
• Evidence of effective teaching
• Statement of contributions to a welcoming and inclusive environment

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).