William R. Davis ’68 Distinguished Chair of Mathematics

LOCATION:

United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

APPLICATION TIMELINE:

This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on September 15, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

ABOUT THE U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY:

The United States Naval Academy is a unique institution of higher learning located in Annapolis, Maryland. As a service academy and premier undergraduate college, the United States Naval Academy  has its own distinctive niche amongst American higher education institutions. Our talented faculty and staff are united by a common purpose--to develop the next generation of officers to be exceptional  leaders in our naval service. 

Every year more than one million people tour "the Yard" to experience what our employees already know  — the United States Naval Academy is a special place, with a special purpose. Employees will find  challenging and rewarding work; state-of-the-art facilities which inspire academic and athletic excellence; the benefits of Federal employment; and exceptional quality-of-life.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Mathematics Department is proud to invite applications for the William R. Davis ‘68 Distinguished Chair in Mathematics with the hope of having the position filled as early as December 2026.  Established in 2020, the Davis Chair will continue to be an important part of our program for years to come.  

The normal term for an appointment is approximately two years, possibly extended to a third year if mutually desired, although candidates interested in a one-year appointment will also be considered.  Candidates for this position could be career academics (possibly on sabbatical) with strong research programs, up-and-coming postdocs who are rising stars in their disciplines, researchers at government labs or agencies, technical leaders in industry, or other exceptional individuals. 

The Distinguished Chair is expected to be an active participant in the department. This involvement might include mentoring midshipmen and faculty, or developing our research and teaching capabilities, particularly in the recipient’s field of specialization. The Distinguished Chair will normally teach one course per semester, with the possibility of co-teaching advanced classes in their field with USNA faculty members. While any area of expertise will be considered, the department is particularly interested in candidates with substantial experience in Data Science or Statistics.

Candidates for the Distinguished Chair should use their job application to articulate their vision for the position, within the bounds set by the description above.  Initial selection and renewal of the Distinguished Chair will be based on their anticipated lasting impact on our faculty and programs.

The Mathematics Department is the largest department at the Academy, including approximately 40 civilians with PhDs and 20 military officers with advanced degrees. The department offers majors in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, and Mathematics with Economics. Additional information about the department and the United States Naval Academy is available at www.usna.edu/MathDept/index.php.

Duties and responsibilities: 

• Teach undergraduate courses in mathematics, applied mathematics, operations research, statistics, data science, or machine learning.
• Conduct high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarly research.
• Serve as a mentor to students for capstone and independent research projects.
• Serve as a mentor to faculty involved in similar research and teaching.

This is an on-site, 10-month salaried, federal excepted service position. This position is fully funded through philanthropic funding sources received by the Naval Academy. In the unanticipated scenario wherein, such funds were not available, you would be placed in a Leave-Without-Pay (LWOP) status. As an employee under a 10-month compensation model, you will be required to take 343 hours of Leave-Without-Pay (LWOP) throughout the year, typically within the May to July timeframe. Initially, this position will have an approximate 2-year appointment with the anticipation of a 1-year renewal based on the availability of gift funds and performance in the position. Salary range will be commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Salary Details:  

• Pay Band: AD-09 - Classification 13
• Approximate Starting Salary Range: $150,000  – $170,000 annually
  • Based on 10-month compensation model
• Final Salary: Will be determined based on:
  • Experience and qualifications of the selected candidate
  • Availability of funds from a gift/reimbursable fund (i.e., the position is supported by a designated or restricted funding source)

MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Minimum Qualifications: (at the time of application)

• A PhD in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Statistics, or a related field,

OR

• A Masters degree in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Operations Research, Statistics, or a related field, together with significant (5+ years) industrial experience.

Preferred Qualifications (We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience or demonstrated interest in some or all of the following areas):

• Substantial experience with Data Science or Statistics.
• Recognized excellence or remarkable potential in their discipline.
• Experience leading or mentoring professionals in their field.
• Track record of enhancing organizational capabilities.
• Enthusiasm for working with undergraduates. 
• Alignment with USNA institutional mission.

FINAL SELECTION FOR POSITION WILL BE BASED ON THE FOLLOWING ASSESSMENTS: 

• On campus interviews
• Executive-level interview
• Presentation of the candidate’s research and scholarship program 
• Reference Checks

HOW TO APPLY FOR POSITION:

Interested candidates should send an application package to the hiring manager and Davis Chair Search Committee, at davis-chair-2026-group@usna.edu.  

Application Packages need to contain:

• Cover Letter
  • Please clearly indicate your status as a U.S. citizen in the cover letter, as this is required for the position. In addition, please articulate your vision for the position, describing the contributions you will make to the department’s faculty and/or programs. 
• 2-page Resume (we can only accept resumes up to two pages in length)
  • This document must be sufficient on its own to assess whether the applicant meets all “Required Minimum Qualifications.”
• Supplemental materials
  • Full Curriculum Vitae 
  • Teaching statement (2-page limit) 
  • Any additional information candidate would like to submit
• Contact information for three professional references Application Packages need to contain:

Candidates should also submit a response to the narrative questions found here. Please note you will need to include the announcement number listed at the bottom of this announcement.

Please note: This position does not have a specific application deadline. Review of applications will begin on September 15, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.  Additionally, the ability to fill this position is contingent upon the availability of funding.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• U.S. Citizenship Required
• Two-year trial period will typically be required. 
• All Civilian Positions at USNA are subject to a background investigation. These investigations are conducted to ensure that individuals hired are trustworthy, of good conduct, and reliable. The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication. The selectee's failure to meet this requirement will be grounds for termination. More information about the background investigation process can be found at the Academic Dean and Provost’s website here https://www.usna.edu/Academics/Faculty-Information/Background-Investigation-Info.php. 
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

The U.S. Naval Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer