math phd job market

Employment and the U.S. Mathematics Doctorate

Report of the ams task force on employment, executive summary, introduction, current employment situation, future demand for phd's, long-term initiatives, recommendations for short-term actions.

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Patrick Adams

Research Group:  Finance Previous Degrees:  B.A. Economics and Mathematics/Statistics, University of Connecticut  Research Interests: Asset Pricing, International Finance, Macroeconomics Advisors:  Adrien Verdelhan, Jonathan Parker, Lawrence Schmidt, and Leonid Kogan

Mohammed Alsobay

Research Group: Information Technology Previous Degrees:  S.B. Chemical Engineering, MIT; M.Sc. Applied Math and Computational Science, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Research Interests:  Human-AI Interaction, Digital Experimentation Mohammed's Website

Research Group:  Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management Previous Degrees:   B.Econ., University of Pisa; B.A. Economics, Sant'Anna University Advisors:  Scott Stern, Pierre Azoulay, Fiona Murray Luca's Website

Research Group:  Accounting Previous Degrees:  B.A. Business Administration and Economics, Seoul National University; M.S. Business Administration, Seoul National University​ Research Interests: The Role of Information in Technology (Cybersecurity, AI) and Investing Advisors:  Eric So, Rodrigo Verdi, Nemit Shroff, Andrew Sutherland David's Website

Cameron Martel

Research Group:  Marketing Previous Degree:  B.S. Cognitive Science, Yale University Research Interests:  Misinformation and Political Behavior Online Advisor:  David Rand Cameron's Website

Fiona Paine

Research Group:  Finance Previous Degrees:   S.B. Electrical Engineering, MIT; S.B. Mathematical Economics, MIT  

Research Group:  Economic Sociology Previous Degrees:  B.S.E Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University; MBA, University of California, Berkeley; S.M. Management Research, MIT Research Interests:  Regulation, Small Business (SMEs), Competitive Strategy, Leadership, and Nonmarket Strategy          Advisor: Susan Silbey                                                                    Eppa's Website 

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65 PhD jobs in Mathematics

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• PhD positions in Applied Mathematics (33)
• PhD positions in Computational Mathematics (26)
• PhD positions in Statistics (23)
• PhD positions in Probability Theory (16)
• PhD positions in Stochastics (12)
• PhD positions in Analysis (10)
• PhD positions in Algebra (8)
• PhD positions in Number Theory (6)
• PhD positions in Geometry and Topology (6)
• PhD positions in Logic (4)

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Search results (65)

Doctoral candidates in Statistics and Probability

The University | About us...The MATHCODA Doctoral Training Unit is a doctoral program covering a coherent set of themes around the ideation and study of novel mathematical tools for dealing with hi...

PhD position in Human-Centric Optimization for Supply Chain Excellence

Position PhD-studentIrène Curie Fellowship NoDepartment(s) Industrial Engineering and Innovation SciencesFTE 1,0Date off 08/09/2024Reference number V39.7650Job descriptionThe labor shortage in the Netherlands has become a critical issue, affecting...

PhD and Post-doc positions in the field of Optimization and Deep Learning Theory (Prof. A. Lucchi)

The Optimization of Machine Learning Systems Group (Prof. A. Lucchi) at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Basel is looking for several PhD students and post-do...

PhD on Generative AI (KG-enhanced LLMs)

Are you eager to work on a combination of Large Language Models (LLMs) with Knowledge Graphs (KGs) to create trustworthy conversational AI? Do you want to have an impact on the world’s supplier to the semiconductor industry (ASML)?Position PhD-stu...

PhD Positions in Cancer Research

Are you looking for excellent research opportunities for your PhD studies at the forefront of cancer research? The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg invites international students holding a Master’s degree in (molecular) biology, ...

Doctoral Researcher (PREIN I-DEEP Doctoral education pilot), 2 positions

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and s...

PhD Candidate in Trustworthy Analysis of Stochastic Timed Systems

Job descriptionApplications will be evaluated on a monthly basis. The vacancy may be closed early once the positions are filled. We offer two Ph.D. positions within the TruSTy project on “Trustwort...

PhD-positions in Finance

The Department of Finance at the University of Luxembourg invites students to apply for PhD-student positions in Finance.Your Role... The program follows the standard international format with rigorous coursework in the first year and for the rema...

PhD on Stochastic modelling and reliability assessment

Disruptive innovations are needed in managing and operating distribution grids. Are you our next PhD researchers in exploring disruptive innovations in managing and operating distribution grids?Position PhD-studentIrène Curie Fellowship NoDepartme...

Time-scale aware analysis and control of hybrid networked systems

Project Many industrial and societal challenges are related to dynamical systems and processes characterized by a strongly increasing level of interconnectedness and complexity. This is particularl...

PhD on learning and analysis of coupled dynamical systems with constraints

Position PhD-studentIrène Curie Fellowship NoDepartment(s) Mechanical EngineeringFTE 1,0Date off 06/10/2024Reference number V35.7707Job descriptionSimulation-based design is a powerful tool assisting the development and maintenance of many enginee...

PhD thesis in Statistical Physics of Active Matter

(Valid from 16/01/2024 to 31/12/2024)   Language: English (UK) Country: Luxembourg   Organisation data: Department of Physics and Materials Science (DPHYMS) Job Number: UOL06198 Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Duration 36 Month Schedule Type: F...

PhD candidates - Spontaneous Applications for Next Generation Radar Sensing Networks

(Valid from 22/01/2024 to 31/12/2024)   Language: English (UK) Country: Luxembourg   Organisation data: Interdisciplinary Centre of Security, Reliability and Trust Job Number: UOL05451 Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Duration 36 Month Schedule ...

PhD position on cloud and radiation modelling (f/m/x) Wiss2408-03 | Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology | Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences PhD position on cloud and radiation modelling (f/m/x) Institute of Geophysics and Meteorology We are one of the largest and oldest universities in Europe...

PhD position in Quantum Information Theory

The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around t...

PhD fellowship in the emergence of social network structures (interdisciplinary) at SODAS

We invite applicants for a PhD fellowship in the emergence of social network structures.Starting dateThe starting date for the position is February 1, 2025, but an earlier or later starting date is also possible.Content of the positionSocial netwo...

PhD Candidate in Algorithmic Fairness in Social Network Analysis

The Faculty of Science and the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS) is looking for a:PhD Candidate in Algorithmic Fairness in Social Network Analysis (1.0 FTE)About this positionAre you a passionate and committed young researcher ...

Framework Development for Quantum Computing Design Space Exploration

Enter the fascinating world of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and help shape the future through research and innovation! We offer an exciting and inspiring working environment driven by the expertise a...

PhD in 3 years: Doctoral Researchers with the Doctoral Education Pilot for Mathematics of Sensing, Imaging and Modelling (DREAM)

The University of Oulu is a multidisciplinary, international research university, with about 3,600 employees who produce new knowledge based on high-standards research and provide research based ed...

Modeling dendrite growth in Li-ion battery materials

This is a joint PhD position at KU Leuven (Belgium) and Silesian University of Technology (Poland). As a PhD student on this project, you will first work for 2 years at KU Leuven (multi-physics mic...

PhD students, ERC Advanced Grant Project FLEX (m/v/x)

Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) has vacancies in the Machine Learning research group for two enthusiastic talentedPhD students  (m/v/x)within Peter Grünwald’s ERC Advanced Grant Project FLEX (FLEXible Statistical Inference).Job descriptionMos...

PhD in Learning in living adaptive networks

Prof. Karen Alim’s Group on Biological Physics and Morphogenesis at the TUM Campus Garching uses theoretical and experimental methods to investigate information in biological systems.Web: https://www.bpm.ph.tum.de/research/ We are looking for a Ph...

PhD on Cybercriminal Frontiers of Social Engineering

Position PhD-studentIrène Curie Fellowship NoDepartment(s) Mathematics and Computer ScienceFTE 1,0Date off 15/09/2024Reference number V32.7583Job descriptionCyber-attacks targeting human users are on the rise both in sophistication and scale. Soci...

PhD position on hardware security and FPGA design

Job descriptionPublic-key cryptography is vulnerable to mathematical attacks by quantum computers. Governments are encouraging organizations to adopt new post-quantum cryptography algorithms to sec...

PhD Position in Machine Learning and Computer Vision

Positions: We have an opening for a PhD position in the areas of machine learning and computer vision. The position is supported financially by a SNSF project, whose aim is to build con- trollable world models with deep learning methods. World mod...

Applied Quantum Computing Solutions for Maritime Use Cases

Phd candidate, feature-based machine learning for precision diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases.

Vacancy number 15093Job type PhD positionsHours (in fte) 1,0External/ internal ExternalLocation LeidenPlaced on 20 August 2024Closing date 15 September 2024 26 more days to applyThe Faculty of Science and the Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer ...

Doctoral Researcher (Signal Processing and Machine Learning (DSII))

Doctoral student in Fluid and Climate Theory

Project descriptionThird-cycle subject: Fluid and Climate TheoryThis Ph.D. position is integral to the HumanIC European training network. The initiative aims to cultivate early-stage engineers and ...

PhD positions in Data and Computer Science in Munich

The Munich School for Data Science (MUDS) is a joint initiative of Helmholtz Zentrum München (HMGU), Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) with the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München...

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Quantum Information Portal and Wiki

Postdoctoral fellow in mathematics, job type: , tags: , application deadline: , employer web page: .

The Higher School of Economics is a young, dynamic and fast-growing Russian research university. Over the past thirty years, HSE University has become a leader in Russian education and has been recognized internationally.

HSE University was the first state-run university in Russia to begin recruiting on the international academic market. We proceed from the understanding that the university, which responsibly approaches the training of new professionals, should select as teachers people who have real experience, as well as basic and applied knowledge. Committed to high-quality research, HSE University now has more than 100 research institutes and centres, and more than 50 international research laboratories led by eminent professors from all over the world.

The Faculty of Mathematics in Moscow, Russia, invites applications for postdoctoral research positions in Mathematics and related fields.

About the Faculty of Mathematics

HSE University is the only Russian university to rank among the top 75 universities worldwide in the Shanghai Global Ranking of Academic Subjects in Mathematics and QS ranking.

The Faculty of Mathematics was opened in 2008. Since then, it has become a leading place in Russia for attracting researchers in Mathematics and mathematical students. The Faculty has Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. programs in Mathematics and Mathematical Physics.

Among our faculty members are distinguished researchers, including 17 invited ICM speakers; we have the best concentration in Russia of highly motivated students majoring in mathematics.

Requirements

The general requirements for the postdoctoral fellowship positions are the following:

Candidates must hold a recent PhD in the field of mathematics or related areas (Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science) which was awarded over the last 5 years or received before starting work at HSE in a relevant field by an internationally recognized university and has been assessed by external reviewers as having the potential to pursue research that is publishable in leading peer-reviewed journals; Candidates should have a strong background and an established research record in Mathematics or Mathematical Physics; Fluent English is an obligatory condition as research and other activities are conducted in English. Knowledge of Russian is not required; Relevant experience will be an asset although not required.

The position involves:

pursuing independent research in Mathematics or Mathematical Physics in parallel with working on joint projects with faculty members and researchers of HSE writing research papers for international peer-reviewed journals participation in organization of the events and other contribution to the development of Mathematics Faculty public presentations of candidate’s own research to the researchers in the field and the broader academic community some teaching is encouraged, though not required.

Appointments are made for one year. Postdoctoral fellows have high opportunity of renewal of the contract (no more than two times) in case of outstanding performance.

HSE University offers postdoctoral fellows a competitive salary, the standard medical insurance plan; a working space equipped with a computer and free Internet access at the University.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted online. Please provide a CV, a statement of research interest and a recent research paper submitted via the online application form. At least two letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the International Faculty Recruitment Office at [email protected] before the application deadline. Please note that direct applications to the hiring faculty may not be reviewed.

Read more about the application process here: https://iri.hse.ru/postdoc_info

The deadline for the applications is February 14, 2023

Apply now: https://iri.hse.ru/ru/PDMATH2324

For more information: - about the Postdoctoral Fellowship -Frequently Asked Questions - https://iri.hse.ru/faq_pd; - about HSE university –official web-site - https://www.hse.ru/en/; - about the Faculty of mathematics - https://math.hse.ru/en/; - about international specialists' life in Moscow -International Faculty Support. - https://ifaculty.hse.ru/ .

If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact the International Faculty Recruitment Office at [email protected]

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Math PhD Glut? Math degrees and the job market

Hello fellow mathematicians? I know that immediately after the 2008 recession, graduate degrees of all stripes began to question whether the damage was permanent. Now that it's 2016, has there been new optimism? I know getting a professorship is still near impossible, and actuaries are in a glut, too. But what other industries require math PhD's/masters? What skills from the math department are most valuable to the job market?

What jobs are out there for a mathematician?

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How to prepare for the job market during a (pure math) PhD

First of all, I apologise if a similar question has been asked before, I did some research but couldn't find a satisfying answer.

I'm a second-year pure math PhD-student (in EU, if that matters) in a field with relatively few real-world applications (low-dimensional topology). I am already determined that I won't pursue an academic career after the PhD, so I will have to transition into the job market at some point. However, this frightens me because my field has no real-world applications, and I think that it might be a good idea to start expanding my knowledge to a different field (say, computer science or economy). This brings up the following question: How do you do this during a PhD?

To be more precise, let's say I am interested in financial markets and would like to steer towards a job in quantitative finance. What is the best way to prepare for this during my PhD studies? The following options come to my mind:

• Reading books and self-study. However, do employers value knowledge purely gained from self-studying (without any degree behind it)?
• Participating in relevant courses at my university. However, does that make sense if I'm not a registered student and therefore won't get grades?
• Participating in online courses (such as Coursera, for example). However, do employers value the participation in such courses?
• Not doing anything, focus on my PhD and start looking for internships afterwards (to get knowledge).

I am aware that in almost any case mentioned above, I will still lack any sort of actual work experience (which is probably going to be the biggest problem in finding a job). However, I believe that I still might be in a better position if I already have some theoretical knowledge about a job's broader field rather than no knowledge. Of course, if there are any other options that I didn't mention above please let me know.

I would highly appreciate any advice, guidance or personal experience on this topic. Thanks!

• mathematics

• Could you say why you are interested in financial markets? Have you read book or even done anything so far in this direction? –  user111388 Commented May 7, 2020 at 14:44
• The interest in financial markets comes from my high-school education which was economy-focused and because I recently had my nose in books about financial mathematics and financial markets theory. I also figured that this might be a good place to both apply and benefit from my mathematical education. However, I am not fully determined yet in what direction I would like to go, another option would be computer science in which I'm genuinely interested and have a minor in. –  user331406 Commented May 7, 2020 at 15:41
• @user331406 Different employers value different things. Some hedge funds would rather hire you with zero knowledge of finance, because at least you have no bad habits. Others would only hire you after you have done your time in an investment bank and have been properly indoctrinated. Your research in topology is almost certainly useless in finance and it merely signals that you likely have an IQ high enough to be worth investing resources in. The signal is there already — regardless of whether you finish the PhD. If you lost that loving feeling, dropping out can be wise. Learn how to program. –  Rodrigo de Azevedo Commented May 7, 2020 at 17:02
• Try reading some of the AMS's advice, at least some of which should be applicable in Europe: ams.org/profession/career-info/career-index –  Kimball Commented May 7, 2020 at 20:10
• Also, here's a closely related question on this site: academia.stackexchange.com/q/128318/19607 –  Kimball Commented May 7, 2020 at 20:11

Here are a few things that might benefit both your PhD and your preparation for the job search:

• Communicate with your advisor. Setting goals and making plans with your advisor will help align how you measure the success of your graduate experience. You can also report to your advisor about your progress towards these goals; accountability goes a long way. Finally, your advisor can help you prepare for and find a job in industry, but only if they know that's what you want to do!
• Code and compute. If you don't know how to code, take some courses and learn how. If you do know how to code, keep improving your abilities. Computing is a valuable skill for research, since examples will help you make sense of new ideas and constructions. In industry, computing will be invaluable . As a mathematician, employers will want to hire you for your analytical skills. These skills will be much more useful to them if you are comfortable gathering, producing, analyzing, and communicating data that they care about.
• Connect. If you have the opportunity, do an internship in industry. You may find things that you like or dislike about working outside academia, and you may gain new insights into your academic work. You should also try networking. For better or worse, who you know makes a big difference in finding jobs. Your advisor might have some contacts in industry, or your university might have an employment center that can help you with this.

As an aside, even low-dimensional topology might not be as far removed from applications as you might think. Differential geometry and algebraic topology both have applications to data analytics and machine learning. Depending on your exact specialty, topological data analysis could be an opportunity for you to apply ideas from your PhD to finance or whatever industry you decide to join.

• Thank you very much for your answer! You mentioned some very good points. I did quite a lot of programming in different languages during my bachelor's CS minor, and it might be a good idea to freshen things up. –  user331406 Commented May 7, 2020 at 21:27

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What Can You Do With a Math Major? 10 Great Jobs to Explore

It’s not rocket science for me to guess that if you’re a math major—or potential math major—you likely love numbers and problem-solving. But what can you do with that passion once you get your degree? As someone who advises college students on career paths and job searches, I can share that the answer is: a lot!

“The types of skills that math majors develop really allow them to do nearly anything that they want to,” says Libby Doucet, a career advisor at MIT who supports math students (and a coworker of mine!). But while having numerous options is exciting, all these choices can also be a big cause of stress, confusion, and anxiety. If you’re like many other students, you may be overwhelmed by the possibilities or unsure what some of these jobs even are and what you’d be interested in.

We’ve compiled 10 jobs that are a great match if you have a math degree—but first let’s take a look at the skills that make math majors shine.

Top Skills Math Majors Bring to Any Job

Math majors develop many essential skills that are sought after by employers and—extra perk!—they’re  transferable across jobs and industries. Here are six top skills you’ll likely gain by completing a math degree:

• Analytical and quantitative skills: Perhaps unsurprisingly,  analytical and quantitative skills are key strengths of math majors. Math classes present you with many situations and problems that require an analytical eye—whether you need to determine the best equation, identify a pattern, or solve for a missing data point. And to come to accurate solutions, you need strong quantitative skills. Employers value analytical and quantitative skills, Doucet says. “Having that type of mindset when you're working on problems is particularly important” in many jobs—especially those where you'll need to make decisions based on large amounts of information.
• Critical thinking: While quantitative skills tend to be more rooted in facts and numbers, math majors also develop the ability to think critically by evaluating all types of evidence—or lack thereof—and drawing informed conclusions. Math majors constantly take in information, evaluate it, and make decisions. The ability to consider multiple variables or outcomes and to develop a comprehensive, clear, and logical position to share with others is invaluable in almost every job.
• Problem-solving skills: A  top skill employers seek is  problem-solving —as any organization or employee will encounter challenges during their work. Someone with the ability not only to point out a problem, but also to assess an issue, think of solutions, and propose the best approach is an employer’s dream come true. Math majors are inquisitive and have experience considering complex problems in different ways and thinking outside the box to develop creative solutions, Doucet says, which are incredibly useful skills across roles and industries.
• Attention to detail: In math, one flawed calculation can set off a reaction that invalidates the rest of your work and leads to the wrong answer. So math majors quickly learn how to pay attention to tiny details and take an organized approach to their work. Math majors are also skilled in identifying where an error may have occurred. I’ve heard employers mention frequently that they’re looking for detail-oriented employees because they’re reliable, produce excellent work, and avoid errors—and math majors often fit the bill.
• Communication skills: Math majors develop strong communication skills to defend the logic behind their proposals and solutions. They often need to break down larger problems into smaller ones, explain complex issues or thinking patterns, or offer clear reasoning behind their decision-making processes and outcomes, giving them practice in a range of communication skills they can apply to areas beyond math.
• Computer skills: Depending on your specific coursework, you may gain experience using statistical modeling, databases, programming, or algorithms to solve complex problems. Employers of all kinds—from online travel companies to trading firms—are looking for candidates with these skills, and they greatly expand the types of jobs you can land.

These skills position math majors as strong candidates for many jobs, and below are just a few options. (We’ve included salary info from PayScale, which updates its database  nightly , so click on the average salary links to see up-to-date numbers!)

1. Data Analyst

Average salary : $61,650

Data analysts wrangle vast sets of quantitative or qualitative information to extract useful insights and are in demand across all industries. Depending on their exact position and employer, they may or may not conduct data collection, but they frequently manage, interpret, and draw valuable conclusions and recommendations from data sets. For example, an entertainment company may want to know how consumers engage with a particular franchise across their business sectors. Are fans of the movie more likely to go to the theme park with related attractions or to purchase a comic book?

Critical thinking, curiosity, and the ability to communicate compelling stories from identified patterns are also desirable skills for this role, as are statistical skills, which you’ll likely gain in your coursework. Because of the large amount of information data analysts work with, it’s helpful to have experience with programming languages or software that can help parse or present the data, such as Structured Query Language (SQL), Tableau, or even Microsoft Excel. And if you’ve done some programming or data visualization, you can more easily land some entry-level roles.

Find data analyst jobs on The Muse

2. Equity Trader

Average salary : $82,234

Equity traders buy and sell public or private company stocks and other equities—or advise investment team members who do so. They monitor market trends, develop trading strategies, and determine whether or not a company, bond, or fund might be a worthwhile investment. They also try to control risk, reduce transaction costs, and increase profits. Like data analysts, they’re dealing with a high volume of data.

Math majors can leverage their strong analytical and critical thinking skills in this role. It’s important to enjoy research, understand financial markets, and be able to conduct financial analyses with strong attention to detail. Knowledge of programming languages such as Python, R, or SQL lends itself well to the data analysis conducted in this work. And equity traders often collaborate closely with others, such as financial advisors or portfolio managers, which requires clear communication in a fast-paced environment. In some job descriptions, you may see passing certain exams, such as the  Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Series 7 Exam , listed as a qualification. Luckily, some employers offer to sponsor qualified entry-level candidates to take these exams, so be on the lookout for that in job postings.

If you’re intrigued by this role, stock broker, quantitative analyst, investment banker, or other  jobs in finance may also be of interest!

Find equity trader jobs on The Muse

3. Accountant

Average salary : $51,893

Accountants keep track of finances. Common tasks may include reviewing contracts or invoices, reconciling accounts, processing payments or payroll, conducting financial reviews, developing reports, and preparing tax filings and other required documents. They may also provide analysis and strategy recommendations to improve financial processes. Accountants have many work environments to choose from. They can work in-house for companies of all kinds, at a firm that does accounting for other businesses, or even have their own practices serving individuals or small businesses.

Accountants need to be extremely detail-oriented. If you love working with numbers, maintaining accurate records, or hunting for the root cause of something that doesn’t look quite right, this could be an excellent role. For entry-level jobs, adding relevant accounting or financial classes to your coursework can help you break into this field. Obtaining a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license—or starting on the path—will also help. The CPA exam is issued by the  American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) , but each state has its own requirements to sit for the exam and receive licensure so be sure to check your state’s regulations. Some employers will pay and support you as you pursue your CPA, so getting a job at one of these companies can be a good first move.

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4. Mathematics Teacher

Average salary : $51,026

Mathematics teachers educate others on a variety of math subjects like algebra, calculus, trigonometry, statistics, and geometry. They create engaging lesson plans and curricula, build relationships with students, develop teaching approaches for different learning styles, conduct assessments, and provide feedback and grades on assignments.

Teaching can be rewarding for math majors because you get to share your fundamental knowledge and excitement about math. You’ll have the opportunity to connect with students and share your analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills with them. Strong communication is also essential as you explain concepts, adapt to different grade levels and individual student learning styles, and interact with parents.

With a bachelor’s degree in math, you’re most likely to teach classes from middle through high school levels at public, private, charter, or specialty schools. Requirements for teaching differ by state, and you may need to obtain a state-issued certification or license. Your college may also offer the opportunity to gain the necessary credentials through a pre-professional program or as a major or minor that you add to your math degree. If you aspire to teach at a college level, you’ll need to invest additional time in earning an advanced degree. With a master’s degree and teaching experience, you can qualify for some teaching jobs at certain types of schools, like community colleges. A PhD will open up opportunities to teach at all types of educational institutions at the undergraduate or graduate level.

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5. Financial Analyst

Average salary : $61,883

Financial analysts evaluate historical and current financial expenditures as well as forecast and project the future financial performance of a company. They develop recommendations to improve strategies and financial outcomes and help shape short- or long-term budgeting or investments. A financial analyst might, for example, gather data sets that allow them to look for trends, review and create company financial reports, and/or conduct industry or stock market research. They may also draft reports that compare their company with others in the industry and develop budget models and projections.

This is a role that’ll allow you the room to do research, keep up to date on business news, and apply the analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills you gained in your coursework to conduct financial modeling and influence business decisions to accelerate company growth. You’d also employ communication skills when presenting this information clearly—and often visually—to colleagues and executives.

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Average salary: $96,823

Actuaries conduct analyses to determine costs and evaluate the risk and uncertainty inherent in different scenarios. Many actuaries work for insurance companies—whether they focus on life, health, home, or auto insurance. For example, what’s the likelihood that a natural disaster might damage or destroy a home and what appropriate rate should be set for coverage? Actuaries help answer these questions using probability and other prediction methods. Their goal is to decrease risk, increase the financial stability of the company they work for, and—hopefully—lower overall insurance rates for customers.

In this role, you can expect to work with large amounts of data to identify and predict trends, which means data analysis and modeling are essential tools of the trade. If you love being immersed in data and conducting statistical analysis, this could be an excellent fit.

Actuaries need additional certifications beyond their degrees—and many decide the extra work is worth the high salary you can net! Depending on the industry you’re going into, you’ll need to take a series of exams through the  Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS) or the Society of Actuaries (SOA) . Actuaries can start their careers as trainees and land a role after passing a few of the exams. As with other positions, many employers will support new actuaries as they work toward certification.

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7. Management Consultant

Average salary : $88,343

Management consultants typically work at large consulting firms that other companies hire to provide advice and offer solutions to critical business problems. They often work in teams and are assigned client projects where they identify, evaluate, and recommend solutions to improve the organization’s performance. They gather information, conduct interviews, perform research and analysis, develop reports, and present insights and recommendations clearly and concisely to clients.

For math majors who love diverse problem-solving, management consulting is attractive because you’ll work on a variety of problems with different organizations and even within different industries. One client project might have you evaluating ideal locations for new fast-casual restaurant franchises, while another client project might focus on which budget cuts could prevent a law firm from filing for bankruptcy. Each project will provide complex challenges where critical thinking skills are crucial. And you’ll use your qualitative and analytical skills whenever you’re digging into a company, department, or team's financials or other data. Communication is also a key skill as you’ll need to collaborate with stakeholders and team members and present your recommendations to company leadership. Management consulting firms look to hire analytically minded individuals who demonstrate leadership and the ability to drive impact. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, meeting new people, solving problems, and traveling a lot, this is a role to consider!

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8. Loan Underwriter

Average salary : $66,928

A loan underwriter reviews documentation for loans, such as home mortgages, and makes recommendations or decisions on whether to approve or deny the applications. They ensure documentation meets lending guidelines, review and verify the application and financial data, conduct risk assessment, and decide if there is a high probability the client will pay back the company or financial institution they work for. If an underwriter gives their approval, they also determine the amount to loan, identify what—if any—conditions need to be applied, and ensure that laws and regulations are followed.

Many skills you obtain from a math degree come in handy for this role including analytical skills, critical thinking, and attention to detail. Although additional certifications may not be required for underwriters, some job listings will indicate that particular credentials, such as a  Mortgage Loan Origination (MLO) license , are preferred.

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9. Software Engineer

Average salary : $87,349

A  software engineer writes code using computer languages to create new programs, applications, tools, and websites, or to update existing software. Daily tasks involve reviewing, writing, and debugging code as well as collaborating with others, such as designers, data scientists, and product managers.

As a math major, your college coursework, research, or internships will likely expose you to software engineering skills that are in demand. Math majors often pick up MATLAB, Python, and R to implement algorithms, statistical and data analysis, and more. These transferable skills can help position you to move into  software engineering roles even without a computer science or engineering degree. If you’ve dabbled a bit in these skills, but know you need a tad more experience to make the full transition, then  bootcamps can increase your skills to help you  land an entry-level software engineering job .

Find  software engineer and  software developer jobs on The Muse

10. Market Research Analyst

Average Salary : $54,735

Market research analysts dive deep into data and extract insights to help companies better position their products or services for their current and target consumers. They may collect data through surveys to identify trends and patterns that help with a marketing department’s decision-making. Their goal may be identifying what product, service, or new features the market wants, who would buy it, and what price they’d be willing to pay. They may do exploratory research to consider repositioning their brand when dealing with an oversaturated market or to learn something that might increase customer interest. For example, could adding a purple M&M increase sales?

Although you might not hear “market research analyst” and immediately think of it as a “math” job, this is a role where you’ll leverage what you’ve learned in class to create forecast models, manage complex datasets, and conduct statistical analysis. Through market research, you’ll use quantitative and critical thinking skills to assess opportunity and present information and solutions clearly.

Find market research analyst jobs on The Muse

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The Hot Labor Market Has Melted Away. Just Ask New College Grads.

Unemployment is still low, but job seekers are competing for fewer openings, and hiring is sluggish. That’s a big turnaround from recent years.

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By Talmon Joseph Smith

For much of the last three years, employers were fighting one another for workers. Now the tables have turned a bit. Few employers are firing. Layoff rates remain near record lows. But fewer employers are hiring.

That has left job seekers, employed or unemployed, competing for limited openings. And younger, less experienced applicants — even those with freshly obtained college degrees — have been feeling left out.

A spring survey of employers by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that hiring projections for this year’s college graduating class were below last year’s. And it showed that finance, insurance and real estate organizations were planning a 14.5 percent decrease in hiring this year, a sharp U-turn from its 16.7 percent increase last year.

Separately, the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the overall pace of hiring in professional and business services — a go-to for many young graduates — is down to levels not seen since 2009.

For recent graduates, ages 22 to 27, rates of unemployment and underemployment (defined as the share of graduates working in jobs that typically do not require a college degree) have risen slightly since 2023 , according to government data.

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