Zachary Porat

My 2026 Job Search

Posted on August 20, 2026

Today’s blog is about my experience on the job market as a recent PhD in pure math applying to primarily academic jobs in the US. This is in fact travel related, since I did have to travel places for my job interviews, but more on that later. I want to start by noting that I applied to what some consider a small number of jobs–I only applied to about 70 jobs. Some of my colleagues also on the academic job market applied to twice as many. That is to say, the job market is difficult. Here are a few takeaways I have / pieces of advice if you are interested in pursuing a PhD in pure math and continuing in academia.

The job search is dehumanizing. You must be prepared to put time and effort into applications with the expectation that you will never hear back from the institution. You might even get a first-round interview (for a tenure-track job) and then get ghosted! I recommend being selective of what job applications get extra care, as opposed to your more general statements. Always remember, you are an amazing human beyond the job search!

The job search is an incredibly long journey. Many people compare the job search to a marathon, but in a marathon, you are in control of your body and mind—in a job search, you are not (see point #1). You are at the whim of the schools (which are often slow and bureaucratic). I started preparing my statements in July 2025, and accepted a position in April 2026; this is typical. You will likely apply to a handful of jobs each week for several months, be prepared for it, but do not let it consume you. There are other things to accomplish (like writing a thesis…)

The job search is about connections (I know, how cliche). But, building a network of folks who know you is a valuable tool for a few reasons. First, before you even start applications, connections will lead to invitations to give talks at conferences and in seminars. Learning to give a good math talk is an incredibly important skill in and of itself—you will most likely be asked to give one during any in-person job interview—but these talks are also important for building your CV. Talks also open topics of conversations when you visit for interviews:

Second, if you are applying to research postdocs especially, knowing potential mentors (and them knowing you) is really important when you apply. Send an email letting them know that you have applied if you hope to work with them. Moreoever, no matter the type of job, if you know someone personally at the school, definitely reach out.

Okay, now a little bit more about my job search specifcally. I applied to 71 jobs in total, 68 in academia and three in industry. Of the 68 in academia,

• 20 were for tenure-track positions at primarily small, liberal arts colleges, with a few medium-sized (teaching-focused) state schools as well;
• 24 were for research postdocs;
• 24 were for visiting assistant professor jobs.

That mix of applications yielded no traction for research postdocs, but it led to two first-round interviews for tenure-track positions and five for visiting assistant professor roles. From those first-round interviews, I got two on-campus interviews. See the Sankey diagram below.

Once I recieved the invitations to give the on-campus interviews, I had very little time to prepare. For one of my on-campus interviews, I had only one week from my invitation to my interview, which required flying across the country. That is to say, have as many of your interview materials prepared ahead of time as possible. Certain things will have to be done once the invitation comes, like preparing your talk for the appropriate audience. This is where having given talks to varying levels of BLAH (see point #2) will be very helpful. Practice, practice, practice.

Then, once interview day comes, just smile and be yourself. Your materials got you there and they want you, now it’s time to show your stuff. Have lots of questions for them, and be ready to answer lots of questions yourself. Be positive, be excited, you get to talk about math! You got this!