Department of Mathematics Instructional Student Assistant (ISA) Pool

 

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. Opened in 1965 and set at the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino mountains, the university serves approximately 19,000 students. CSUSB is a federally recognized minority-serving and Hispanic-serving institution that reflects the dynamic diversity of the region and has the most diverse student population of any university in the Inland Empire: 74 percent of its students are members of underrepresented groups, 80 percent are first-generation, and 56 percent are Pell eligible. For more information on the campus, please visit the CSUSB website.

CSUSB employs 467 full-time faculty and offers 48 undergraduate, 35 graduate, and one doctoral degree programs and 14 academic programs with national accreditation. At CSUSB, diversity, equity and inclusion are values central to our mission. We recognize that diversity and inclusion in all its forms are necessary for our institutional success. By fully leveraging our diverse experiences, backgrounds and insights, we inspire innovation, challenge the status quo and create better outcomes for our students and community. As part of CSUSB’s commitment to hire, develop and retain a diverse faculty, we offer a variety of networking, mentoring and development programs for our junior faculty. We are committed to building and sustaining a CSUSB community that is supportive and inclusive of all individuals. Qualified applicants with experience in ethnically diverse settings and/or who demonstrate a commitment to serving diverse student populations are strongly encouraged to apply.

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Mathematics seeks qualified undergraduate students to serve as Research Assistants. Students will support faculty-led research projects in areas including algebra, combinatorics, and related fields. Assistants will gain hands-on experience in research methodology, computational exploration, and formal proof under the guidance of a faculty mentor. This position is ideal for students seeking to develop research skills and engage in scholarly activity.

Starting Summer 2026 (July), with a possibility of continuation through the fall and spring semesters as approved.

TYPICAL ACTIVITIES

- Support faculty with research-related tasks including data gathering, literature review, and computational experiments.
- Assist in the preparation of research notes, reports, and presentations.
- Conduct exploratory work using computer algebra software and proof assistants such as Lean.
- Attend meetings with the faculty mentor to discuss research progress and goals.
- Maintain regular communication with the supervising faculty member.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

- Must be a currently enrolled student in an undergraduate program at CSUSB.
- Enrollment as an undergraduate Mathematics major in good standing (or closely related major).
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Strong foundation in mathematics, particularly in algebra or combinatorics.
- Ability to read and understand mathematical texts.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Reliable, self-motivated, and able to work independently or with minimal supervision.
- Must be eligible to work on campus and successfully complete hiring paperwork.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Experience with computer algebra software (e.g., SageMath, Macaulay2).
- Familiarity with formal proof assistants (e.g., Lean, Coq).
- Prior research, independent study, or advanced coursework experience, preferred but not required.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with CSUSB. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: CSUSB cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that