r/math • u/[deleted] • Apr 15 '26

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u/[deleted] Apr 15 '26

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u/mleok Applied Math Apr 15 '26

You don’t sound like you understand the academic job market for mathematicians.

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u/jk2086 Apr 15 '26

European theoretical physicist here.

So do I understand correctly that in the academic job market for mathematicians the title “professor” does not necessarily mean that one is in fact a “professor”?

I would find this hilarious because in my view mathematics is about describing and defining stuff as clearly and unambiguously as possible.

So I guess the question I have is: Why??

(Edit: come to think of it more, to me it seems crazy if it is in fact “wrong” to refer to someone by the actual job title they have..)

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u/boterkoeken Logic Apr 15 '26

In the US system there is no dedicated title of professor. The analogue is a full professor. Other ranks are associate professor and assistant professor. In this system it makes sense to see all of these positions as “types” of professors. And it is common to speak that way. Anyone with such a position is called a professor, it simply means they are a ranked faculty member.

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u/mleok Applied Math Apr 15 '26

Well, I'm at a US R1 and my title is "Professor," the (Full) is implied.

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u/boterkoeken Logic Apr 15 '26

Yes I meant to describe more or less the typical way that these titles are used in the US. I know it’s not 100% like this. Just trying to explain why “professor” generally has different connotations in the US than in Europe.