Research Training Group 1845 - Stochastic analysis with applications in biology, finance and physics

Berlin/Potsdam

Call for Applications  - Postdoctoral scholarship

The RTG Stochastic analysis with applications in biology, finance and physics is offering scholarships for postdoctoral researchers starting October 2013 or later. Candidates should have received a Ph.D. with a focus in one of the main areas of stochastics or stochastic finance not more than 3 years ago. They should have a keen interest in pursuing independent research in the areas covered by the RTG and be willing to strongly interact with graduate students. The RTG is a certified unit of BMS, the Berlin wide graduate school of mathematics funded through the German excellence program.

Post-doctoral fellows will receive funding in the framework of a TV-L E13 position.

Applications should provide the usual documents:

• letter of application
• curriculum vitae
• copies of certificates
• copies of theses and relevant publications
• statement of purpose sketching the applicants research interests
• two letters of recommendation (to be sent directly to us)

The RTG particularly encourages the application of female candidates. Disabled persons will be given preferential treatment in cases of otherwise equal qualification.

Applications and inquiries should be addressed to:
Prof. Dr. Peter Imkeller, Coordinator, GRK 1845
Institut für Mathematik, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany

preferably via e-mail to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

DEADLINES: Applications are requested before May 31, 2013

Dr. Nicole Megow, head of the Emmy Noether Junior Research Group at the TU Berlin and member of the BMS postdoctoral faculty, has been awarded the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize.

Specializing in the field of combinatorial optimization and graph algorithms, Megow deals with optimization problems, which are motivated by issues of industrial practice. Since gaining her PhD at the TU, she has been working on optimization under uncertainty, thus at the interface between basic and applied research. The focus of her work is the development and analysis of efficient algorithms and methods that compute provably good or optimal solutions despite the uncertain data available.

As one of just nine Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize winners from various academic fields, Megow received 20,000 Euros in prize money. The chair of the selection committee, DFG Vice-President Professor Dorothea Wagner, emphasized the thematic breadth of the awards: "The prize shows a good balance and diversity of the German science system."

Established in honor of the German physicist, the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize was recently deemed one of the top three major scientific awards in Germany by the major research institutions. It is given not only in recognition of excellent research, but also as an incentive to continue in the pursuit of an academic career. The prize is funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research (Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung/BMBF) and is awarded by a selection committee appointed by the German Research Foundation (Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/DFG) and the BMBF.

Source: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German)

Call for Applications - PhD scholarships

Research Training Group 1845: Stochastic analysis with applications in biology, finance and physics

HU and TU Berlin/U Potsdam

The RTG Stochastic analysis with applications in biology, finance and physics is offering several scholarships for graduate students in Berlin starting at the earliest possible date in 2013. Candidates should have obtained (or be about to obtain) a Diploma or M.Sc. degree in mathematics or closely related fields with results significantly above average, and intend to pursue graduate studies in mathematics within the research areas of the RTG. The RTG offers, besides the opportunity to do supervised research, a rich graduate program consisting of graduate courses, seminars, guest lectures, and research stays abroad. Fellows are required to actively participate in this program. The RTG is a certified unit of the Berlin wide graduate school of mathematics, BMS, funded in the framework of the German excellence program.

Scholarships are tax-free and carry a monthly stipend of up to Euro 1468 plus family allowance. They are initially awarded for two years, subject to renewal to up to 3 years. All graduate students will be expected to work for a Ph.D. degree at one of the participating universities in Berlin and Potsdam.

Applications should provide the usual documents:

• letter of application
• curriculum vitae
• copies of certicates
• Diplom/masters' thesis and relevant publications if available
• statement of purpose sketching the applicants research interests
• two letters of recommendation (to be sent directly to us)

The RTG particularly encourages the application of female candidates. Disabled persons will be given preferential treatment in cases of otherwise equal qualication.

Applications and inquiries should be addressed to:

Prof. Dr. Peter Imkeller, Coordinator, GRK 1845
Institut fur Mathematik, Humboldt-Universit  at zu Berlin 
Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany

preferably via e-mail to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

DEADLINES: Applications must be submitted by May 19, 2013

2012 Evaluation Focuses on Mathematics and Science Subjects

The mathematics faculties of the three Berlin universities have reached top positions in the recently published “Diversity of Excellence 2012: Research - Practical Application - Internationality - Student Orientation" report, a special evaluation carried out by the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE). This evaluation was based on the results of the 2012 CHE University Ranking in the subjects of mathematics and science.

In two of the categories evaluated, the Freie Universität, Humboldt Universität & Technische Universität Berlin ranked among Germany’'s top universities. The HU joined the TU in the leading group for mathematics in the two categories of research and practical application. The FU also gained top marks for mathematics in the research category.

This special evaluation "Diversity of Excellence" was first published in 2011 and replaced the CHE Research Ranking, which was published until 2009. Simultaneously the areas of internationality, practical application and student orientation were incorporated for the first time. For this year's evaluation, the subjects of medicine and nursing science, natural science, as well as mathematics, computer science and sport were examined more closely.

Sources:
TU Berlin Press Office
http://www.pressestelle.tu-berlin.de/medieninformationen/2013/maerz_2013/medieninformation_nr_502013/ (German)

Vielfältige Exzellenz 2012: Forschung – Anwendungsbezug – Internationalität – Studierendenorientierung
http://www.che-ranking.de/downloads/CHE_AP164_Vielfaeltige_Exzellenz_2012.pdf (German)

Günter M. Ziegler, Professor of Mathematics at the FU Berlin and BMS board member, was recently awarded the “Hector Wissenschaftspreis 2013”. The Hector Stiftung II paid tribute to his outstanding services to research in the areas of discrete mathematics, geometry and topology. Ziegler’s "excellent teaching" and the presentation of his work in the scientific and public community were also decisive factors in their decision. In addition, the Hector Foundation also highlighted Ziegler’s capacity as a role model for young scientists and scholars, as well as for students. The award is accompanied by the appointment of Ziegler as a Hector Fellow and he joins the group of previous winners. The prize is worth 150,000 euros.

Ziegler is nationally and internationally recognized for the remarkable breadth of his mathematical knowledge. For example, in 2001 he was awarded the Leibniz Prize by the German Research Foundation and in 2010 he was honored with an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council. Ziegler is a member of the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences board and is a representative for the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina.

The mathematician has been elected for numerous committees, for example he was appointed Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Mathematical Research Institute of Oberwolfach and most recently, he was appointed to the first group of Fellows of the American Mathematical Society in November 2012. 

The Hector Stiftung II is an addition to the H. W. & J. Hector Stiftung, a foundation established by the mathematician and co-founder of SAP AG, Hans-Werner Hector and his wife Josephine Hector. The Board of Trustees annually appoint as Hector Fellows three professors from universities selected by the Excellence Initiative. The Hector Fellows select a temporary chairman and a deputy from their members and their aim is to network with other specialists.

Source: http://www.fu-berlin.de/presse/informationen/fup/2013/fup_13_017/index.html (German)