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HGS MathComp - Where Methods Meet Applications

The Heidelberg Graduate School of Mathematical and Computational Methods for the Sciences (HGS MathComp) at Heidelberg University is one of the leading graduate schools in Germany focusing on the complex topic of Scientific Computing. Located in a vibrant research environment, the school offers a structured interdisciplinary education for PhD students. The program supports students in pursuing innovative PhD projects with a strong application-oriented focus, ranging from mathematics, computer science, bio/life-sciences, physics, and chemical engineering sciences to cultural heritage. A strong focus is put on the mathematical and computational foundations: the theoretical underpinnings and computational abstraction and conception.

HGS MathComp Principal Investigators are leading experts in their fields, working on projects that combine mathematical and computational methodology with topical research issues. Individual mentoring for PhD candidates and career development programs ensure that graduates are fully equipped to take up top positions in industry and academia.

News & Current Opportunities

Guest Program

Call for proposals for the Romberg Visiting Professor and Romberg Visiting Scholar 2026

Deadline: June 15, 2025

15.05.2025
15:45 - 16:15
HGS MathComp Mixer
Networking

Location: Mathematikon • Common Room, 5th Floor • Im Neuenheimer Feld 205 • 69120 Heidelberg
Organizer: HGS MathComp
ECTS: 0
Join us for an informal get-together of the HGS MathComp community just before the IWR Colloquium. Bring your colleagues, have some cake and beverages, and find out what's currently going on in the other research groups.
 
15.05.2025
16:15
Theory & Methods
A “Super-Krylov” Approach to Diagonalization on a Quantum Computer?
IWR Colloquium

Speaker: Prof. Kirk Soodhalter • The University of Dublin, Ireland • 2024 Romberg Visiting Professor
Location: Mathematikon • Conference Room, Room 5/104, 5th Floor • Im Neuenheimer Feld 205 • 69120 Heidelberg
Registration: No registration required
Organizer: Interdisciplinary Center for Scientific Computing (IWR)
ECTS: 1 for 5
The IWR Colloquium serves as a platform for the interdisciplinary dialogue which characterizes the field of scientific computing. Every semester, members of the IWR and its affiliated institutions as well as renowned international experts are invited to present their latest scientific results and discuss the upcoming challenges in the field of scientific computing.

The IWR Colloquium will be held as an in-person event at the Mathematikon. In addition it will be streamed via Zoom. For more information please visit the website of the colloquium.

Quantum computing offers the promise of "exponential" increases in the speed of certain types of computations compared to classical computing machines.  However, such devices have limitations as to the type of operations that are admissible, and some operations carry with them levels of interference so great as to make the result unusable.  Thus, well-established (e.g., numerical linear algebraic) algorithms must be ported over and adapted to this setting, representing interesting, highly non-trivial new numerical analysis challenges.

In this talk, we discuss our first steps in exploring the adaption of Krylov subspace approaches to the quantum computing setting. The problem we consider is the estimation of the ground state eigenvalue of a Hamiltonian matrix (i.e., the left-most eigenvalue of a Hermitian matrix). This setting presents a number of challenges, including that we can only work with specifically prepared unitary matrices.  We overcome these challenges by constructing a specific "super Krylov" subspace using a unitary matrix and using a hybrid quantum-classical approach to take advantage of the strengths of both computational settings.  Theoretical analysis and practical numerical results demonstrate the utility of this approach.

Collaborators: Joint work with Adam Byrne (Trinity College Dublin/IBM Research) and Will Kirby, Sergiy Zhuk (IBM Research)
 
20.05.2025 - 21.05.2025
09:00 - 17:00
Key Competences
Make an Impact: Networking and Self-Marketing Skills for Scientists
Compact Courses

Speaker: Guido Molina (Impulsplus)
Location: Präsenz in Heidelberg
Registration: Please register on the event website
Organizer: Graduate Academy
ECTS: 1
This course is part of the course program of the Graduate Academy. Please note that this course will be held in English.

The latest information and a registration link are available on the course website (log in with Uni-ID).

HGS MathComp fellows can get a reimbursement of the course fees. Please submit your proof of payment and certificate of participation to hgs@iwr.uni-heidelberg.de.

Objectives:
How can I make an impact in professional contexts such as small-talk situations at conferences? What can help me in situations where I face an international crowd and how can I connect to an interdisciplinary audience? The workshop Make an Impact! offers the opportunity to enhance overall effective communication (verbal and non-verbal), as well as interpersonal settings, in order to improve networking and self-promotion opportunities.

Description:
Throughout the workshop, participants will be guided through interactive exercises to improve their communication, as well as focus on the quality of their language content and physical expression. The aim is to develop strategies to make a lasting and positive impact on groups, colleagues, and significant contact persons (networking). 
Trainer input will provide the opportunity to gain new insights in effective communication and learn how to present themselves more effectively and to make the best impression and strongest impact.

Contents:
• Self-marketing: effectively promoting oneself (verbal business cards)
• Spontaneous small talk: informal chatting with a purpose
• Developing awareness skills
• Concise and effective introductions: make an impact!
• Body language focus

Methods:
• Theoretical sessions to highlight key aspects and strategies
• Role-play scenarios
• Hands-on exercises for practicing
• Both group and individual feedback