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.
20.05.2026
09:30 - 11:30
09:30 - 11:30
Key Competences
Networks and Societies: Professional networking for (young) scientists in STEM
Compact Courses
Speaker: Dr. Michael Winckler • IWR, Heidelberg University
Location: Mathematikon • Conference Room, Room 5/104, 5th Floor • Im Neuenheimer Feld 205, 69120 Heidelberg
Registration: Please register via this form
Organizer: HGS MathComp
Location: Mathematikon • Conference Room, Room 5/104, 5th Floor • Im Neuenheimer Feld 205, 69120 Heidelberg
Registration: Please register via this form
Organizer: HGS MathComp
ECTS: 0.5
Professional networking is an increasingly important aspect of academic life and career development. Beyond facilitating contact with peers and collaborators, networks support the identification of new research partners, the exchange of ideas, and access to professional opportunities within and beyond academia. In the context of a rapidly evolving digital and institutional landscape, the strategic development and maintenance of professional networks has become an essential academic skill.
This workshop introduces participants to two complementary forms of professional networking: business-oriented digital platforms (e.g., LinkedIn and Xing) and professional or disciplinary societies (e.g., DMV and SIAM). Participants will examine the specific functions and potential benefits of these networking structures, compare their respective strengths and limitations, and reflect on their relevance for different professional goals.
The workshop will address the following questions:
• What distinguishes business-oriented online networks from professional and disciplinary societies?
• How can these structures be used effectively for academic collaboration and professional visibility?
• What are practical first steps for building and maintaining a professional network as a scientist?
The workshop is designed for early-career researchers and scientists who wish to develop a more strategic approach to networking in support of research collaborations, project development, and future career planning.
The workshop will address the following questions:
• What distinguishes business-oriented online networks from professional and disciplinary societies?
• How can these structures be used effectively for academic collaboration and professional visibility?
• What are practical first steps for building and maintaining a professional network as a scientist?
The workshop is designed for early-career researchers and scientists who wish to develop a more strategic approach to networking in support of research collaborations, project development, and future career planning.
20.05.2026
13:00 - 14:00
13:00 - 14:00
Upstream Lunch Break
Networking
Speaker: TBA
Location: Mathematikon • Room 5/200, 5th Floor • Im Neuenheimer Feld 205, 69120 Heidelberg
Organizer: UPSTREAM – The Network for Women in Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science at Heidelberg University
Location: Mathematikon • Room 5/200, 5th Floor • Im Neuenheimer Feld 205, 69120 Heidelberg
Organizer: UPSTREAM – The Network for Women in Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science at Heidelberg University
ECTS: 0
The Upstream program is aimed at female mathematicians and scientists at all stages of their education, from pupils and students to doctoral candidates. Postdocs and professors will also find a lively network here, where the focus is on exchanging ideas about studying and careers in the STEM subjects.
The heart of Upstream is our monthly lunch break, which takes place every third Wednesday during the semester. We meet in the Common Room on the 5th floor of the Mathematikon and enjoy our lunch together. A delicious dessert is provided by us. We plan our future events, talk to guests from science or industry or simply chat about our studies.
The heart of Upstream is our monthly lunch break, which takes place every third Wednesday during the semester. We meet in the Common Room on the 5th floor of the Mathematikon and enjoy our lunch together. A delicious dessert is provided by us. We plan our future events, talk to guests from science or industry or simply chat about our studies.
21.05.2026
16:15
16:15
Theory & Methods
MACE Force Field Models for the Periodic Table
IWR Colloquium
Speaker: Prof. Gábor Csányi • Director Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P)
Location: Mathematikon • Conference Room, Room 5/104, 5th Floor • Im Neuenheimer Feld 205 • 69120 Heidelberg
Registration: No registration required
Organizer: IWR • ELLIS • SIMPLAIX
Location: Mathematikon • Conference Room, Room 5/104, 5th Floor • Im Neuenheimer Feld 205 • 69120 Heidelberg
Registration: No registration required
Organizer: IWR • ELLIS • SIMPLAIX
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.
This colloquium is jointly organized by ELLIS, SIMPLAIX & IWR.
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.
This colloquium is jointly organized by ELLIS, SIMPLAIX & IWR.
I will report on our latest efforts to create universally applicable machine learning force fields using the MACE architecture. Large publicly available databases (such as OMAT and OMOL) and large scale GPU compute allow the construction of force field models that cover most of the periodic table and are suitable out of the box for exploration tasks, and in some cases (e.g. organic molecules) for accurate production level simulations. Fine tuning material models with very little effort yields near-DFT accuracy. The latest models, such as MACE-POLAR-1 include electrostatic interactions with some notion of self-consistency.