Emeritus Group
Geometry and Complex Systems
The emeritus group of Jürgen Jost is an interdisciplinary research team that on one hand carries out research in pure mathematics and on the other hand explores new approaches to complex systems in a wide range of domains, bringing in the spectrum of mathematical concepts and methods in novel ways.
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Research
Scientific Goals
- Translate the action functionals, the concepts and the computational tools of High Energy Theoretical Physics into mathematical structures. This is both fertile and challenging because of the inherent symmetries and invariances.
- Clarify the fundamental biological concepts and develop the conceptual and mathematical tools for systems biology. How can we integrate detailed studies of individual pathways, coarse-grained network analysis, and modern mathematical data analysis techniques?
- Develop an economic theory that does not depend on the notion of a fully rational representative agent and that does not reduce itself to equilibrium analysis, but that rather focuses on the dynamics of expectations of boundedly rational and heterogeneous individuals. How is information generated and processed in human societies?
- Humans with their limited abilities are often more clever and innovative than theory allows them to be. In particular, they often find creative and unexpected, but efficient shortcuts for solving complicated problems. How to formalize that and translate it into powerful structural heuristics in data analysis and machine learning?
- What is the right relation between theory and data driven approaches? Can we transform mathematics from a tool of science, investigating particular structures emerging from other fields, into a science of tools, proposing which structures to look for and how to do that?
- What are the neuronal dynamics and the rules of thinking, and how are these embodied in the brain, that make the formation of complex concepts like coherent objects with interdependent features possible?
- What is common to the complex systems of biology, cognition and society, and what is specific to each of them? What are the appropriate concepts?
- Formalize and operationalize the concepts and notions of the humanities and social sciences and connect them with the tools of data analysis and machine learning. To what extent can a global, data driven approach (distant reading) complement the traditional study of particular details (close reading)?
News
Obituary
10.09.26
In Memory of Hông Vân Lê In Memory of Hông Vân Lê
We were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former colleague and scientist Hông Vân Lê, who passed away on September 2 at the age of 65. We will remember her as an outstanding mathematician and a warm, kind, and deeply valued member of our scientific community.
Events
05.09.26
Art & Science Open Air Festival Art & Science Open Air Festival
Science meets creativity. Join us for the Max Planck Science Festival on September 5 at Heiter bis Wolkig, where art, science, and music come together. Enjoy inspiring talks, science comics, hands-on activities, and a diverse line-up of music acts – all in a relaxed festival atmosphere.
Events
23.07.26
ICM 2026 – MPI MiS at the World's Leading Mathematics Congress ICM 2026 – MPI MiS at the World's Leading Mathematics Congress
The International Congress of Mathematicians (ICM) 2026 opens today in Philadelphia – bringing together the world's leading mathematicians for one of the most prestigious events in the field. We are proud to be part of this global gathering with contributions to the scientific program, an international film premiere, and an exhibition booth.
PhD Life
29.06.26
Your Voice in the PhD Community Your Voice in the PhD Community
Following the recent election, Angelo El Saliby, Leon Sebastian Duensing, and Sanjay Puneet Verma will serve as the new PhD representatives of our institute. We congratulate them and wish them every success in their new role.
Accolades
18.06.26
Giulio Zucal Honored with Otto Hahn Medal Giulio Zucal Honored with Otto Hahn Medal
Heartfelt congratulations to Giulio Zucal. He has been awarded the Otto Hahn Medal by the Max Planck Society in recognition of his fundamental and innovative contributions to the study of graphs and hypergraphs during his doctoral research.
Announcements
15.05.26
New Book on Spectral Theory of Discrete Structures New Book on Spectral Theory of Discrete Structures
A new book project by Jürgen Jost and former group members Raffaella Mulas and Dong Zhang explores the spectra of graphs, simplicial complexes, and hypergraphs—bridging mathematical theory and interdisciplinary applications.