Mats Boij will receive funding for a postdoctoral position for international researchers at his group at the Department of mathematics, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm.
The group at KTH studies a broad spectrum of problems in algebraic geometry, which is the desired specialization of the candidate for the post-doctoral position. Some of those problems intersect other fields of mathematics as well. Algebraic geometry has been successfully applied to cryptography, game theory in economics, and string theory in theoretical physics. There have been some industrial applications in computers and airplane construction as well as in robotics.
Algebraic geometry is the study of solutions of polynomial equations. It originated a long time ago in ancient Greece. During medieval times, Arab and Persian mathematicians were interested in such problems. Rene Descartes’ introduction of the coordinate system in the 17th century was a significant turning point. It allowed linking algebraic equations with geometric objects defined by such equations. Some gradual progress in the understanding of such geometric constructions followed, but only in the 20th century research on algebraic geometry picked up pace. The development of abstract mathematical concepts contributed to solving many old problems.
Computers have been used to perform extensive calculations over the last 50 years. However, even today’s powerful computers have limitations to their speed, and some calculations for solving seemingly simple problems may take longer than a lifetime.
Photo KTH Royal Institute of Technology