Mathematics for engineers: Clausthal becomes the new research center!

Mathematics for engineers: Clausthal becomes the new research center!

On March 9, 2025, Prof. Dr. Philipp Öffner appointed university professor at the Clausthal University of Technology. The appointment was acknowledged by Prof. Andreas Potschka, who thanked Prof. Olaf Ippisch for his support. University President Dr.-Ing. Sylvia Schattauer emphasized the importance of the Institute of Mathematics and praised the youngest average age of the teachers, which should increase the attractiveness of mathematics for those interested in MINT studies. In this context, it is particularly important that mathematics becomes more accessible, especially for engineering-focused courses.

Prof. Dr. Öffner has a diploma in mathematics from the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg and received his doctorate from the TU Braunschweig in 2015. His habilitation followed in 2021 at the University of Zurich with a focus on numerical methods for hyperbolic conservation equations. His career includes positions as a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer at the TU Braunschweig, the University of Zurich and the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. In 2017 he received the Leo Award from the TU Braunschweig for an exercise in the modeling and numerics of differential equations. Since October 2023 he has been a lecturer in numerical mathematics at Clausthal University of Technology.

Research with a view to the future

Öffner's research focuses on the analysis and numerical analysis of ordinary and partial differential equations, particularly hyperbolic conservation and balance equations. In the coming years he plans to integrate the topics of multiphase flows and uncertainty quantification into his research activities. These approaches are crucial in many engineering disciplines, where uncertainty quantification improves model credibility and optimizes prediction accuracy.

A central element of uncertainty quantification (UQ) lies in the assessment, representation and control of uncertainties in mathematical models and physical systems. Fields of application for this include climate modeling and risk analysis in aerospace technology. The DFG MATH+ projects specialize in uncertainty quantification for partial differential equations (PDEs) and use quasi-Monte Carlo methods (QMC), which offer faster convergence rates than conventional methods. These methods play a crucial role in handling uncertainty quantifications by capturing parameters and model errors in simulated processes.

Interdisciplinary collaboration and workshops

Prof. Öffner and Prof. Potschka are already planning workshops with industry participation to bring more researchers to Clausthal and make the university more visible in the mathematics landscape. This could not only have a positive impact on teaching and research, but also promote interdisciplinary collaboration in the region.

In summary it can be said that with the appointment of Prof. Dr. Philipp Öffner, the Clausthal University of Technology is receiving strategically important reinforcement in the field of applied mathematics. His expertise in uncertainty quantification will not only enrich the educational offerings, but also make a decisive contribution to the further development of research at the university. The university is called Prof. Dr. Openers warmly welcome.