If you are a mathematician or something very interested in mathematics and you are living in or near Paris, France, then you may want to visit the Institut des Haustes Etudes Scientifiques. The English translation is the “Institute of Advanced Scientific Studies.” This is a place that deals with mathematical and theoretical physical research.
Currently, this institute is about forty years old.
The founders were Leon Motchane, Robert Oppenheimer, and Jean Dieudonne. The three of them would bring forth top researchers. So far, it seemed to be influenced by Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer is deemed as “Father of the Atomic Bomb.”
He is a known figure in twentieth century history let alone American History and World War II History. During the Red Scare, Oppenheimer got his security clearance revoked because of his outspoken political opinions.
After World War II, Oppenheimer was the chief adviser to the then newly created United States Atomic Energy Commission. He wanted to avert the nuclear arms race with the USSR. The nuclear arms race was one of the biggest aspects of the Cold War between the United States
and the Soviet Union. Overall, Oppenheimer is known for his work on the atom bomb or the “A-bomb.”
Dieudonne is one of the foremost French mathematicians.
In regards to the Institute
of Advanced Scientific Studies, it also runs a highly regarded and respected mathematical journal called Publicans Mathematiques de I’IHES. The research is all individual work.
Researchers pursue their own individual goals. Permanent professors only need to stay at the institute about half a year, which equals to six months. The number of permanent professors is quite small. There are also a small group of people that visit for the long-term.
If you get a permanent professorship, you are appointed for live. Each year, up to two-hundred people are invited to visit. This place is aimed towards bringing talented scientists together. It allows them an environment to completely focus on their research without having to deal with distracting duties. In a sense, this is a gathering ground for scientific minds across the world.
The mission is to be a point of excellent on an international scientific scale. The first aim is to encourage research on theories in mathematics and sciences. The second aim is that the work is to be carried out by the Institute’s faculty.
All of the professors currently on staff have researched research awards. There are many that work at the IHES that have received the Fields Medal. Life at the IHES is like living in a community. It has a park, science buildings, a library, a conference center, and so forth. Many schools and shops are nearby. Housing is in the form of house style dorms.
Applying to the IHES is not simple. Should you get an invite to visit, you could say for a few days to up to one year. In certain cases, visitors could even stay up to two years. Visitors are selected by the Scientific Council with help of long-term CNRS visitors.
Selections take place each year in May and December.
Applicants must list their publications, research project summary, and so forth. For younger researchers, they need two or three letters of recommendation. Should you be staying at the IHES, it is not all about science. There are plenty of things to do outside of the facility.
Plus, one could head up north to Paris. You can visit Paris
or take the English Channel into London, England.
