Brochure Mathematical Careers

MATHEMATICAL CAREERS In Luxembourg and beyond

Dr. STÉPHANE KORVERS PATENT ENGINEER

“Do what you like. Usually, I like to explain the difference between fundamental and applied mathematics, between pure mathematics and engineering, ... I think it is very important to explain it to the students.

Mathematics lies in the spirit "understanding of the world", while engineering lies in the spirit "using mathematics to solve problems.”

Where?

Gevers Patents, Brussels-Liège

Since?

April, 2017

My relation with UL?

PostDoc (2015-2017)

My field?

Pure Mathematics

My job description?

I would say that it's a mix between a lawyer job and a scientist job. The goal is mainly to advise innovating companies and to be involved in all aspects of their innovation’s protection (strategy, protection, management, defense and valuation).

My mathematical skills?

Experience in research, good fundamental understanding of physics and mathematics, ability to translate theoretical knowledge into practical projects, defining and enforcing priorities in a result-oriented perspective, supervising scientific projects development and providing collaborative support, reporting and presenting concrete results popular audience, writing scientific documents, administrative reports, research projects and pedagogical material, building up an effective argumentation strategy, working on shortterm and long-term projects in a flexible environment, developing innovative analytical methods to tackle complex problems from different angles, resetting and solving illdefined problems, learning effectively material from unknown areas, understanding problems from several businesses and translating them into scientific models, ...

Required fields?

Law, Scientific Computing, Physics, Chemistry, Biology.

Why study mathematics?

Firstly, for the mathematics itself! It is a beautiful science and if we like it, why not studying it? More practically, mathematics is very important for acquiring rigorous, logical and analytical thinking, as well as understanding the beauty of the world.

What did you like at UL?

For me, the UniLu is a high-level research university with enough infrastructures and money for giving the opportunity to each researcher to reach its goals. That's a very strong point.

Dr. PANAGIOTIS TSAKNIAS QUANTITIVE ANALYST

“A degree in mathematics can be a very full-filling pursuit on its own but also provides what I think is the widest range of choices if one wishes to diversify to some other discipline for further studies and/or work.�

Where?

Daiwa Capital Markets Europe, London

Since?

January, 2017

My relation with UL?

PostDoc (2011-2016)

My field?

Pure Mathematics

My job description?

I am part of the team that checks the sanity and robustness of the mathematical models used by an investment bank.

My mathematical skills?

Problem solving, Analytic skills, Mathematical analysis & probability theory.

Required fields?

Statistics, Economics and Finance, Programming.

Why study mathematics?

Mathematical education gives a person a skill-set and an approach on problem solving that it is highly sought after by many industries. I can attest to this in the case of the finance industry.

What did you like at UL?

As part of a fairly newly established university people in the Mathematics department where eager to engage with the students and enhance their study experience with innovative programs like the Experimental Mathematics Lab with I really enjoyed being part of.

Dr. JASPER VAN HIRTUM TECHNICAL ANALYST

“Think about what you want after university. If the answer is 'I don't know yet', mathematics is a perfect fit.�

Where?

Mobilexpense, Brussels

Since?

December, 2017

My relation with UL?

Ph.D. Student (2013-2017)

My field?

Pure Mathematics

My job description?

If there is an issue with the web application of the company, I solve it or delegate to the specific team. Additionally, I develop new features in SQL for our clients.

My mathematical skills?

Problem solving, logic.

Required fields?

Computer Science, Economics and Finance, Management, Law.

Why study mathematics?

It gives you a broad range of skills and therefore of options later.

Dr. ROBERT FOLDES ANALYST

“Enjoy the applications of math and do not get discouraged by obstacles along the way, like difficult subjects or bad teachers.�

Where?

Aon; Minnepolis MN, USA

Since?

January, 2018

My relation with UL?

Bachelor Student (2008-2011)

My field?

Applied/Industrial Mathematics

My job description?

Pharmacy consulting for clients (mid-size companies and upwards) in the US. Previous position(s)? Junior Scientist/AFR-Fellow and Graduate assistant at the University of Minnesota (PhD studies), Project Manager and Fixed Income Analyst at Carlson Funds Enterprise.

My mathematical skills?

Communication skills, interpersonal skills, analytical skills, critical thinking, problem solving.

Required fields?

Statistics, Economics and Finance, Law, Pharmacy.

Why study mathematics?

Math gives a basis to science, engineering and many other fields.

Which mathematical advantage do you have?

A mathematical background allows for an easier transition to other fields. For instance, it is usually easier for a mathematician to learn financial concepts than for a business major to learn math.

What did you like at UL?

Small classes allowing for direct contact to professors and lecturers; solid mathematical background preparing me well for my PhD studies.

Dr. COYLE PEADAR SENIOR DATA SCIENTIST

“Data is ubiquitous these days, what's rare is modelling ability and critical thinking.�

Where?

Zopa

Since?

September, 2017

My relation with UL?

Master Student (2010-2014)

My field?

Pure Mathematics

My job description?

I build statistical models on computers to help optimize processes or predict the future.

My mathematical skills?

Analytic skills, problem solving, reading technical papers and implementation of algorithms.

Required fields?

Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Scientific Computing, Statistics.

Why study mathematics?

Logic and it would be impossible to learn all the statistical thinking without it.

What did you like at UL?

Great lectures.

SZABOLCS GAAL QUANTITATIVE RISK ANALYST

“The most expensive and demanded is the mathematician who has deep theoretical knowledge which is combined with hands-on practical skills and admiration for real life problem.�

Where?

EIB, Luxembourg

Since?

February, 2016

My relation with UL?

Master Student (2016-2017)

My field?

Applied Mathematics

My job description?

Programming (implementing) and assessing (validating) a certain kind of models (i.e. Markov/Ito diffusions) which is used to price banking products.

My mathematical skills?

Quickly understanding the abstract concepts as deeply as possible. Logical argumentation.

Outside-the-box thinking: programming "innovative" methods and finding logical (experimental as well as theoretical) arguments to assess the model's performance. Hard skills: knowledge of numerical techniques and the underlying math principles, having _ applicable_ knowledge in several fields of math (prop theory, PDE, geometry, numerical methods, etc).

Required fields?

Scientific Computing, Statistics, Economics and Finance, Physics, Object Oriented Design

Why study mathematics?

Just to name a few reasons. It is the basis of all results forming our civilization. It is awesome to see; how quite abstract techniques can provide you very useful tools to achieve something very concrete. Mathematics is the best way to strengthen abstract thinking in particular and cognitive skills in general. If you are really good at it you enjoy a competitive advantage over the rest of the world (both in your way of thinking and in your career chances). It enhances your creativity that you can use maths in several fields of life.

Which mathematical advantage do you have?

In general my skills to go quickly and deeply in the material have been enhanced.

Besides, I can change discipline quite quickly (so if I have to leave finance, it would be easier with the knowledge of maths without it). Maths brings me in the state to choose a better approach to problems: from the quite theoretical to the quite practical. I can approach practical problems from theoretical point - and this has resulted in new, efficient practical solutions many times in the past.

As a consequence, my skills are easier to convert to other industry branches (or to academia). All these are considered to be "scarce skills" in today's job market so I enjoy competitive advantage.

What did you like at UL?

I got the one of the most talented graduates I have ever met from there. Besides, I found the differential geometry lectures of Jean-Marc Schlenker quite elucidating.

LUCIEN MAY STATISTICIAN

“You will be much better positioned on the job market with a Mathematics degree than compared to economics/finance degrees!�

Where?

STATEC, Luxembourg

Since?

January, 2018

My relation with UL?

Bachelor and Master Student (2012-2017)

My field?

Financial Mathematics

My job description?

Currently, I have to clean national economic data, like unemployment figures, from seasonal effects using advanced statistical methods. This is needed for an unbiased judgement of the national economic situation by analysts and politicians. Moreover, I am also working on a project to make short term projections of GDP using econometric models. I also participate in the production of quarterly GDP figures.

My mathematical skills?

Quickly getting a bird-eye view of what you are really doing is important to my eyes. This is possible thanks to good analytical and logic skills. Moreover, endeavor is very important, because the subject of most jobs is inevitably new. Endeavour is a mathematical skill, as it is essential for problem solving.

Required fields?

Computer Science, Statistics, Economics and Finance.

Why study mathematics?

Personally, I really think that Mathematics and its ramifications is intellectually the most fascinating subject which exists. Since I studied also chemistry and biochemistry, and now know some economics and finance, I even more realize that Mathematics is THE subject to study. Moreover, as a good Mathematics graduate you are a rare pearl on the job market, making it much easier to find a good job compared to the mass production of, say, economics graduates.

Which mathematical advantage do you have?

Quicker understanding of software and tools. As a Mathematics graduate, one lacks the knowledge of the many economical and financial theories, but this is not what the industry seeks for. I repeatedly saw that Mathematics graduates were much more performing in learning new tools. For example, in my previous banking job, I had to use SQL on a daily basis, even though I did not know anything about it in the beginning. I quickly learned it, much quicker than other young economics graduates from top universities! I was not an exception in this regard, it was also the case of other Mathematics graduates.

What did you like at UL?

Contact with Professors was natural; small number of students.

Dr. JANNE-KATHRIN GÜNTHER ANALYST

“After having studied math, you will be able to easily learn many other tasks and solve problems which appear in your future job.”

Where?

ifb Services GmbH, Grünwald (Germany)

Since?

May, 2017

My relation with UL?

Ph.D. Student (2012-2016)

My field?

Pure Mathematics

My job description?

I maintain software in banks. My employer is specialized in SAP Bank Analyzer.

My mathematical skills?

Analytic skills, problem solving skills.

Required fields?

Computer Science, Economics and Finance.

Why study mathematics?

To promote logical thinking, to learn how to solve problems and to work hard for it. It gives you the advantage of logical thinking and endurance.

What did you like at UL?

I liked the atmosphere and especially the internationality and the different languages at the university.

LUCIJA CALIC BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ENGINEER

“Choose wisely as it is not as easy as in high school.�

Where?

Amazon, Luxembourg

Since?

June, 2017

My relation with UL?

Master Student (2014-2017)

My field?

Applied/Industrial Mathematics

My job description?

Business Intelligence Engineer with programming skills

My mathematical skills?

Analytic skills, problem solving skills.

Required fields?

Computer Science, Statistics.

Why study mathematics?

To get a certain way of thinking and easier understanding of new concepts (especially math related subjects)

What did you like at UL?

Job prospective, good support from professors.

RALF GREIS IT SOLUTION ARCHITECT

“Don't be afraid, mathematics can open you many doors later. Don't give up too early and enjoy it!�

Where?

POST, Luxembourg

Since?

October, 2017

My relation with UL?

Bachelor and Master Student (2012-2017)

My field?

Applied/Industrial Mathematics

My job description?

Establish and maintain a high-level architecture of the IT department to improve the global view of the system (in a non-IT descriptive way). Use this knowledge in projects to improve the discussions between IT and nonIT people.

My mathematical skills?

Analytic and logic skills, the mathematical way of thinking.

Required fields?

Computer Science, Statistics, Management.

Why study mathematics?

Mathematics give you a different way of logical and analytical thinking.

Even if you do not apply mathematics later in your job, this will help you to be different than the others. The mathematical approach of solving rigorously problems will help you!

What did you like at UL?

Most of the teachers were very competent and gave good courses. Their doors are always open to help you solving problems and improve your knowledge.

Dr. HENGNAN HU ASSET AND LIABILITY OFFICER

“Math is an interesting field to study, at the same time, it's also quite useful!�

Where?

Bank of China, Luxembourg

Since?

September, 2016

My relation with UL?

PostDoc (2015-2016)

My field?

Pure Mathematics

My job description?

As Bank is probably one of the most regulated sector, the compliance is a serious issue for the Bank. My main work is to make sure the Bank satisfies the regulator requirement on liquidity to make sure the Bank always has the capacity to honor payment due on time.

My mathematical skills?

Analytic skills, problem-oriented, logical reasoning are all relevant. In finance, the quantitative and modeling skills are always useful.

Required fields?

Economics and Finance, Management.

Why study mathematics?

Partly to train the analysis and logic skill, mainly to understand the steps to solve complex problems and probably the sensitiveness about numbers.

What did you like at UL?

There were lots of opportunities to explore almost all areas in research.

UNIVERSITY OF LUXEMBOURG Maison du Nombre 6, Avenue de la Fonte L-4365 Esch-sur-Alzette LUXEMBOURG

Contact Prof. Dr. Gabor Wiese Guendalina Palmirotta Luca Notarnicola Webpage www.math.uni.lu