A look back at the CERMICS joint research unit launch event

Having become a Joint Research Unit (UMR 9032) under the joint supervision of the CNRS and the École nationale des ponts et chaussées as of January 1, 2026 (affiliated with the National Institute for Mathematical Sciences and their Interactions - Insmi), the Center for Training and Research in Mathematics and Scientific Computing (CERMICS) celebrated its official launch on Friday 6 November.

Introductory remarks by Gabriel Stoltz (Director of CERMICS), Christophe Besse (Director, Insmi), Anthony Briant (Director, École nationale des ponts et chaussées), Jamal Atif (Vice President for Research, Institut Polytechnique de Paris), Pietro Congedo (Scientific Deputy director, Inria Saclay) were followed by plenary lectures from several researchers: Claudia d’Ambrosio (CNRS, LIX), Thomas Deschatre (EDF), and Greg Pavliotis (Imperial College). The program continued in the afternoon with scientific presentations by several researchers from the laboratory’s three research clusters: Optimization, Applied Probability, and Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation. The closing remarks were delivered by Yves Bréchet, Chair of the School’s Scientific Council, who brought this inspiring day to a close.

"For the laboratory, this development represents a fundamental scientific challenge, within the context of striking a balance between basic research and collaborative partnerships. From this perspective, UMR status offers significant opportunities, particularly through the recruitment of CNRS research staff, which would help strengthen the expertise and diversity of scientific profiles within CERMICS. Conversely, the laboratory sees itself as a conducive environment for CNRS researchers due to its manageable size, the complementary nature of the mathematical approaches pursued there, and the original and rich scientific questions that naturally emerge from its strong ties to civil society and the socio-economic world," notes Gabriel Stoltz.

A Recognition of the Scientific Relationship Between Two Institutions

The recent hiring of Laura Grazioli as a research fellow in the CNRS Chemistry Section perfectly illustrates the collaboration between the two governing bodies. A true recognition of CERMICS’ interdisciplinary nature, this is the first research position assigned by the CNRS to CERMICS since its official designation as a UMR and contributes to the representation of women in mathematics. IT is also the first joint chemistry/maths position at the CNRS.

Laura Grazioli has been assigned to CERMICS following a postdoctoral fellowship in the Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation team, which focuses on mathematics applied to theoretical chemistry.