Research

Research activity commenced at AIMS in 2003, mostly through a limited number of short-term research fellowships sponsored by the Ford Foundation, the Victor Rothschild Memorial Fund and the National Research Foundation. However, research at AIMS started off in earnest after the AIMS Research Centre was launched during May 2008 (following the purchase and refurbishment of two historical double-storey houses opposite the AIMS main building in Melrose Road) and after a grant was secured from the Department of Science and Technology at the end of 2008.

The main features of the AIMS Research Centre are

• A strong focus on cutting-edge topics which are most relevant to African development, especially in fields where scientists in Africa have a competitive advantage and can do world-leading research
• Close involvement with local universities and other research institutions thus widening the pool of available expertise and serving to initiate long-term research programmes in the local academic community
• Collaboration with institutions all over Africa to ensure strong pan-African participation in all the Research Centre's programmes, stimulating the growth of pan-African research networks and partnerships
• Participation of top international researchers and institutions keen to work with African academics and students on cutting edge projects
• Close ties with industry by running programmes associated with particular industrial needs, assisting in capacity building and collaboration on innovative projects
• The careful selection of cost-effective, high impact, interdisciplinary research programmes in which a small fast-moving Centre can break new ground more effectively than is possible in larger, less flexible institutions

The research focus of the AIMS Research Centre is mathematical modelling in a multidisciplinary context, with a special focus on data analysis and computation. Although this focus encompasses all areas in the mathematical sciences for the initial phases three focus areas have been selected namely mathematics in biology, mathematical finance, and astrophysics and cosmology.

Research and Study Opportunities

The AIMS Research Centre provides opportunities for resident researchers, visiting research fellows, postdoctoral fellows, doctoral and masters students to work within the research foci of the Research Centre. Positions for resident researchers are advertised from time to time.

Journal club/seminars

AIMS has a regular seminar series (the AIMS Journal Club) where resident and visiting researchers present their or other work to a wider audience.

Short courses, summer schools and workshops

The AIMS Research Centre is ideally suited for hosting short courses, summer schools and workshops. Event organizers looking for a venue can contact us for more information.

Publications

A list of publications on research which has been conducted at AIMS by resident researchers, postdoctoral fellows and visiting researchers will be made available shortly.

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