The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) Chennai is a national institute for research in the theoretical sciences supported by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and by the Government of Tamil Nadu.
The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), founded by Alladi Ramakrishnan in 1962, is an autonomous national institution for fundamental research in the areas of Theoretical Physics, Mathematics, Theoretical Computer Science and Computational Biology. The institute has a vibrant academic program, including an active Ph.D. programme to which a select group of students are admitted every year. IMSc also supports a large number of scientists at the post-doctoral level and hosts a visiting scientist programme. The institute organizes several national and international scientific meetings annually. IMSc is also involved in a range of outreach activities for schools, colleges and the general public.
Theoretical Physics
The Theoretical Physics group at IMSc is the largest group in the institute with the research interests of the faculty members spanning a wide range of energy scales - from string theory to complex systems.
Theoretical Computer Science
The primary research focus of the Theoretical Computer Science (TCS) group at IMSc is on the mathematical foundations of computation. These include algorithms, logic, automata theory, combinatorics, and computational complexity. The group currently comprises of nine faculty members, post-doctoral fellows, and doctoral research scholars. The activities of the group include running a highly challenging graduate programme for doctoral students, holding research seminars, and organising research-level workshops and conferences as well as instructional schools and workshops.
Mathematics
The Mathematics group at IMSc pursues research in diverse subdisciplines. In addition to traditional areas of pure Mathematics, some of the faculty have interests in applied and computational aspects as well. Activities in the group include regular graduate courses, research seminars, as well as periodical instructional workshops and conferences. There is a graduate programme for which applications are invited once a year. The group also hosts around 12 postdoctoral fellows at any given time.
Computational Biology
The Computational Biology group is the youngest at IMSc and consists of an enthusiastic group of faculty, post-docs and students who work on a variety of interdisciplinary topics. Various members of the group work on a diverse range of topics from biomolecules and active membranes to regulatory genomics and infectious disease modeling.
Doctoral Programme
IMSc provides an exceptional intellectual environment for fundamental research in the areas of Theoretical Physics, Mathematics, Theoretical Computer Science and Computational Biology. A special feature of research at IMSc is its interdisciplinary character. The Ph.D. applicants typically have a basic undergraduate or postgraduate degree in the Sciences, Mathematics or in Engineering discipline. Students with an undergraduate degree enter an integrated Ph.D. programme. The route to the IMSc Doctoral Programme is through an interview. Candidates are pre-screened through their performance in a national level qualifying examination. There are a range of national written tests that are accepted toward an application towards the IMSc Graduate program:
Application deadlines usually fall in mid-February. Candidates selected through these exams are invited to IMSc for interviews in May-July.
Post-Doctoral Programme
The institute offers Post-Doctoral Fellowships in all areas of Theoretical Physics, Mathematics, Theoretical Computer Science and Computational Biology, but particularly in those of interest to faculty members. Post-doctoral fellows at IMSc need not be affiliated to individual faculty members and can choose to work independently or collaboratively. Post-doctoral fellows are expected to maintain a high standard of research as well as to contribute to IMSc activities, such as by giving regular talks, organizing seminar series and participating in teaching and outreach. Post-doctoral fellowships are normally awarded for one year initially but can be extended by up to an additional year.
Applicants should have completed the requirements for a Ph.D. in their respective disciplines. Applications are accepted all year round. Post-doctoral selection committees meet at least twice or thrice a year, and decisions are made within a few weeks of the meeting.
Summer Research Programme
The IMSc offers Summer Research Programme for highly motivated bachelors and master's students interested in research in the areas of Theoretical Physics, Mathematics, Theoretical Computer Science and Computational Biology. This is a limited programme, depending on the availability of infrastructure and faculty advisors. In addition, IMSc also accepts students through the summer programme organized by the joint Indian Academies of Science (IAS). These visits typically span 6-8 weeks during the summer (May-July). There is also a provision for a 4-6 month visit, typically during January-April or August-November for extended project work. Students currently in their pre-final or final year of B.Sc./B.E./B.Tech. or first year M.Sc./M.E./M.Tech. or equivalent with a good academic record can apply through IMSc's formal application process.
Associateship Programme
The IMSc administers an Associateship Programme for college and university teachers in the areas its faculty work in. This programme encourages collaborations between IMSc members and teachers or scientists in the university system. IMSc offers both short term Associateships and Senior Associateships for teachers from colleges and universities to visit and work at IMSc. Under this program, an Associate can visit the institute once or twice in a year up to a total stay of 90 days per year. It is expected that each visit will be for a period of at least 3 weeks. The tenure of the Associateship will be for a period of three years.
Visiting Scientist Programme
The IMSc conducts Visiting Scientist Programme and scientists from all over the world visit the institute frequently to teach and collaborate with IMSc members. Over the years, the Institute has hosted several Nobel Laureates, Fields Medalists and other scientists of eminence, often for extended periods of time. Visitors often give seminars or lecture series as part of their visit. The institute is also part of the Theoretical Physics Seminar Circuit (TPSC) programme.
Graduate students who have already registered for their Ph.D. with any university may apply to become Graduate Visitors. Under the Visiting Student Programme, a Graduate Visitor can visit IMSc several times during the period of his/her studentship with the length and frequency of visits being decided on a case-by-case basis. During the visit, the student will be attached to a specific faculty member at IMSc and will take part in a research project worked out jointly with the student's adviser in the parent university.
The IMSc Media Center provides e-learning through video content in the disciplines of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. The Media Centre of IMSc was established during 2009 for the purpose of creating higher educational video content of broadcast quality in Mathematics & Physical Sciences. IMSc Media center has video content in mp4 video format and the complete list of the catalog is available on the Media Page. The Media Page of IMSc serves to the need of faculty for online bookings of video recordings and for public viewing.
Useful Link: YouTube channel - matsciencechannel
Source: The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), Chennai
Last Modified : 6/11/2021
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