Periodic Reporting for period 2 - INTERACTIONS (NBIA INTERACTIONS POSTDOCTORAL PROGRAMME)
Reporting period: 2022-01-01 to 2024-12-31
INTERACTIONS is an EU-COFUND program of scientific excellence rooted in the tradition of internationalization and informal interactions that have characterized the Niels Bohr Institute since its inception one hundred years ago. By teaming up with five partner institutions in Europe we have ensured the possibility of extended visits to what we consider the closest scientific partner institutions in Europe. This opportunity for fellows is provided in order to ensure that highest-level expertise and scientific partnership is available at all time for the INTERACTIONS fellows. The overarching subject matter is fundamental research in physics and all related areas. The extension to all related areas is taken literally and it is also part of the interdisciplinary heritage of the Niels Bohr Institute. Several of our INTERACTIONS fellows work, for example, on issues very close to life sciences in what has been dubbed Active Matter. This describes the constantly on-going non-equilibrium processes of living organisms in terms of physical laws rather than genetic code. It illustrates how boundaries between different disciplines can form exciting interfaces where new ideas evolve in unexpected ways. Likewise, one INTERACTIONS fellows has worked on a membrane so tiny that quantum mechanical laws need to be taken into account, again with potential applications to physical membranes in living systems. As another example, INTERACTIONS fellows from theoretical particle physics today work on predictions of gravitational wave signals from the merging of two black holes, illustrating how the formalism of quantum field theory can lead to entirely new approaches towards solving Einstein's general theory of relativity. Ensuring the scientific environment that facilitates these creative ways of thinking through informal interactions with peers working in totally different research areas is one of the primary goals of the INTERACTIONS COFUND program. The conclusions of the action can be summarized as follows: We managed to gather together some of the most brilliant scientists in the physical scientists of their generation. They have worked with mentors at the Niels Bohr Institute taking them from front-line research in quantum optics, through computational astrophysics, observational astrophysics, theoretical particle physics, gravitational wave physics, astroparticle physics, condensed matter physics, to the physics of living systems. During this journey, the researchers have performed in outstanding ways, been invited speakers at international conferences, published numerous scientific papers in prestigious journals, and at the same time educated themselves to take on more senior roles in society. Many have continued in academia, others have obtained positions at high rank in finance, in industry, and one has launched a career as science writer for the public. For the EU (and for the Scandinavian area) this has been an impressive way to secure talent within its boundaries.
The INTERACTIONS program opened with the full spectrum of topics outlined in the original contract, enhanced by the strategically significant addition of “Quantum Information and Quantum Mathematics”. While this area could fall under “Condensed Matter Physics and Quantum Devices,” it was treated separately in recognition of the growing momentum in quantum computing - reflected, for instance, in substantial EU funding.
A major scientific outcome came from Hjalte Frellesvig, who developed a novel method for computing scattering amplitudes relevant to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the brilliant combination of recent developments in mathematics (the subject of intersection numbers). Integration techniques for the same type of scattering amplitudes pursued by fellow Matt von Hippel led to a new research direction dubbed “Elliptics,” due to the association with elliptic integrals in mathematics.These computational approaches are now central to international collaborations.
In biophysics, INTERACTIONS fellows helped shape the new research area called "Active Matter" which analyzes the physical origin of life processes that previously had only been described in terms of biochemical processes, without understanding of detailed forces and motion in living matter. Amin Doostmohammadi notably secured multiple major grants (including an ERC Starting Grant), received prizes, and was appointed Associate Professor (with tenure) at the Niels Bohr Institute.
In astrophysics, Bin Liu co-authored a high-profile Nature paper on eccentric black hole mergers in supermassive black hole disks, later earning a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship and a permanent academic position.
The program was ideally placed to support rapid developments in quantum computing, information theory, and condensed matter physics, with fellows active in both experimental and theoretical advances. Similarly, gravitational wave physics surged during the project, with fellows like José María Ezquiaga receiving prestigious junior leader grants and Gregorio Carullo accepting a faculty post at the University of Birmingham.
Results were widely disseminated: fellows published in top-tier journals, gave invited talks at leading conferences, and organized workshops and thematic schools. Outreach activities -public lectures, media engagement, and curriculum development - helped broaden the project’s societal and educational impact. Many fellows leveraged their work into long-term academic careers and leadership roles, contributing to durable knowledge transfer beyond the consortium.
A major scientific outcome came from Hjalte Frellesvig, who developed a novel method for computing scattering amplitudes relevant to the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, the brilliant combination of recent developments in mathematics (the subject of intersection numbers). Integration techniques for the same type of scattering amplitudes pursued by fellow Matt von Hippel led to a new research direction dubbed “Elliptics,” due to the association with elliptic integrals in mathematics.These computational approaches are now central to international collaborations.
In biophysics, INTERACTIONS fellows helped shape the new research area called "Active Matter" which analyzes the physical origin of life processes that previously had only been described in terms of biochemical processes, without understanding of detailed forces and motion in living matter. Amin Doostmohammadi notably secured multiple major grants (including an ERC Starting Grant), received prizes, and was appointed Associate Professor (with tenure) at the Niels Bohr Institute.
In astrophysics, Bin Liu co-authored a high-profile Nature paper on eccentric black hole mergers in supermassive black hole disks, later earning a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship and a permanent academic position.
The program was ideally placed to support rapid developments in quantum computing, information theory, and condensed matter physics, with fellows active in both experimental and theoretical advances. Similarly, gravitational wave physics surged during the project, with fellows like José María Ezquiaga receiving prestigious junior leader grants and Gregorio Carullo accepting a faculty post at the University of Birmingham.
Results were widely disseminated: fellows published in top-tier journals, gave invited talks at leading conferences, and organized workshops and thematic schools. Outreach activities -public lectures, media engagement, and curriculum development - helped broaden the project’s societal and educational impact. Many fellows leveraged their work into long-term academic careers and leadership roles, contributing to durable knowledge transfer beyond the consortium.
The objective of the program is research training at highest level. By providing a stimulating interdisciplinary environment that allows the INTERACTIONS fellows to unleash their full potential we drive new and innovative ideas and, at the same time, provide the fellows with an experience they can carry forward to new avenues after their fellowship period. Why is this important for society? Time and again history tells us that the biggest strides in society come from free and uninhibited thinking of daring and creative individuals. By training young scientists to think out of the box they may be the ones who come up with ideas that could not have been imagined if we were to be restricted by linear thinking. We hope that the researchers we train today will be tomorrow's leaders, be that in fundamental research or in applied contexts, through the entrepreneurship that will provide the solutions to tomorrow's societal challenges.
If viewed in a socio-economic context our INTERACTIONS fellows on the basis of this COFUND program will give back to society far more than they have received during their relatively brief fellowship periods. Academically, we have found our fellows to by the cream of the crop, a statement we can support by the observation that several fellows simultaneously (or shortly afterwards) received individual fellowships under the MSCA program and/or received faculty offers at leading universities in Europe. This group of people consists of the overachievers that will lead future generations in Europe.
If viewed in a socio-economic context our INTERACTIONS fellows on the basis of this COFUND program will give back to society far more than they have received during their relatively brief fellowship periods. Academically, we have found our fellows to by the cream of the crop, a statement we can support by the observation that several fellows simultaneously (or shortly afterwards) received individual fellowships under the MSCA program and/or received faculty offers at leading universities in Europe. This group of people consists of the overachievers that will lead future generations in Europe.