The Institute of Computer Science has a new junior professorship in its ranks from the summer semester 2021. Jr.-Prof. Dr. Sebastian Peitz, who has been managing director of the Institute for Industrial Mathematics here at the University of Paderborn since 2013, has now accepted the junior professorship in Data Science for Engineering.
For Jr.-Prof. Dr. Sebastian Peitz, the switch to computer science is already the third discipline in his scientific career. Previously, he completed his master's degree in mechanical engineering, later going on to do a doctorate in mathematics. "I originally studied mechanical engineering because I was very interested in renewable energies - especially wind energy. However, I realised during my studies that I was particularly interested in scientific principles," says Mr Peitz about his career.
Now he researches in the field of data science with a focus on optimisation and efficiency strategies for engineering applications. He describes himself as an application-oriented mathematician who can also benefit from an intuitive understanding of problems thanks to his experience in mechanical engineering. In recent years, he has been increasingly involved in the development of data-based methods, which are also becoming more and more important in technical systems. What fascinates him most about the change to computer science is that he will be able to focus even more on data science. "What I like most about my job is the great variety. Paderborn offers good opportunities for interdisciplinary projects and research, and most of my colleagues here are always open to new, joint projects." That was also an important reason why Jr.-Prof. Dr. Sebastian Peitz wanted to stay here at the University of Paderborn.
In the coming semester, the focus of his work at the beginning will be primarily on teaching. For Bachelor students, there will be a seminar on "Selected Topics in Continuous and Combinatorial Optimisation". Computer science students in the Master's programme can look forward to the seminar "Data-driven modelling of complex systems". "I personally have made the experience that it is often good to take an interest beyond the boundaries of one's own curriculum. Only then do you realise that there are connection possibilities in many directions," says Jr.-Prof. Peitz.
But ongoing and planned research projects will also accompany him this semester. On the one hand, he is researching a joint project with dSPACE GmbH in the field of autonomous driving with the aim of making the development and testing process more efficient. On the other hand, he is dealing with the development of solution algorithms for non-smooth multi-objective optimisation problems in an ongoing DFG project.
The change to computer science opens up new possibilities for Jun.-Prof. Dr. Sebastian Peitz to approach problems from a different perspective. For him, it is particularly important to look at complex systems from different technical areas, which often leads to interesting research questions.
We are very pleased to welcome Jun.-Prof. Dr. Sebastian Peitz to the Institute of Computer Science and wish him a good start to the summer semester 2021.
