Internships pair mathematics researchers with organizations to solve R&D challenges in Quebec and Ontario

Montreal, QC — The Centre de recherches mathématiques (CRM) and Mitacs, a national not-for-profit research and training organization, have partnered to see graduate and postdoctoral researchers solve challenges in collaboration with businesses and not-for-profit organizations using applications of mathematical sciences.

The partnership will provide companies and organizations with access to top mathematical scientists from Quebec and Ontario to support the development of technologies and services.

Example projects include:

• Predicting energy demand across an urban network using machine learning methods, in partnership with a provincial utilities regulator
• Optimizing staff scheduling to meet customer demand using volume prediction equations, in partnership with a customer service call agency
• Modelling corrosion and material degradation using mathematical equations to determine the risk of structural failure, in partnership with an infrastructure engineering contractor

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will have opportunities to transfer their skills from theory to real-world application, while local companies gain a competitive advantage by accessing high-quality research expertise.

The agreement signed between CRM and Mitacs, will be realized through Mitacs’ research internship program, which is dedicated to advancing innovation in Canada through university-industry partnerships. Interns and fellows will benefit from the opportunity to develop their professional skills and networks as they investigate solutions to research challenges.

Quotes:

Alejandro Adem, Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director, Mitacs
“We’re pleased to partner with CRM to match mathematics researchers to industry challenges in Quebec and Ontario. These internships will provide local companies the opportunity to advance their products and services by applying the innovative expertise of mathematics researchers to their unique business challenges.”

Luc Vinet, Director, Centre de recherches mathématiques
“I am enormously pleased by the partnership with Mitacs, which will enable the CRM to offer to the young researchers we are training in the mathematical sciences an experience in industrial problem solving, and possibly, a bridge towards careers in the private sector. Mitacs plays a unique intermediary role between academia and industry, and it is important for us to associate ourselves with it vigorously.  Having been one of the founding members of Mitacs, you will understand that I am enthusiastic!”

Quick facts about the Centre de recherches mathématiques:

• Founded in 1968, the mandate of the CRM is to serve as a national centre for fundamental research in mathematics and its applications, as well as to provide thematic programming in education, outreach, innovation, and knowledge transfer
• With thirteen laboratories involving over 200 researchers at major universities across Quebec and Ontario, and an additional 1,500 visiting international scientists annually, the CRM is a key hub for mathematics research in North America, and the world

Quick facts about Mitacs:

• Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit organization that has designed and delivered research and training programs in Canada for 16 years
• Working with 60 universities, thousands of companies, and both federal and provincial governments, Mitacs builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada
• Mitacs’ research internship program connects graduate students with industry and not-for-profit partners for collaborations supervised by faculty
• Open to all disciplines and all industry sectors, projects can span a wide range of areas, including manufacturing, business processes, IT, design, and more

Links:

• To learn more about the Centre de recherches mathématiques, visit www.crm.umontreal.ca
• For information about Mitacs and research and training programs, see mitacs.ca/newsroom

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