Get to know newly appointed professors at the Faculty of Engineering – this time: Prof. Dr. Matthias Bolten, Professorship for Computer Science 10 (Scientific Computing) in the Department of Computer Science since October 1, 2026.
What is your main area of research?
My research focuses on developing numerical algorithms for use on parallel computers. I am particularly interested in processes for solving differential equations for simulations in scientific and engineering applications.
Why did you choose these topics?
The mathematical problems these are based on are relatively simple and the solution methods are at the same level as what is taught in maths at high school. However, these methods are complex because we can only solve the problems efficiently with a great deal of knowledge about the specific problems and with clever algorithms. The use of modern computer architectures and their use facilitates large-scale simulations in many different disciplines.
Where were you before coming to FAU?
I was professor of scientific computing and high-performance computing at the University of Wuppertal.
Where did you study and what subjects?
I studied computer science with medical computer science as a minor subject at the University of Lübeck.
Which events and activities would you like to take part in in Erlangen and the surroundings?
There are so many! Hiking in Franconian Switzerland and going to Schlossgartenfest are at the top of my list. And our eldest daughter, who has already moved out, has already said she’s coming to the next Bergkirchweih.
What is your most useful tool as a professor?
As a computer scientist, I naturally always have my laptop with me. With it, I can move my lab to wherever it suits me: To the beach or the mountains on vacation, to conferences or simply to a courtyard on a summer’s day.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I wanted to be a firefighter – a classic choice.
Do you have a role model? If so, did they influence your academic or professional career?
The supervisor of my “Diplom” thesis, Bernd Fischer, who unfortunately died much too soon many years ago. He significantly influenced my choice of specialization for my research and really encouraged me to start a doctoral degree. The way he treated students as his equals in particular is something I find worth emulating.
Have you got any hidden talents?
I’m afraid not.
Is there something you’ve always wanted to do?
So many things! For example, I would like to see the night sky with my wife somewhere where it really gets dark at night. If I had more time, I would like to learn to play an instrument or to speak a foreign language. But there are so many unsolved questions in my field that I would like to work on finding the answers to.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Matthias Bolten
Chair for Computer Science 10 – Scientific Computing
matthias.bolten@fau.de