‘The Atmosphere in the Laboratory and at HSE Is Pleasant and Highly Motivating’

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Jean-François Mehdi Jabir, a Senior Research Fellow at the Laboratory of Stochastic Analysis and Its Applications originally from France, has been working at HSE University since 2017. He was drawn to HSE by the opportunity to conduct joint research with leading Russian and international scientists, the freedom of academic discussion, and the openness of the university. Jean-François shared his thoughts on HSE University and Moscow in general with the HSE News Service.

— How did you end up working at HSE University?

— I was invited to HSE University in September 2017 as part of an initiative to attract foreign scientists. Before that, several French colleagues had spoken to me in glowing terms about the university, especially the Laboratory of Stochastic Analysis and Its Applications. I had the opportunity to find this out for myself when I visited HSE University in December 2016. I was pleasantly surprised by the high level of research and educational programmes, as well as the wide range of opportunities available to foreign scientists.

Jean-François Mehdi Jabir

Photo courtesy of Jean-François Mehdi Jabir

— Where were you working at that time? What appealed to you about HSE University and what was the deciding factor to move?

— I had been working as an associate professor at Valparaiso University in Chile since 2012. My decision to join HSE University was motived by several factors: a research topic close to my scientific interests, the opportunity to live and work closer to Europe, and the chance to make my own contribution to an ambitious international research project at the Laboratory of Stochastic Analysis.

I believe that the best scientific discoveries are made by international teams in which scientists from various counties can benefit from each other’s knowledge, methods, and experience. That is why I wanted to contribute to this process.

What’s more, I was particularly interested in HSE’s efforts to develop research and education at a high level and simultaneously expand international ties. I saw this as an opportunity to utilise the experience I had gained in France and Chile both in science and in training students and early-career researchers. For me, coming to HSE University was not just a change of workplace, but a chance to actively participate in the development of the laboratory, impart my knowledge to early-career researchers, and help build new scientific collaborations. This long-term vision was the key factor in my decision.

— How did your colleagues and loved ones react to your decision?

— Moving to a new country is always a serious step, especially given the distance and potential cultural differences. However, the level of research at HSE, which was so highly regarded among my colleagues who were working with the university, only strengthened my resolve. My loved ones were happy about how close I would be geographically, as flying from France to Russia was very straightforward and quick at the time. They were able to appreciate the quality of life in Moscow and St Petersburg for themselves during a visit in 2018.

— What kind of welcome did you get from your colleagues at HSE University? Did the language barrier cause any difficulties?

— My colleagues gave me a very warm welcome when I arrived in Moscow. They were very open and always ready to help me both with research and with day-to-day issues related to living in Russia.

Of course, the language barrier caused certain difficulties, particularly in daily life. However, this was less noticeable in a research and teaching context. English is very widely used in the scientific community, which allowed me to quickly establish productive relationships with my colleagues. I continue to teach students and mentor early-career researchers in English.

I strive to maintain my previous level of scientific cooperation and human contact. The warm welcome from my Russian colleagues and the general interest in research significantly made up for the initial language difficulties.

— How is the atmosphere in the laboratory and at HSE in general?

— I would describe it as pleasant and highly motivating. I particularly like how easy it is to share my thoughts with colleagues. Scientific discussions here are always constructive, and everyone is ready to collaborate. HSE’s openness and international nature are also very important; they facilitate the exchange of ideas and the implementation of joint projects. I feel wonderful in this environment—it is perfect for research.

— In your opinion, which fields of research at the laboratory are at the forefront of world science?

— The Laboratory of Stochastic Analysis and Its Applications is a renowned research centre that has achieved significant success in the study and analysis of modern probability theory, mathematical modelling, and statistics. Its high status is confirmed by its successful involvement in international collaborations. Basic research at the laboratory is aimed at studying random processes, stochastic differential equations, and optimal control problems. What’s more, the laboratory develops innovative approaches to solving specific applied problems, including financial modelling, risk management, and complex data analysis. The laboratory actively collaborates with leading research partners around the world and regularly publishes its results in the most prestigious Russian and international journals.

— Which fields do you consider to be research priorities?

— In my opinion, priority topics are those that lie at the foundation of stochastic analysis and which help solve problems that arise in modern complex applications.

Firstly, the study of stochastic differential equations remains a central topic in stochastics. Problems that we have encountered for half a century in finance, physics, and biology related to the existence, uniqueness, and regularity of solutions and the analysis of models still require the solution of complex mathematical problems. I also believe that interaction between stochastic analysis and machine learning requires further study. Stochastic methods play a key role in machine learning algorithms, which gives rise to new theoretical questions pertaining to the generalisation and reliability of these algorithms.

Photo courtesy of Jean-François Mehdi Jabir

Another priority topic that is inseparable from the first is large-scale systems such as interacting particle systems and mean-field games. These models are the basis for understanding complex phenomena in various fields, including physics, biology, economics, and network science. Effective algorithms, theoretical analysis of them, and detailed assessment of their errors are essential for establishing a solid link between theory and practice.

I prefer research that combines a deep theoretical foundation with an interdisciplinary approach. The most significant progress is often made in precisely these interactions. Essentially, new applied problems stimulate the development of new mathematical methods.

— Do you work with both Russian and international students? In what ways are they similar and different from each other?

— Yes, I have been fortunate enough to work with students of various nationalities, including Russian, French, and representatives of other cultures. There are of course some differences related to education systems, but they are not substantial. Whatever their nationality, motivated students are united by the same intellectual curiosity, desire to understand advanced mathematical methods, and satisfaction when they manage to solve a complex problem. They always have the same attitude to demanding but well-intentioned teaching that encourages independence and individual thinking.

— How did you get through the pandemic?

— Like for many people, it was a challenging time both professionally and personally. It forced us to quickly change our work habits and ways of communicating.

In terms of teaching, it was necessary to quickly adapt to remote learning and to find new ways of maintaining contact with students. This experience taught me to use digital tools more effectively and to pay special attention to student monitoring, regardless of the limitations imposed by the situation.

Regarding research, there were severe restrictions on travel and meetings, but we did manage to continue collaborating via online meetings. This period showed that scientific cooperation can remain active even at a distance, although we missed informal exchanges and face-to-face communication. Online meetings are great as a supplement, but they are no substitute for the kind of in-person communication essential for proper exchanges of opinions and ideas.

— Do you like Moscow?

— Yes, very much. Moscow has been a pleasant surprise for me. Firstly, I appreciate its scientific and cultural dynamics. There are a lot of universities and research institutes here, and the cultural life is incredibly rich. Such an environment is very inspiring for researchers and teachers.

I also like the diversity of the city. Moscow has an extraordinary historical heritage, a wide variety of architecture, lots of parks, and modern infrastructure. It is a city where you can easily combine work, cultural events, and leisure.

Of course, it has its problems like any major city, but these are largely balanced out by the professional and personal opportunities available. Over time, I have come to feel much more comfortable in Moscow.