April 12, 2024 — The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) is thrilled to announce that three of its esteemed faculty members, Professor Maren R. Niehoff, Professor Nathan (Nati) Linial, and Professor David Kazhdan, have been awarded prestigious research grants by the European Research Council (ERC). Prof. Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University, congratulated the three by saying “I am thrilled to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Professors Maren R. Niehoff, Nathan Lineal, and David Kazhdan on their well-deserved recognition by the European Research Council. Professor Niehoff’s inaugural grant, alongside Professor Linial’s second-time acknowledgment and Professor Kazhdan’s extraordinary third-time achievement, underscore the enduring dedication and continued groundbreaking contributions of our esteemed faculty. These repeat grants not only signify exceptional individual accomplishment but also affirm Hebrew University’s enduring commitment to fostering pioneering research that shapes the future of academia and beyond.”

Professor Maren R. Niehoff, Max Cooper Chair of Jewish Thought in the Faculty of Humanities at HU, has been awarded the grant for her research on the interface between Judaism and Greco-Roman culture, with a particular focus on the influence of Rome. Her work delves into how Judaism evolved within the Roman Empire from philosophical, legal, and literary perspectives, uncovering parallel transformations among the Greeks and Christians.

Professor Nathan Linial, from the Rachel and Selim Benin School of Computer Science and Engineering, the Einstein Institute of Mathematics, and the Federmann Center for the Study of Rationality at HU, has been awarded a grant for his research into error-correcting codes. In his research, Lineal and his students have developed mathematical methods employing analysis, optimization, and combinatorics to analyze the optimal balance between the rate of an error-correction code and how many errors it can correct.

Professor David Kazhdan, from the Einstein Institute of Mathematics HU, has been honored with a grant for his research on uncovering hidden symmetries across various mathematical fields and exploring their applications. His work aims to illuminate unexpected connections between disparate mathematical theories and leverage these symmetries to solve intricate problems.

ERC grants, each approximately valued at 2.5 million euros (approximately 2.68 million USD), stand among the most prestigious and competitive research grants offered by the European Union. These grants provide seasoned researchers with the opportunity to pursue ambitious projects capable of catalyzing significant scientific breakthroughs. They are bestowed upon leading researchers with substantial achievements in their respective fields over the past decade.

Congratulations to Professor Niehoff, Professor Linial, and Professor Kazhdan!