“My mission is to bring mathematics forward as a key enabling technology, stressing its importance for industry and society.” 

Wil Schilders is a Full Professor and Chair of Scientific Computing in the Industry in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). His research focuses on numerical linear algebra, indefinite systems, model order reduction, scientific computing, discretisation techniques, boundary element method, singularly perturbed problems, exponential fitting, uniform methods, solution of nonlinear systems, nonlinear variable transformations and numerical methods for the simulation of semiconductor devices and electronic circuits.

Wil’s key areas of expertise include computer systems, architectures, networks, numerical analysis, model order reduction, scientific computing and computational science. He has worked in industry for over 30 years and his emphasis has always been on the development of novel mathematical methods for a large variety of industrial challenges. This is also reflected in his current work, with many national and international industrial contacts, and his presidency of ECMI (2010-2011) and EU-MATHS-IN (from 2016). 

Wil Schilders studied Mathematics, with Physics and Astronomy, at the Radboud University in Nijmegen where he obtained his MSc. He received his PhD from Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, with a thesis entitled “Uniform numerical methods for problems with initial and boundary layers” that was published as a book and translated in Russian and Chinese.

In 1980, he joined Philips in Eindhoven, where he worked in the Mathematical Software Group (MSW) on numerical methods for the simulation of semiconductor devices. In 1990, the group moved to the Philips Research Laboratories in Eindhoven (PRLE), and merged with the mathematics group of PRLE to form the Applied Mathematics Group (AMG). In 1996, Wil moved to the IC Design sector of Philips Research. During this period, contacts started with the Scientific Computing group at TU Eindhoven.  

In 2006, Wil moved to the newly formed company NXP Semiconductors where he led the Mathematics Group. In 2010, he moved permanently to TU Eindhoven and also became executive director of the Dutch Platform for Mathematics. In 2011-2012, he led the Scientific Computing Group at TU/e. Wil is also director of the Project Development Office at the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, TU/e, Executive director Platform Wiskunde Nederland and Chair of European Network for Model Order Reduction.