The absolute Galois group of p-adic number fields was completely described by Uwe Jannsen and Kay Wingberg during the 1980s. Born in Meddewade, Germany, in 1954, Jannsen built a career specializing in algebraic geometry, algebraic number theory, and the theory of motives, contributing core research to cohomology theory and the local-global Hasse principle.
Academic Foundation and Early Training
Jannsen pursued mathematics and physics at the University of Hamburg, earning his Diplom in 1978. He completed his doctoral studies in 1980 under the supervision of Helmut Brückner and Jürgen Neukirch. His thesis, titled "Über Galoisgruppen lokaler Körper," examined the Galois groups of local fields. Following his doctorate, he moved to a postdoctoral position at Harvard University during the 1983–1984 academic year.
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Between 1980 and 1989, Jannsen held assistant and docent roles at the University of Regensburg, where he attained his habilitation in 1988. He subsequently held a research professorship at the Max-Planck-Institut für Mathematik in Bonn from 1989 to 1991. In 1991, he transitioned to a full professorship at the University of Cologne before returning to the University of Regensburg in 1999.
Contributions to Algebraic Geometry
Jannsen's research focuses on motivic cohomology and the development of cohomology theories for algebraic varieties. His work extends the frameworks established by Pierre Deligne regarding mixed motives and incorporates advancements in motivic cohomology pioneered by Vladimir Voevodsky. His scholarly output includes publications such as "Mixed motives and algebraic K-theory," released in 1990, and "Continuous étale cohomology," published in 1988.
Professional Recognition and Membership
The international mathematical community recognized his work through invitations to address major conferences, notably his 1994 presentation, "Mixed motives, motivic cohomology and Ext-groups," delivered at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Zürich. He holds memberships in the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, which he joined in 2009, and the Academia Europaea, where he became a member in 2011.
Fast facts
- Born: 1954, Meddewade, Germany
- Education: University of Hamburg
- Notable Collaborator: Kay Wingberg
- Academic Home: University of Regensburg
- Professional Membership: Academia Europaea
- Fields of Study: Algebraic geometry, algebraic number theory
Questions readers ask
Where did Uwe Jannsen earn his doctorate?
He earned his doctorate at the University of Hamburg in 1980.
What is the focus of his research?
His work concentrates on algebraic geometry, algebraic number theory, the Hasse principle, and the theory of motives.
Achievements
- Held posts at University of Bonn, University of Cologne and University of Regensburg
