Jörg Frauendiener

I am Professor of Applied Mathematics in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Otago.

My research focuses on analytical and numerical problems in General Relativity, Einstein’s theory of gravitation. Addressing these problems requires methods from partial differential equations, differential geometry, numerical analysis, and mathematical physics.

Generally, I am interested in the structure of asymptotically flat space-times. Specifically, I have developed numerical codes for the solution of the conformal field equations, a geometrically motivated generalisation of Einstein’s original field equations. I am also studying the geometry of null-infinity, a very useful concept to describe gravitational waves far from their sources. It was introduced in 1963 by Roger Penrose and has had far reaching applications ever since.

Some of my research was featured as a research highlight by the Marsden Fund. A recent paper was included in the 2025 collection of Physical Review Letters.