Michel Mandjes studied Econometrics and Mathematics at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam. After he obtained his PhD in Operations Research at the VU and worked outside of academia for some years. In 2000, Michel returned as full professor of Stochastic Operations Research at Twente University and as group leader at the Centre Mathematics & Computer Science (CWI). In 2004, he joined the mathematics department of the University of Amsterdam. He has taken sabbaticals at Stanford University (2008) and New York University (2013-2014). Since October 2023 Michel works at the Mathematical Institute as full professor of Probability and Operations Research.