About The University of Leiden

Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of the leading international research universities in Europe. The University has seven faculties and a campus in both Leiden and The Hague. The Leiden Institute for Physics, LION, has an illustrious history, with Nobel awardee such as Lorentz, van der Waals, Kamerlingh-Onnes and Zeeman among its first professors and PhD students. It retains the Leiden institute for Theoretical Physics, Institute Lorentz, which is the theory division of the Physics Department, where the PI is located and where the Doctoral Candidate will be a member. Institute Lorentz began its activities in 1921 with a public lecture by Lorentz. Notable members were Ehrenfest and Einstein, who held a visiting position. Local researchers have an incredible opportunity to interact with outstanding visitors and several opportunities to host workshops.

In recent years, the department has strategically developed a focus on soft materials, leading to the establishment of SLAM (Smart, Living and Active matter, slam-leiden.nl/Slam/Main/), consisting of 6 (soon 7) faculty and about 25 students and postdocs. It hosts a regular seminar series, and many collaborative projects, e.g. between Prof. Silke Henkes and Prof. Daniela Kraft.

Students will have access to all Leiden University facilities including offices, computer and software access, libraries, meeting rooms and videoconferencing facilities. The group has access to several computer clusters, both at the departmental and University level.