About VU Amsterdam

Academic research and education at VU is characterised by a high level of ambition and encourages free and open communications and ideas. In 2023, VU hosted 31,949 students and 4,729 staff members, of which 1,872 scientific staff. VU comprises of 9 faculties, ranging from biomedical and sciences to humanities disciplines. Research is divided into four themes, reflecting a strong level of involvement in current societal issues: Human Health and Life Sciences, Science for Sustainability, Connected World, and Governance for Society. In the THE University Impact Ranking 2022, the VU came in as 121th and was ranked 53rd for gender equality of all universities worldwide.

The Physics of Living Systems Section includes the Theoretical Physics of Life group (led by Chase Broedersz), as well as the related Theoretical Biophysics group and four additional experimental biophysics groups (Heller, Dulin, Wuite and Peterman. Joint group meetings occur weekly with the whole section. The Physics of Living Systems Section is part of the Physics and Astronomy Department and LaserLaB, the institute of Lasers, Life and Biophotonics, of the Faculty of Science. The section works in a very collaborative manner and leverage its members' broad expertise to enable challenging projects.