Leiden Institute of Physics

Research at the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION) is foundational and curiosity driven. All our scientists share a desire to increase the knowledge of the world around us, in an open atmosphere of inquiry from which innovative ideas emerge that provide applications and value for society.

At LION we embrace the full breadth of physics, addressing questions from the smallest to the largest scales, and from extremely fast to very slow processes. We study a broad range of systems and phenomena, from cosmic strings to DNA strands, from granular materials to quantum dots and from protein assemblies to socio‐economic networks.

Three research areas

Our research efforts focus on Quantum Matter and Quantum Information, Biological and Soft Active Matter, and in Cosmology. One of our strengths is a close interaction between theory (at the Lorentz Institute) and experiment (in the Huygens-Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory), with advanced theoretical modeling going hand in hand with the development of novel, world-class instrumentation.

Education 

We offer Bachelor and Master education programmes. We also have a PhD programme, in which candidates carry out independent research projects, complemented by various types of skills training. We support PhD candidates in their research on all levels, from direct supervision by a leading LION scientist to a dedicated PhD platform and mentoring, to ensure a successful PhD.