Institute of Physics

Physics research and education at our institute covers a wide range of topics - both experimental and theoretical, and ranging from fundamental to more applied.

Tomato plants’ sticky self-defence ‘minefields’

Many plants use tiny ‘hairs’ called trichomes as a first line of defence against plant-eating insects. New research by experimental physicists and plant physiologists at the University of Amsterdam shows how tomato ...
In Memoriam Leendert Gerrit Suttorp

On 17 March 2025 Leendert Suttorp passed away. For decades, he was a prominent investigator and professor at the Institute for Theoretical Physics of the University of Amsterdam.
Philippa Cole wins L’Oréal-UNESCO prize

Former UvA postdoctoral researcher Philippa (Pippa) Cole is one of the six winners of the XXIII Italian edition of the L'Oréal-UNESCO "For Women in Science" Young Talents Italy prize. The jury, made up of a panel of ...
ERC Advanced Grants for six UvA researchers

The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded prestigious Advanced Grants to UvA academics particle physicist Gianfranco Bertone, astronomer Carsten Dominik, political scientist Marieke de Goede, ...
Giovanni Maria Tomaselli wins CAN Thesis Prize 2025

Giovanni Maria (Gimmy) Tomaselli, a recent graduate of the Institute of Physics at the University of Amsterdam, has been awarded the 2025 Committee for Astroparticle physics in the Netherlands (CAN) Thesis Prize for ...
Rubicon grant for Giovanni Maria Tomaselli

In the most recent round of Rubicon grants, NWO awarded a grant to Giovanni Maria Tomaselli. Tomaselli obtained his PhD at UvA in 2024 and will use the grant to continue his research on black holes and gravitational ...
Robbert Dijkgraaf appointed Fellow of the Royal Society

Prof. Robbert Dijkgraaf, university professor of Science and Society from an International Perspective at the UvA, has been appointed Fellow of the prestigious Royal Society, the oldest scientific academy in the ...
Hannelore Derluyn appointed professor by special appointment in Structure and Dynamics of Porous Media

Hannelore Derluyn has been appointed as professor by special appointment in Structure and Dynamics of Porous Media at the Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam. The chair is being established on behalf of ...
What friction and red traffic lights have in common

Picture yourself at a busy pedestrian crossing. When the light is red, everyone waits – until one person starts to cross. Soon, others follow, and eventually everyone follows the crowd and crosses. Amsterdam ...
UvA physicist Lorenz Eberhardt receives Gribov Medal

The Gribov Medal, a prize established by the European Physical Society for outstanding work by a young theoretical physicist, has been awarded to UvA scientist Lorenz Eberhardt. It is the first time the prestigious ...