For all sorts of questions relevant for PhD's or Postdocs at the Institute of Physics contact the council via our email address phdcouncil-iop@uva.nl.

Please note that we are a council formed by PhD's and Postdocs and do not decide on hiring people.

The current council members introduce themselves below.

Council Members

Gian-Piero Nicosia:

I started my PhD journey within the IoP in December 2021, exploring the fascinating interface between string theory and hydrodynamics. Outside academia, I am passionate about football and volunteer as a coach at a local amateur club. 

I joined the PhD council to help continue the legacy of support and community that has been integral to my academic journey. Feel free to contact me (or pass by my office) anytime!

Sergio Barquero Pierantoni:

Attracted by both the city and the cutting-edge research, I started my PhD at the University of Amsterdam (IoP) in 2021. Since then, I have been doing experiments - in Amsterdam and in synchrotrons all over the world - to try to understand quantum materials. I spend most of my free time developing hobbies like analog photography, painting, or road cycling when the weather allows.

In October 2022 I decided to join the IoP PhD-PD council to try to contribute to maintain the collaborative and inclusive environment that I have always experienced at the IoP. Since then, I have had an excellent time organizing various events like the IoP Symposium or career workshops. Please do not hesitate to send me an email or approach me at the coffee corner if you have any questions or if you simply want to have a chat :) 

Robert van Leeuwen:

After being part of the University of Amsterdam as a student in different forms, I started a PhD at the IoP in fall 2020. I am working on the history of physics, more precisely the history of string theory. Although definitely one of the nicest, our group is relatively small by IoP standards. Therefore one of my goals as a member of the PhD council is to foster interaction between the different subgroups of IoP. In addition I am very much into science outreach and teaching – feel free to come by or contact me with ideas or concerns at any time!

Alberto Zorzato:

I have completed my Bachelor's and Master's in Milan and Stockholm, respectively. I have been part of the IoP/QuSoft since November 2022. My PhD project is about the study of integrable models and their potential applications to quantum computing. Physics aside, I enjoy spending my free time outdoors (mountaineering and related activities), music production, and printing techniques such as xylography and linocut. Ever since I arrived here at the IoP, I have perceived a strong sense of community and mutual respect. This motivated me to take up an active role in the PhD/PD council, where we can make our opinions as students matter and we can undertake concrete steps towards making the institute an even better place. Please feel free to get in touch with me (online or in real life) if you have any thoughts or questions that you think would be important, I'm looking forward to meeting you and having a chat!

Romane le Dizes:

I joined the University of Amsterdam's Institute of Physics (IoP) as a PhD candidate in October 2020. My research focuses on the consolidation of porous media, which is crucial for preserving cultural heritage, such as preventing the decay of porous artworks, statues, and historical buildings. In my free time, I enjoy windsurfing, taking full advantage of the Netherlands' windy weather.
In 2023, I became a member of the PhD/PD council and took on the responsibility of organizing the IoP Pizza Lunch Seminar. This monthly event features lunchtime lectures with brief talks from institute members about their research, recent findings, or any physics-related topics they wish to share.
If you have any questions or would like to present at a Pizza Lunch, please feel free to contact me

Former Council Members

• Alexander van Spaendonck
• Francesca Famà
• Rebekka Koch
• Eleanor Trimby
• Evita Verheijden
• Daniel Chernowitz
• Jaco de Swart
• Bart van Voorden
• Thijs de Goede
• Damian Galante
• Antonio Capretti
• Carla Sanna
• Maureen Dinkgreve
• Laurens Kabir
• Niki Klop
• Julie Desarnaud
• Nick de Jong
• Rens Limpens
• Hamish Silverwood
• Georgios Skantzaris
• Rogier Vlijm
• Abishek Gupta