Multiple stars, that is two or more stars composing a gravitationally bound system, are common in the universe.

Mashaghi lab conducts research at the interface of physics, engineering and biomedicine. We develop and use theoretical and experimental approaches to address basic and applied research problems.

Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen, Leiden Institute of Advanced Computer Science (LIACS)

Audiovisual and Digital Ethnography is a state-of-the-art introduction to this dynamic and growing subject. The authors explain its fundamental aspects in a clear and systematic way.

This dissertation presents new cryptographic protocols, which can be divided into two families.

This research revolves around the philosophical and linguistic elements that naturally belong to the process of learning music scores, including complex contemporary repertoire distinguished by physically decoupled notations or physical polyphonic notations.

The financial system needs complexity theory to predict economic crises like the 2008 meltdown. An international team of scientists, including Leiden physicist Diego Garlaschelli, state this in a paper published in Science on February 19th.

The master’s specialisation Research in Physics, Quantum Matter and Optics at Leiden University offers a thorough experience on the front line of physics research with a practical training of communicative and computer skills. The programme focuses on Condensed Matter problems, such as Molecular Electronics,…

The Standard Model (SM) of particle physics fails to explain several observed phenomena and is incomplete. In order to resolve this problem, one may extend the SM by adding new particles.

Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR)

This dissertation provides an account of polar questions in Italian dialects from a typological, theoretical and empirical perspective.

In our lab, we investigate the physics and material properties of low-dimensional systems.

In ‘Dimensions of Free Speech’, Devrim Kabasakal Badamchi (Leiden University Institute of Political Science) offers a new theoretical framework for free speech by critically analysing the major justifications for free speech. Kabasakal Badamchi argues for a justification: namely the double-grounded…

This thesis aims at contributing to our understanding of the semantic and prosodic properties of object foci in Greek, employing theoretical and experimental tools.

Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen, Leids Instituut voor Chemisch Onderzoek (LIC)

From July 22nd to August 1st, the Leiden Institute of Physics organizes its annual summer school, titled ‘Modern Physics at all Scales’.

The Theoretical Physics specialisation prepares you for a career in industrial research and performing problem solving tasks. The master degree is an excellent stepping stone for pursuing a PhD degree.

During the programme you will develop strong analytical and computational skills.

Behrouz Karoubi defended his thesis on 15 June 2016

This research project focuses on the extended documentation and investigation of these non-Austronesian (‘Papuan’) languages.

The master’s specialisation Theoretical Physics consists of 120 European Credit Transfer System (EC) points and includes electives (60 EC) and two research programmes (30 EC each).

The MSc programme Physics offers 5 research-oriented specialisations where you can focus on Theoretical Physics, Quantum Matter and Optics, Biological and Soft Matter, Cosmology or Casimir pre-PhD. You can also combine Physics with education, management or science communication.

This thesis is dedicated to the exploration of the primordial dark ages: unknown physics during the earliest stages of the Universe’s expansion that have not yet been directly probed by observations. Cosmic inflation is a burst of exponential expansion of space after the “Big Bang”.

The Leiden Institute of Physics (LION) offers bachelor and master level education in physics at Leiden University.

It is the aim of this project to better understand how the physical properties of lipids influences the structure and overall barrier function of the skin.

Can children’s physical play events be considered as improvisational dance? And if so, what are the shared underlying structures and characteristics?

This thesis discusses the discovery potential of Intensity Frontier experiments.

From 16 to 26 July, the Leiden Institute of Physics organizes its annual summer school, titled ‘Modern Physics at all Scales’.

Professor Carlo Beenakker has been awarded a FOM Projectruimte subsidy to build a theoretical model of a majorana gun, a very promising instrument for quantum computers.

The research in my group addresses a range of topics related to quantum many-body physics.

Information for prospective, current and international students

The programme will give you the opportunity to choose from a broad range of topics to study. You will be part of an international multidisciplinary research team at the LION.

Wiskunde en Natuurwetenschappen, Leids Instituut voor Chemisch Onderzoek (LIC)

This thesis systematically studies the physicochemical properties of non-planar, propeller-shaped, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The synthesis of several so-called propellerenes is described on a gram scale, using optimized procedures aimed at using less hazardous reagents and reducing the amount…

Professor Renata Kallosh (Stanford University), one of the world’s leading theoretical physicists, will be this summer’s Lorentz Professor at the Leiden institute for theoretical physics. Her main areas of interest are cosmology and string theory. She studied physics in Moscow, where she also obtained…

Promotor: J. Zaanen, Co-Promotor: V. Juricic

Quantifying physical activity (using accelerometers) and combining the frequency and intensity of activities with health data (brain MRI, traditional clinical parameters and metabolomics) is of utmost importance to monitor mobility and health among older individuals and study health promotion during…

The particle accelerator of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, produces large amounts of complex data with high accuracy, as a result of which theoretical predictions also need to be more accurate and faster. With his research team, PhD candidate Ben Ruijl developed very innovative…

Find out how to apply for Research in Physics, theoretical at Leiden University by following our step-by-step guide.

Do you have any questions about the master’s programme Theoretical Physics? Please contact us.

Leiden University organizes a course on quantum mechanics for high school Physics teachers. As the curriculum gains a new quantum component, the university enables teachers to give the best possible guidance to their students.

The Physics and Casimir pre-PhD specialisation is a programme to prepare you for pursuing a PhD-degree. The Casimir Research School is a joint programme offered by the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION) and the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience at Delft University of Technology.

The programme will give you the opportunity to choose from a broad range of topics to study. You will be part of an international multidisciplinary research team at our institute.

The focus of our theoretical research is understanding the behaviour of soft condensed matter, physical matter which is deformed or structurally altered by thermal fluctuations or small stresses.

Physicists at the Leiden Institute of Physics (LION) conduct fundamental research into physical phenomena. They are inspired by curiosity and the desire to know more about the world in which we live. This research has always paved the way for new practical applications. These are something that the…

A new discovery proves that it matters which approach researchers take in analyzing large physical, social or biological systems that have a networked structure. Ever since the early 1900s, scientists have assumed each approach is equivalent. Now many results in statistical physics may no longer hold.…

The focus of our theoretical physics research is the nature of macroscopic matter that is in one or the other way still in the grip of quantum physics.

The master's specialisation Astronomy and Cosmology at Leiden University covers all aspects of modern astrophysics, including observation, interpretation, simulation and theory. This programme is essentially based on combined research in astronomy and physics and is therefore open for students with…

The Physics and Education master specialisation gives you the opportunity to combine physics research with an excellent education in becoming a physics teacher.

The Physics and SCS master specialisation gives you the opportunity to combine Physics research with different aspects of science communication.