About
My name is Jurjen and I am a radio astronomer at Leiden Observatory
and ASTRON. Previously, I studied and worked in five different countries and across a range of disciplines.
Astronomy
My research focuses on developing and improving techniques for automated wide-field imaging with the longest baselines from the radio telescope LOFAR,
with the goal of producing the deepest and highest-resolution images below 200 MHz.
I am also studying radio galaxies in both total intensity and polarisation to deepen our understanding of their origin and the evolution of the Universe.
You can read more about my background and experience in my academic CV.
Beyond research
I am also a co-founder of
Stamily, a platform created for and by people who stutter, supporting
connection and community for people who stutter around the world. I also enjoy learning about our Big History,
which inspired me to develop this Big History timeline.
Next to exploring the universe, I like to explore our Earth as well. I therefore documented here
some of my travels with an interactive map and pictures.
Career
Researcher | Radio astronomer
Leiden Observatory
Jan 2021–Present
Developing techniques and strategies for LOFAR VLBI calibration and imaging with the aim to study radio galaxy evolution.
I was also a teaching assistant for the master course 'Radio Astronomy' and supervisor of several bachelor and master research projects.
From 2021 to 2024 in the role as PhD candidate and from 2025 until now as a postdoc.
Software Developer (part-time)
ASTRON
Mar 2025–Present
As part of a collaboration between Leiden Observatory and ASTRON, I am developing tools and workflows for the LOFAR VLBI calibration and imaging pipeline.
Data Scientist | Machine Learning Engineer
Matrixian Group
Feb 2019–Jan 2021
Developed machine learning pipelines, address validators, and APIs for various clients.
Mathematical Astronomer (Intern)
European Space Agency
Sep 2018–Jan 2019
Investigated patterns in stellar-distance data from Gaia DR2. This work resulted in a publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics.
Astrobites also wrote an article about this work.
Science Writer
Scientias
Aug 2017–Jan 2020
Wrote popular science articles about physics, mathematics, history, computing, and the space industry. You can find my articles here.
Mechanical Engineer (Intern)
EPPM, Tunisia
Jun 2017–Aug 2017
Worked on automating calculations for determining stresses on lifting lugs.
Education
PhD Radio Astronomy
Leiden University (the Netherlands)
2021–2025
During my PhD degree,
I studied galaxy cluster mergers and radio galaxy evolution and developed
techniques for wide-field sub-arcsecond imaging with LOFAR. This resulted in 5 first-authored peer-reviewed papers and
a PhD thesis.
MSc. Space Studies
KU Leuven (Belgium)
2017–2018
During this advanced master's degree,
I studied a broad range of topics within the space sector, including space biology, law, technology, and science.
In the summer of 2018, I was awarded a scholarship to study Chinese language and culture at National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan.
MSc. Mathematics
Ghent University (Belgium)
Uppsala University (Sweden)
2015–2017
During this master’s degree at Ghent University, I undertook courses in both applied and fundamental mathematics, as well as astronomy, theoretical physics, and quantum computing.
I also spent a year at Uppsala University in Sweden through the Erasmus+ exchange programme.
My master’s thesis focused on applying the analytical Fox H-function to the Nuker model, used to describe the surface brightness profiles of galactic nuclei.
BSc. Physics
Utrecht University (the Netherlands)
2013–2015
During this bachelor’s degree, I completed courses in core areas of physics, including quantum mechanics,
special relativity, and advanced Newtonian mechanics.
For my bachelor’s thesis, I analysed mathematical astronomy work from the Ganita-Yukti-Bhasa, which was originally written in Malayalam/Sanskrit.
BSc. Mathematics
Utrecht University (the Netherlands)
2012-2015
During this bachelor's degree,
I concentrated on fundamental mathematics and its applications in physics and astronomy,
while also taking courses in history and philosophy as part of a minor in the history and philosophy of science.
For my bachelor’s thesis, I analysed mathematical astronomy work from the Ganita-Yukti-Bhasa, which was originally written in Malayalam/Sanskrit.
Propadeautic Mechanical Engineering
Avans University of Applied Sciences (the Netherlands)
2011-2012
During this one-year propadeautic,
I completed a range of courses in mechanical engineering,
covering theoretical subjects such as materials science, Newtonian mechanics, and advanced mathematics,
as well as practical training in drilling, milling, and welding.
After one year, I chose to leave mechanical engineering to pursue a degree in mathematics at university level.