About
Welcome! I am Jurjen. I work as a radio astronomer and software developer at
Leiden Observatory and
ASTRON, where I work on developing and improving data-reduction strategies
and automated techniques for processing radio interferometric data. I am currently focusing on improving pipelines for the European
LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) to produce wide-field
high-resolution images on HPC clusters. My research also explores the cosmic evolution of radio galaxies
and energetic phenomena like galaxy cluster mergers.
Beyond astronomy, I am 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 travelling. You can find more about that here.
Career
Postdoc | PhD candidate
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
Matrixian Group
Aug 2019–Jan 2021
Developed machine learning pipelines, address validators, and APIs for various clients.
Mathematical Astronomer (Intern)
European Space Agency
Sep 2019–Jan 2020
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–Aug 2017
Worked on automating calculations for determining stresses on lifting lugs.
Co-founder
Stamily
Aug 2018–Present
Co-founded the non-profit Stamily, supporting people who stutter and served as first chair of the board.
Education
PhD Radio Astronomy
Leiden University (the Netherlands)
2021–2025
Studied galaxy cluster mergers and radio galaxy evolution and developed techniques for wide-field sub-arcsecond imaging with LOFAR.
Exchange – Chinese language and culture
National Cheng Kung University (Taiwan)
2018-2018
During the summer of 2018, I studied Chinese/Taiwanese culture and language with a scholarship from Leuven University.
MSc. Space Studies
KU Leuven (Belgium)
2017–2018
Studied various topics across the space industry, including space biology, law, technology, and science.
Exchange – Physics & Astronomy
Uppsala University (Sweden)
2016–2017
As part of the Erasmus+ exchange, I followed astronomy and physics courses as part of my master's degree in mathematics in Ghent.
MSc. Mathematics
Ghent University (Belgium)
2015–2017
Courses in applied/fundamental mathematics, astronomy, theoretical physics, and quantum computing. Thesis on applying the analytical Fox-H function to the Nuker Model.
BSc. Physics
Utrecht University (the Netherlands)
2013–2015
I completed courses about fundamental physics, including quantum mechanics, special relativity, advanced Newtonian mechanics, and more.
For my bachelor's thesis project, I analysed the Ganita-Yukti-Bhasa, originally written in Malayalam/Sanskriet.
BSc. Mathematics
Utrecht University (the Netherlands)
2012-2015
I focused on both fundamental mathematics and its applications in physics and astronomy. I also included
history and philosophy courses, which were part of the minor in history and philosophy of science.
First-authored publications
PhD Thesis
Leiden University | 2025
Benford's law in the Gaia Universe
A&A | 2020