Academia - Professor

Laurens Swinkels, Associate Professor of Finance at Erasmus School of Economics, and Ronald Doeswijk introduced new research to better determine a truer market portfolio. The Financial Times has dedicated an article to this research paper. 

The research by Doeswijk and Swinkels presents an updated global market portfolio, using monthly data from 1970-2022 to examine risk and reward over a broader time span than previous studies. They focus on investable assets weighted by market sizes, although the method has limitations. The study finds the global market portfolio generated excess returns of 0.3% per month during this period. The use of monthly data offers nuanced insights into the market's performance.

To continue reading and downloading the article, visit this EUR-webpage.

Ever thought about working at UMC Utrecht? They developed talent programs specifically for PhD-students, post-docs, assistant professors, associate and new full professors.

"The program offers opportunity for your vision and ambition, something we simply do not get around to in everyday life. That's very pleasant." states one of the participants of this talent program.

Read more about working at this medical centre as a scientist: https://www.academictransfer.com/en/employer/umcu/.

Scientists continue to explore age-old physics problem

The popular Netflix series 3 Body Problem, which launched in March 2024, delves into many topics that the researchers at the Faculty of Science deal with on a daily basis. Virtual realities, extra dimensions, and advanced nano fibers weave throughout the storyline. However, the three-body problem is leading. What exactly entails this complex issue, and does it have real-world significance? PhD candidates in theoretical physics, Mick van Vliet and Arno Hoefnagels, shed light on these questions.

Continue reading about the research of Mick and Arno.

“Ik vind het leuk om mensen en instituten uit verschillende vakgebieden bij elkaar te brengen. Vanuit mijn rol bij NWO sta ik echt aan de vooravond van innovatie en kennis. Hoewel het werk vrij individueel is, zijn we bij NWO altijd verantwoordelijk als team.” zegt Setareh Mohammadin, Programmacoördinator bij NWO (Dutch Research Council).

Wil je graag werken aan het vernieuwen en verbeteren van de wetenschap? Lees meer over NWO als werkgever - Samen werken aan wetenschap.

“Radboud university medical center encourages you to look at the global picture. As a hospital, you are not in the spotlight, but you are able to make a difference in the world.” Jakko, clinical microbiologist.

At Radboud university medical center, you build the future. Whether your heart is in healthcare, research, or education, we help you move forwards.

Will you join Radboudumc in making the difference and to have a significant impact on healthcare?

Friday 11 Oct 2024, 09:00 - 17:00, Campus Woudestein

What can universities do to enable a just and sustainable society?

We are very happy to announce that we will finally welcome higher education institutions and organizations from across The Netherlands on the 11th of October 2024 at Erasmus University Rotterdam. Together, we’ll reimagine the role of universities in shaping a just and sustainable society and foster a collaborative movement within Dutch academia. Regardless of our fields of study or research, the desire to leave behind a thriving planet for future generations unites us all. 

The EUR Sustainability Summit 2024 invites students and staff from the EUR community, as well as peers from other higher education institutions across the Netherlands, to come together, share insights, and collectively devise common strategies. 

More information and sign up: https://www.eur.nl/en/events/eur-sustainability-summit-2024-2024-10-11.

Iridescent bacteria even found in deep ocean

Some bacteria form colonies that display striking, reflective colours. New genetic insights into the formation of such colours allowed an interdisciplinary, international team of researchers to identify the environments and bacterial groups in which these colours are found. Doing so, the team has made a start in understanding the function of these colours in bacteria. The findings, which were published yesterday in the scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), might have implications for the development of new innovative materials that use bacteria to replace non-sustainable dyes.

The striking, vibrant colours that we know from butterfly wings and peacock feathers are not the result of dyes or pigments. Instead, they are created by tiny, ordered structures that interact with light, creating a vibrant display of hues that is often perceived as iridescence (changes in colours depending on the angle of view or illumination). Such ‘structural colour’ is widespread in nature, and also exist in bacteria.

"The new fundamental insights in structural colour in bacteria might serve as the foundation for the future development of innovative materials." - Colin Ingham, founder of biotech company Hoekmine BV and initiator of the study

Continue reading about this research at the UU Science website.

Image: Colin Ingham, Hoekmine BV.

Flourish, share and shape your world

Create new possibilities for yourself, your colleagues and society as a whole. Using modern technology and science to drive innovation, change and progress. That’s what it means to work at the University of Twente.

The University of Twente brings people and technology together in the best possible ways. Whoever you are and whatever your talents, ambitions and personal interests are, at UT, we aim to appreciate you, challenge you, and encourage you to flourish.

Join our 'High Tech Human Touch' university. Discover our University of Twente as employer.

Working in science at Radboud University

A world from which we demand more and more requires people who can make a contribution. Critical thinkers who will take a closer look at what is really important. People who wish to work together with their colleagues and with experts from other disciplines, in an open and safe environment where creativity and initiative are valued. Our modern, sustainable campus is compact and our work environment is informal. This means that your colleagues are all within easy reach, both literally and figuratively. And our facilities offer you the scope to put your ideas to the test and push your boundaries.

"Because of the interesting research, the constant innovation and friendly atmosphere, I’m excited to progress in this unique environment." Nikhil Seeja Sivakumar - PhD candidate at the Scanning Probe Microscopy department

Impact through research

What is good research to you? For us, this means discovering, digging, collaborating, discussing and inspiring. You can judge us by our world-renowned research facilities and institutes such as the HFML-FELIX or the Donders Institute. But why not simply judge us by our science? By the knowledge we acquire through interdisciplinary collaboration and by the impact this has on humans and the world.

Find out more about working in science (our research, testimonials, doing a PhD) at Radboud University.

How do we ensure that we can reuse plastic packaging material? Or how can dyes in PET bottles be reused and contribute to making plastics circular? Two research projects within the Inorganic Chemistry & Catalysis Group at Utrecht University will start within the Making plastics circular: technical innovations programme, which is part of the National Growth Fund programme Circular Plastics NL. Six million euros were divided over ten projects in total, and all studies will last five years.

Currently, 15 percent of the one million tonnes of discarded plastics produced annually in the Netherlands are recycled at high quality. The goal is for all plastics to be recycled by 2030 and production to be fully circular by 2050. With the National Growth Fund programme Circular Plastics NL, the Dutch government is investing in bottlenecks to close the cycles for existing plastics, provide sustainable growth opportunities for the Dutch economy and use subsidies to accelerate the transition.

Read more about the Utrecht University projects that have received funding via this UU-webpage.