Erik Van Der Kraaij
About Erik Van Der Kraaij
Erik Van Der Kraaij is an Accelerator Physicist with extensive experience in particle acceleration and simulation studies. He has worked at various institutions, including NIKHEF, CERN, and IBA, and has contributed to the design of proton accelerators and the integration of MRI devices in Proton Therapy systems.
Current Role at IBA
Erik Van Der Kraaij has been working at IBA as an Accelerator Physicist since 2016. His role involves the design and development of particle transportation beam lines for cyclotron and Rhodotron applications. He is based in Louvain-la-Neuve, where he applies his expertise in accelerator physics to enhance the performance of medical and industrial accelerators.
Previous Experience at NIKHEF
From 2005 to 2009, Erik Van Der Kraaij worked as a PhD student at NIKHEF. During this time, he conducted simulation studies aimed at improving the performance of the Rhodotron, a high current electron accelerator. His research focused on re-circulating a beam through successive diameters of a single coaxial cavity, contributing to advancements in accelerator technology.
Research Experience at CERN
Erik Van Der Kraaij served as a Fellow at CERN from 2010 to 2013. In this position, he led the design of the C30 cyclotron, a 30 MeV proton accelerator intended for isotope production. His work at CERN contributed to significant developments in particle accelerator design and functionality.
Academic Background
Erik Van Der Kraaij studied at the University of Amsterdam, where he earned a Master of Science in Theoretical Physics from 1998 to 2005. Prior to this, he attended Almere College from 1992 to 1998, achieving a VWO diploma with a focus on languages and economics. His academic background laid a strong foundation for his career in accelerator physics.
Quality Assurance Role at IBA
Before his current position, Erik Van Der Kraaij worked at IBA as a Quality Assurance Specialist from 2014 to 2016. In this role, he was responsible for ensuring the quality and reliability of accelerator systems. His experience in quality assurance complemented his technical expertise in accelerator physics.