Bruno Ehrler appointed new director of AMOLF
Honorary professor Bruno Ehrler of the Faculty of Science and Engineering (University of Groningen) has been appointed new director of AMOLF, the NWO Institute for research into functional complex matter. Ehrler will succeed Huib Bakker on 1 January 2026.
Ehrler has been an honorary professor at the University of Groningen since 2020, where he is involved in developing new concepts for hybrid solar cell materials at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials.
Connected to society
NWO President Marcel Levi is delighted with the appointment: ‘Ehrler combines scientific excellence with a broad strategic perspective. He has a strong commitment to further shaping AMOLF as a fundamental and applied research institute deeply connected to society. With this appointment, AMOLF will continue having leadership that understands both the academic and societal value of research. I am confident that he will guide the institute with vision, integrity, and energy.’
Role in energy transition
As vice-chair of the Netherlands Energy Research Alliance (NERA) and figurehead of the NWA route Energy Transition, Ehrler brings extensive experience in strategic coordination, science policy, and community building. This was also instrumental in his contribution to establishing SolarNL, a national program for the industrialization of solar energy. As Program Director of SolarLab, the national solar energy research consortium, Ehrler leads a major academic program that connects universities, research institutes, and industry across the Netherlands.
‘I look forward to serving as AMOLF’s director and contributing to its continued excellence as one of the Netherlands’ leading research institutes.'
Ehrler and AMOLF
After his PhD and postdoctoral work at the University of Cambridge, Ehrler joined AMOLF in 2014. He leads the Hybrid Solar Cells group, which focuses on topics such as perovskite photovoltaics and neuromorphic devices, as well as the interdisciplinary department of LMPV-Sustainable Energy Materials. Since joining AMOLF, Ehrler has has deeply invested in the institute's scientific mission, collaborative culture and dynamic research program. Ehrler: ‘I look forward to serving as AMOLF’s director and contributing to its continued excellence as one of the Netherlands’ leading research institutes.'
About AMOLF
AMOLF conducts fundamental research into the physical properties and design principles of complex matter, both natural and non-natural. It focuses on topics such as light-matter interactions at the nanoscale, programmable mechanical metamaterials and molecular mechanisms behind cellular functions. The knowledge gained is used to develop new functional materials and find solutions to societal challenges in renewable energy, green ICT, and health care.
Read more
-
Bruno Ehrler appointed new director of AMOLF (news AMOLF)
| Last modified: | 22 August 2025 11.23 a.m. |
More news
-
08 October 2025
Not all plastic needs to be bio-based or biodegradable
Per person, we throw away about 33 kilos of plastic packaging per year. Professor of Polymer Chemistry Katja Loos is working on a more sustainable future for plastics - by looking at more than the material itself.
-
06 October 2025
The GenAI-bubble will burst, but don’t give up on AI altogether
'People keep promoting the belief that generative AI provides universal tools that are capable of much more,’ says Michael Biehl, Professor of Machine Learning. ‘Sooner or later, the genAI bubble will burst,’ he is certain. But that doesn’t mean all...
-
01 October 2025
In Science Podcast: Ajay Kottapalli about seal whiskers and ultrasensitive sensors
'In Science' is the podcast of the University of Groningen. In this episode, we’re joined by Ajay Kottapalli, Associate Professor at the Engineering and Technology Institute Groningen and co-founder of the Sencilia startup.