More powerful scientific computing

The Physics Data Processing group ensures there is sufficient affordable computing power for Nikhef’s researchers. Sometimes this involves making old programmes run faster. Much scientific software dates back to the days when computers operated step-by-step. Modern computers, by contrast, can perform many operations in parallel.

The Physics Data Processing group adapts old programmes to make them much faster. That sounds easier than it is. Such adaptations require highly skilled data engineers who comb through billions of lines of source code and work in a highly focused and specific manner.

An important service is so-called GRID computing, whereby researchers can use computing power available via the network at countless other institutions.

Nikhef has also recently become closely involved in the deployment of quantum computers for research. To this end, the first quantum computer is being built at Amsterdam Science Park in collaboration with universities.

Since 2026, a Nikhef working group has been working on the broad application of artificial intelligence across all the institute’s research programmes. The scientific reliability and quality assurance of AI use are also key topics in this regard.

Together with 11 centres around the world, Nikhef forms the backbone of CERN’s computing power. Together with the university ICT organisation SURF, it operates the Tier-1 Computing Centre, which boasts thousands of cores of computing power and petabytes of storage. The centres are connected to the rest of the world via network connections of hundreds of gigabits per second.

Nikhef’s computing power is not solely at the service of CERN. Research into gravitational waves with Virgo and the search for dark matter by XENONnT, for example, also benefit from it. In addition, Nikhef, together with the University of Groningen, serves as the heart of the e-infrastructure for all Dutch research.

The computers in the Nikhef and SURF data centres are, for example, also used by brain researchers, biodiversity scientists, climate researchers and astronomers.

Nikhef has extensive experience in scaling up and accelerating computer networks, known as hyperscale networking. The institute works closely with companies in this regard. They can test their new products on a large scale before the products are released onto the market.

Nikhef also possesses extensive expertise in the field of software for large networks and collaborations. This began back in 1992 when the institute set up the first website in the Netherlands and the third in the world.

Even today, Nikhef’s engineers continue to contribute to the software infrastructure that enables secure data traffic, both nationally and internationally, for example with CERN.

Nikhef GRID computing

In addition to scientific computing, Nikhef also offers independent data services to companies and institutions. This activity is carried out by Nikhef Housing: https://www.nikhef.nl/housing/contact/

In 2026, a large part of the data network of the university ICT organisation SURF will be transferred to Nikhef Housing.