After his PhD in applied physics (thesis: Atomic configurations and electronic structures of dislocations, with highest distinction cum laude, thesis supervisor. Prof.dr.ir. A. Wegener Sleeswyk) of the University of Groningen and his postdoctoral years in USA, Chicago and UC-Berkeley, he was appointed professor in applied physics by the Crown, ‘Koninklijk Besluit 101’ 6th October, 1977 at the University of Groningen.

His research focuses on electron microscopy, dislocation dynamics, and interface science related to surface engineering. He published more than 650 scientific publications, a/o. 21 chapters in books, edited 3 books and so far he supervised 53 PhDs and 286 master students. His scientific responsibilities include numerous editorships of international scientific journals, a/o principal editor of the J. Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, associate editor Acta Materialia/Scripta Materialia and member of the board of Governors of Acta Materialia Inc, USA, editorial boards Encyclopedia Nano Science and Nanotechnology,Current NanoScience, Surface Coating & technology; Surface Engineering, Interface Science, Computational Materials Science, Materials Science Forum, Microstructure and Materials Properties, High temperature materials and processes..

In 1998 he was elected honorary member of the Applied Physics student association ‘TFV Professor Francken’.

He is member of the “The Royal Holland Society of Sciences and Humanities”, of the “Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences” (KNAW) division physics and vice -chairman of the council Physics and Astronomy of the KNAW. In 2002 he was elected Fellow of the American Society for Metals (FASM), followed by the Acta Materialia Inc award in 2003. In 2004 he became Fellow of the Wessex Institute of Great Britain.

In 2005 he received the Eminent Scientist Medal of Wessex Institute of Great Britain/University of Southampton and the European Materials Gold Medal of the Federation of European Materials Societies (FEMS).