Peter R. Luijten received his training in physical and theoretical chemistry from 1972-1979 (Amsterdam). After finalizing his thesis on NMR studies of molecular dynamics in liquid crystals (1984, Amsterdam, San Diego), he became a research scientists at Philips Medical Systems in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging division. He developed multiple new technologies resulting in several patent applications and peer reviewed scientific journals.

He served on the board of trustees of the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, was appointed a fellow of this society in 1995 and received the European Magnetic Resonance Award for Basic Sciences in 2002.