In 1625 he enrolled at the University of Leiden and completed initial studies in natural history and philosophy under Gilbert Jachaeus (1578–1628) and Franco Petri Burgersdijk .

He then turned to medical studies, attending lectures by Otto Heurnius, Ewaldus Schrevelius, Adrian van Falkenburg (1581–1650) and Adolphus Vorstius.

He continued his studies under Menelaus Winsemius (1591–1639), and completed his doctorate on 19 October 1630 with a treatise on De virulentia venerea.

Following an invitation (August 1639) from their Professor of Anatomy and Botany, van der Linden joined the University of Franeker, giving his introductory lecture on De medico futuro necessariis (On 26 November 1639) then enrolled in the registers on 2 December 1639.

An important fruit of his studies was the medical bibliography De Medici libri duo scriptis (Garrison-Morton 6744), which was enlarged through 3 editions while he lived, and then by later authors.