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Utrecht University is recruiting a PhD candidate for a fully funded research project investigating how global talent mobility affects Europe’s innovation capacity and strategic autonomy. The position offers a gross monthly salary of €3,204–€4,051, employee benefits and immigration assistance for international candidates who require a Dutch visa or work permit.
The Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University has opened one fully funded PhD position examining the relationship between global migration, highly skilled talent and Europe’s strategic autonomy.
About the PhD
The research focuses particularly on STEM PhD graduates and examines how doctoral education, international mobility and institutional environments influence where scientific knowledge is created and where that knowledge generates technological and economic value.
The project bridges economic geography and innovation studies.
What Will You Research?
The successful candidate will work with large-scale longitudinal information about PhD graduates alongside datasets involving areas such as:
The candidate is expected to develop datasets and use quantitative and potentially mixed-method research approaches.
Main Responsibilities
Who Can Apply?
Candidates should demonstrate a strong interest in innovation, international mobility and human capital.
Key Requirements
Advantage
web scraping and large-scale datasets
is specifically described as an advantage rather than an absolute requirement.
Funding & Benefits
This is where the opportunity becomes particularly attractive.
💰 Salary
€3,204–€4,051 gross/month
for full-time employment.
🏖 Holiday Pay
8%
💰 Year-End Bonus
8.3%
Other employment benefits
Contract Duration
This needs to remain precise.
1 year
Following a successful first-year assessment, Utrecht University intends to extend the appointment so that the total PhD period reaches four years.
Therefore TripDoc should not describe the initial contract as an unconditional four-year contract.
Required Application Documents
Recommendation letters are requested only from candidates shortlisted for interview.
International Degree Holders
Candidates selected for the position who hold a non-Dutch Master's degree will be requested to provide:
Visa / Work Permit
✅ International applicants requiring immigration permission are supported.
Utrecht University explicitly states that international candidates needing a Dutch visa/work permit require at least four months of processing after selection and acceptance.
The process will be arranged with assistance from Utrecht University's International Service Desk (ISD).
Housing
Housing is not provided or guaranteed.
Utrecht states that finding suitable accommodation in or around Utrecht is the candidate's responsibility, although its International Service Desk may provide advice. The university also warns applicants that the local housing market is tight.
How to Apply
First-round interviews are scheduled for the last week of September 2026.
Important Warning
Do not pay an agent to apply for this position.
TripDoc should direct applicants exclusively to Utrecht University's official vacancy/application interface.
This is a competitive recruitment process. Meeting the basic requirements does not guarantee selection, employment or a Dutch visa/work permit.
