Every year about 30 newcomers start their career as a PhD student within the Casimir Research School. Over 60% of them have a non-Dutch nationality.

Candidates can apply to open positions advertised by individual researchers when grant-money becomes available. Also there are positions available in case a suitable MSc student comes by. 

Candidates interested in PhD research within Casimir are recommended to have a close look at the possibilities for MSc study. Only students with an MSC degree are admitted to the PhD program.

Individual open positions:
The current vacancies are presented under Positions. Applications should be directed towards the supervisor.

Indication of gross PhD-salary (per month as per 1st January 2008):
year 1: € 2000
year 2: € 2330
year 3: € 2441
year 4: € 2558

PhD in the Netherlands 

A PhD position in the Netherlands means that you are doing research and are getting paid a full-time salary. Additionally you do not need to pay a tuition fee.

The normal duration of a PhD position in the Netherlands is four years. Most PhD students will finish their PhD within this timeframe. During your PhD you will be expected to follow some courses.

At least 83% of Dutch people speak sufficient English to hold a conversation with a native English speaker. This makes getting around very easy if you do not speak Dutch. Of course the penetration of English in our research environment is even greater. All seminars and colloquia are given in English, and undergraduate and graduate theses are normally written in English.  So there is no requirement to learn the Dutch language before you come to the Netherlands. Of course you are free to follow a Dutch language course while you are here.

Find out more about the Netherlands

Required Admissions Materials

•     Motivation letter of 1,000 words expressing why you are interested in the project and how carrying out research in this field matches your future scientific/research ambitions

•     A copy of the original certificate providing the official TOEFL or IELTS score (academic version) if you are not exempt from proof of English proficiency.

•     A copy of your original Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

•     If your academic degrees are not in English, French, German or Dutch, please provide a translation into one of the languages mentioned above.

•     A copy of your original transcripts with marks for each year of Bachelor’s and Master’s study

•    A translation of the transcripts into English, French, German or Dutch

•    A copy of your official GRE results (if available).