PhD
What is doing a PhD in the Southeast Netherlands like?
The aim of doing a PhD is to complete a dissertation based on original research. In the Southeast Netherlands this requires a minimum of four years of doing research and writing. PhD research projects and dissertations must of course always be original work, as candidates are required to make an original contribution to the body of knowledge in their field.
The dissertation is made public and parts of it are often used as articles in international journals. In general Dutch dissertations are held in high esteem since they live up to the highest academic standards.
Once the research is complete the supervisor judges whether the dissertation is ready for publication and oral defence. Then a committee of professors is appointed to read and approve the dissertation and to question the candidate at the traditional, centuries old oral defence ceremony.
Finding a PhD position
In the Southeast Netherlands, research is carried out by research universities, research institutes and companies. Only the research universities can award PhD degrees. However, since other research institutes generally work in close collaboration with these universities, they can also provide positions to PhD candidates.
In addition to the standard PhD degree, the university of technology also offer design and technological design programmes in a number of engineering fields. These consist of advanced study and a personal design assignment. Technological design programmes require two years of study to complete and graduates obtain the degree of ‘Professional Doctorate in Engineering (PDEng)’.
In the Southeast Netherlands there are three types of PhD positions. The PhD candidate is employed by the institution, brings funding with him/her, such as a fellowship or grant, or is funded by his/her external employer.
PhD candidates in the Southeast Netherlands are regarded as professional researchers rather than as students. The fact that the majority of the PhD candidates is employed, strengthens their status as professional researcher. PhD researchers are often paid employees. Of the total number of PhD candidates in the Southeast Netherlands, the majority sign an employment contract with the research institute at which they do their PhD-research. There are two ways to find a PhD position: through vacancies or networks.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please visit the careersites of the research universities presented at the right box. Here you can directly apply for the actual vacancies.