Graduate School of Science
How to decide on a PhD position
If you are interested in a PhD position at our faculty, you start with finding a supervisor. It depends on the type of positions you will have, how you can find this person.
There are different types of PhD postions
If you choose to follow a PhD track at our science faculty, there are four possibilities.
A. PhD candidate with employee status
This type of PhD candidate is employed at and receives salary from Leiden University. They intend to have the PhD defence at Leiden University.
B. Scholarship PhD candidate
The PhD candidate works at Leiden University but does not receive salary from Leiden University. The PhD position is financed by a scholarship, such as CSC (China) or LPDP (Indonesia). They intend to have the PhD defence at Leiden University.
C. Externally financed PhD candidate
The PhD candidate does not work at and does not receive salary from Leiden University. They have an affiliation elsewhere, such as CWI, NKI, Naturalis or hospitals. Intends to have the PhD defence at Leiden University.
D. External PhD candidate (self-funded)
An external PhD candidate does not receive salary from Leiden University and provides for their own funding (for instance from a job, savings, or a loan). They intend to have the PhD defence at Leiden University.
How to find a supervisor
If you wish to follow a PhD track at the Faculty of Science, the first step is to find a supervisor. You must find a professor or senior staff member at the Faculty of Science, who confirms that she/he is willing to accept you as a PhD candidate before any further steps can be taken to formally apply.
For paid positions (a PhD candidate with employee status/type A), you can look through vacancies advertised by the University. You may only apply for a paid position in response to these vacancies.
If you are interested in pursuing a degree as a scholarship PhD candidate (type B), externally financed candidate (type C) or external PhD candidate (self-funded/type C), and you have a Master’s degree and are proficient in English, you may contact a professor or senior staff member directly to express your interest and ask for opportunities. Their contact details can be found on the website of their research institute (see content blocks on the right).