About the opportunity
The Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University is offering a fully funded PhD position to research global talent mobility and Europe’s strategic autonomy. The project examines how Europe’s strategic innovation ambitions depend on the mobility of global talent, specifically focusing on STEM PhD recipients as key actors in science- and technology-based innovation. By bridging economic geography and innovation studies, the candidate will use large-scale longitudinal data, publication and patent data, and mixed-method approaches to understand how doctoral training and international mobility shape knowledge creation and technological value.
Salary and benefits
- Gross monthly salary between €3,204 and €4,051 for full-time employment (salary scale P under CAO NU).
- 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus.
- Pension scheme.
- Partially paid parental leave.
- Flexible terms of employment based on theO Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).
- Access to professional development arrangements, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities.
- Ability to tailor employment conditions through the Terms of Employment Options Model.
Who can apply?
- Strong interest in innovation, human capital, and international mobility.
- Background in economic geography, economics, sociology, innovation studies, development studies, or related social science fields.
- Strong motivation for academic research and curiosity about global talent and innovation systems.
- Quantitative analytical skills, including experience with data analysis and statistics.
- Interest in combining multiple data sources (e.g., administrative data, patents, publications, surveys, or online data).
- Strong interest in interdisciplinary approaches bridging geography and innovation studies.
- Excellent writing skills, demonstrated through a writing sample.
- Ability to work independently and communicate professionally in an international research environment.
- Proficiency in spoken and written English (C1 level).
- Motivation to develop teaching skills.
- Experience with web scraping and working with large-scale datasets is considered an advantage.
Required documents
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Writing sample (preferably Master's thesis or comparable document)
- Names and contact details of two referees
- Bachelor's and Master's diplomas and grade lists in English (required for international non-Dutch diploma holders if selected)
When to apply
- Application deadline: 14 September 2026.
- First round of interviews: last week of September 2026.
How to apply
- Submit the application via the application button on the official vacancy page.
- Attach a motivation letter describing qualifications and motivation in relation to the position.
- Attach a Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- Attach a writing sample demonstrating academic skills (preferably a Master's thesis or comparable document).
- Provide the names and contact details of two referees.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Researchers with a background in economic geography, innovation studies, or sociology.
- Candidates with strong quantitative skills and experience handling large-scale longitudinal datasets.
- Individuals motivated to pursue an interdisciplinary PhD in an international academic environment.
What should you think carefully about?
- The position requires on-site work at Utrecht University, necessitating relocation to the Netherlands.
- Applicants must be prepared to demonstrate academic writing proficiency through a sample, such as a Master's thesis.
- The role involves both research and the development of teaching skills, requiring a balance of academic responsibilities.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This PhD position is a premier opportunity for an aspiring academic to contribute to high-level research on global talent mobility. It offers a stable, fully funded path for those aiming to build a career in innovation studies or economic geography within the European university system.
Our take
Highly recommended for research-oriented candidates with a strong quantitative background; less suitable for those not interested in an academic or teaching-focused career path.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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