22 PhD and Postdoc Positions at Utrecht University, Netherlands

Applications are now open for approximately 22 PhD and Postdoc positions (across 21 vacancy listings) at one of the Netherlands’ top-ranked universities. These are fully funded salaried positions in a wide range of academic fields, from environmental sciences and AI to social sciences, biology, and chemistry.

Deadlines vary by position and run from 28 February 2026 to 29 March 2026. All positions are open to international applicants of all nationalities, with no application fee. As official university employees, selected candidates receive a competitive monthly salary, full social security benefits, and excellent research support — no tuition fees apply. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

1. PhD in the economic aspects of water-resilient landscapes

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Utrecht University School of Economics
• Application Deadline: 17 March 2026

Brief Summary This PhD position focuses on researching the economic benefits of nature-based solutions for water-resilient landscapes, utilizing Zeeland’s delta as a living laboratory to explore practical applications and impacts. The project aims to provide insights into how these solutions can enhance economic value in water management, helping to inform policy and sustainable development strategies. Ideal for candidates interested in economics, environmental science, and real-world case studies.

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2. PhD candidate in Equine Intestinal Microbiome and Resistome

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Department Clinical Sciences
• Application Deadline: 29 March 2026

Brief Summary The PhD project involves studying the equine gut microbiome and resistome to improve gastrointestinal health and address antimicrobial resistance in horses. This research will contribute to better veterinary practices by understanding microbial interactions and their implications for animal health, potentially leading to new treatments or preventive measures. It’s a great opportunity for those with a background in veterinary science or microbiology.

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3. PhD: Governance, contestation and justice in the Dutch green hydrogen transition

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Department of Sustainable Development
• Application Deadline: 20 March 2026

Brief Summary This PhD role seeks to strengthen research on transitions and transformations, focusing on governance, contestation, and justice in the Dutch green hydrogen sector. The candidate will explore directionality and equity issues in sustainable energy shifts, analyzing how policies and stakeholder conflicts shape the move toward green energy. This position suits applicants passionate about sustainability, policy analysis, and social justice in environmental contexts.

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4. PhD Candidate in Integrative Exposome and Multi-Omics for Brain–Body Health

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Department Population Health Sciences
• Application Deadline: 23 March 2026

Brief Summary The position involves developing and applying integrative analytical methods to characterize exposure–biology relationships and their effects on brain–body health using multi-omics approaches. This work will advance understanding of how environmental exposures influence health outcomes, potentially identifying new biomarkers or intervention strategies. Perfect for candidates with skills in data analysis, biology, and public health.

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5. Postdoc Position in Animal Behaviour

• Position Type: Postdoc
• Faculty/Department: Department of Biology
• Application Deadline: 11 March 2026

Brief Summary The postdoc will investigate how intergroup conflict influences intragroup prosociality in primates, examining behavioural, neuroendocrine, and genetic mechanisms. This research aims to uncover drivers of social dynamics in animal groups, offering insights into evolution and cooperation that could extend to human behaviors. Suitable for researchers with experience in ethology, neuroscience, or genetics.

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6. PhD positions for highly qualified graduates (8 positions)

• Position Type: PhD (8 positions)
• Faculty/Department: Social Sciences
• Application Deadline: 8 March 2026

Brief Summary This opportunity includes eight PhD positions in the social sciences, offering exciting research avenues for highly qualified graduates. The roles cover various topics within the field, fostering innovative social science research that addresses contemporary societal challenges. Applicants should have strong academic backgrounds and interest in interdisciplinary social issues.

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7. PhD: Land-surface modelling of mountain hydrological processes in the Himalaya

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Department of Physical Geography
• Application Deadline: 6 March 2026

Brief Summary The PhD candidate will model the Himalayan water cycle to support the creation of an advanced global dataset on mountain water resources. This research is crucial for understanding hydrological processes in mountainous regions, aiding in water management and climate adaptation efforts. Ideal for those with expertise in modeling, geography, or environmental sciences.

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8. PhD: Upscaling pore-scale behaviour of clay-interfaces

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Department of Earth Sciences
• Application Deadline: 22 March 2026

Brief Summary This PhD project examines the complexity of clays in groundwater systems, focusing on their role in protecting reservoirs and the built environment through upscaling pore-scale behaviors. The work will contribute to groundwater management and environmental protection, with applications in geotechnical engineering. Suited for candidates in earth sciences or related fields.

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9. PhD Position in Colloidal Assembly for Nanostructured Lithium-Ion Batteries

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Department of Chemistry
• Application Deadline: 25 March 2026

Brief Summary The PhD candidate will join an interdisciplinary team at the Debye Institute to advance nanomaterials for sustainable technology through colloidal assembly techniques. This research targets improvements in lithium-ion battery performance, supporting the shift to green energy storage solutions. Great for applicants with chemistry or materials science backgrounds.

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10. Postdoctoral researcher on applications of AI in sociological research

• Position Type: Postdoc
• Faculty/Department: Social Sciences
• Application Deadline: 2 March 2026

Brief Summary The postdoc will lead sociological research into the AI era, exploring how artificial intelligence impacts social structures and studies. This role emphasizes innovative applications of AI in understanding societal changes, potentially reshaping research methodologies. Ideal for those with AI and sociology expertise.

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11. 2 PhD’s in JUST MATTER – Situated Material Engagement for Climate Justice

• Position Type: PhD (2 positions)
• Faculty/Department: Department of History and Art History
• Application Deadline: 13 March 2026

Brief Summary These two PhD positions are part of the NWO-funded JUST ART consortium, focusing on situated material engagement for climate justice through artistic research. The project explores creative approaches to addressing climate challenges, blending art, history, and environmental themes. Perfect for candidates interested in interdisciplinary arts and sustainability.

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12. PhD position on Delta Climate Center (DCC)-funded project ‘Delta Values’

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: School of Governance
• Application Deadline: 15 March 2026

Brief Summary The PhD candidate will work on the DCC-funded ‘Delta Values’ project, investigating values related to delta regions in the context of climate adaptation. This research supports governance strategies for resilient delta environments, examining social and policy dimensions. Suited for governance or environmental policy enthusiasts.

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13. PhD Position on Parameterized and Fine-Grained Complexity of NP-Hard Problems

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Department of Information and Computing Sciences
• Application Deadline: 15 March 2026

Brief Summary The PhD project involves pushing boundaries in algorithm design by studying NP-hard problems through search space decomposition methods. This work aims to uncover new insights into computational complexity, with potential applications in optimization and AI. Ideal for computer science graduates with a theory focus.

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14. PhD Money in postdivorce families: Resource pooling and transfers to children

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Social Sciences
• Application Deadline: 19 March 2026

Brief Summary This PhD position explores how families redistribute income and wealth after divorce, focusing on resource pooling and transfers to children. The research will provide insights into post-divorce financial dynamics, informing family policy and support systems. Great for sociology or economics researchers.

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15. PhD position on Benthic microalgae and blue carbon burial

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Department of Earth Sciences
• Application Deadline: 1 March 2026

Brief Summary The PhD candidate will investigate carbon burial and cycling in seagrass sediments through benthic microalgae research to address the climate emergency. This project aims to enhance understanding of blue carbon ecosystems, contributing to global carbon sequestration strategies. Suitable for earth or marine science backgrounds.

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16. PhD: The Urban-Ocean Nexus – Towards Developing Inclusive, Resilient Blue Economy

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning
• Application Deadline: 28 February 2026

Brief Summary The PhD candidate will contribute to the “Urban Futures” program, researching the urban-ocean nexus for an inclusive and resilient blue economy. This work focuses on transitions towards sustainable urban and oceanic systems, integrating geography and planning perspectives. Ideal for those in urban studies or environmental planning.

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17. Postdoctoral Researcher in (ocean) biogeochemical modelling

• Position Type: Postdoc
• Faculty/Department: Department of Earth Sciences
• Application Deadline: 1 March 2026

Brief Summary The postdoc will study the impact of ocean acidification on the marine phosphorus cycle through biogeochemical modelling. This research addresses key environmental changes in ocean systems, with implications for marine ecosystems and climate. Suited for modelers in earth or ocean sciences.

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18. PhD Position in Explainable AI for High-Stake Decision Making

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Department of Information and Computing Sciences
• Application Deadline: 9 March 2026

Brief Summary The PhD candidate will shape AI explainability, aiding human decision-making in complex, high-stake scenarios. This research enhances trust and effectiveness in AI applications, focusing on transparency and user comprehension. Perfect for AI or computer science specialists.

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19. PhD Position: Quantifying Indoor and Occupational Microplastic Exposure

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Department Population Health Sciences
• Application Deadline: 28 February 2026

Brief Summary The PhD project involves quantifying microplastics in indoor and occupational air, designing interventions to mitigate exposure. This research addresses health risks from invisible plastic pollution, contributing to public health guidelines. Ideal for environmental health or toxicology candidates.

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20. Postdoc position in the simulation of coastal plastic pollution

• Position Type: Postdoc
• Faculty/Department: Department of Physics
• Application Deadline: 2 March 2026

Brief Summary The postdoc will develop simulation methods for the dispersion of large plastic items in coastal oceans. This work contributes to strategies for managing plastic pollution in marine environments, using physics-based modeling. Suited for physicists or oceanographers.

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21. PhD position in Interdisciplinary Social Science

• Position Type: PhD
• Faculty/Department: Social Sciences
• Application Deadline: 27 February 2026

Brief Summary The PhD candidate will research activism and mental health within the Care2Act project, exploring interconnections between human behavior and social movements. This interdisciplinary work supports preparedness for zoonotic outbreaks, blending psychology and sociology. Great for social science interdisciplinarians.

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22. Postdoc on activism and mental health

• Position Type: Postdoc
• Faculty/Department: Social Sciences
• Application Deadline: 27 February 2026

Brief Summary The postdoc will investigate activism and mental health in the Care2Act project, focusing on behavioral aspects related to zoonotic diseases. This role advances interdisciplinary insights into social and health dynamics, informing outbreak response strategies. Ideal for experienced researchers in psychology or public health.

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