Launch Your Scientific Career in a World-Class Research Environment
Are you an ambitious student eager to push the frontiers of molecular and developmental biology? The Hubrecht International PhD Programme (HIPP) invites talented candidates from around the world to apply for a PhD position.
Deadline
15 September 2026
Research fields
- Biological sciences
- Computer science
Job types
PhD
Education level
University graduate
Weekly hours
38 hours per week
Salary indication
€3059—€3881 per month
Location
Uppsalalaan 8, 3584CT, Utrecht
Job description
What You’ll Be Doing
Successful candidates will conduct independent research within one of the institute’s high-profile research groups, while enrolling in a PhD program at a Dutch university (e.g., Utrecht University’s ‘Cancer, Stem Cells, and Developmental Biology’ track).
Their work will contribute to breakthrough discoveries in molecular biology, developmental biology, and emerging interdisciplinary areas such as biophysics, mathematical biology and computational biology.
Requirements
What You Bring
- You must hold, or expect to be awarded, a Master’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, (Applied) Mathematics, Engineering or related fields.
- The Master’s degree should be awarded at the latest before the start of the PhD
- You must have > 6 months’ research experience in biology or a biology-related discipline, including theoretical fields
- Strong interest in molecular or developmental biology, innovation, and technology
- Excellent analytical, empirical, and organizational skills
- A research-driven mindset with the ability to work independently
- Strong communication and collaboration skills in academic settings
- Proficiency in English, both written and spoken
Conditions of employment
Fixed-term contract: 15 months (extension after positive evaluation).
Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 3.059 and the maximum salary is € 3.881 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale P cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.
The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).
For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.
Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.
Employer
Hubrecht Institute
About the Hubrecht Institute
The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute focused on molecular and developmental biology. Because of the dynamic character of the research, the institute has a variable number of research groups, around 20, that do fundamental, multidisciplinary research on healthy and diseased cells, tissues and organisms. The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), situated on Utrecht Science Park. Since 2008, the institute is affiliated with the UMC Utrecht, advancing the translation of research to the clinic. The Hubrecht Institute has a partnership with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). For more information, visit www.hubrecht.eu.
Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.
We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.
Additional information
The selection process will involve the following stages:
Document review (September – October 2026)
All valid applications will be reviewed by at least two members of the HIPP selection committee. Applicants with incomplete applications (including missing reference letters) will be disqualified at this stage.
Online interviews (mid- to late October 2026)
Candidates selected for an online interview will give a formal 10-minute presentation about their previous work, followed by 15 minutes Q&A by the selection panel (HIPP committee plus some recruiting group leaders).
In-person selection visit (in the week of January 25th, 2027)
Candidates selected for the in-person interview will visit the Hubrecht Institute to have 1-on-1 meetings with group leaders and their team members (including current PhD students). Travel, accommodation and costs incurred for obtaining necessary travel documents will be covered by the Hubrecht Institute.
Candidates will also be given a tour of the institute facilities. At the end of the visit, candidates will provide a ranked list of up to three research groups that they would like to join. These can be different to the groups of interest indicated in the initial application.
The visit is part of the selection process. PhD positions will be offered to successful candidates shortly after the visit.
Decision communicated to candidates: Early February 2027.
Working at KNAW
The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) is the guardian and interpreter of science in the Netherlands. More about the KNAW