Becoming a PhD candidate
You have several options for pursuing a PhD at the Eindhoven University of Technology. Namely, you can become a PhD candidate with or without employment. Most PhD candidates are employed by TU/e. However, you can also become a PhD candidate by seeking funding yourself. Some PhD candidates work part-time on their PhD. Read on for more information about the admission requirements, the different options to get a PhD, and the support for international candidates.
What requirements do I have to meet?
The most important admission criteria are your scientific qualities: you must be familiar with the theory and methodology of your field of study. In addition, an education requirement applies. You must have a Dutch master's degree (old-style doctoral degree) or a foreign equivalent. Not every foreign preparatory and/or master's program automatically gives you access to a Dutch PhD track. This will be assessed per candidate. Since English is the working language in science, we expect a C1 level from our PhD candidates. Please read the job description(s) carefully for any additional requirements.
Employed by TU/e
Most PhD candidates join the university to complete a PhD program. In that case, you start by applying for an announced and specific PhD position. If you are accepted, you will have the status of an employee during your training. As a PhD candidate, you are a valued member of TU/e’s staff. You will receive a salary and excellent employee benefits. PhD candidates employed by the university spend a minimum of 10% of their time on teaching tasks.
A full-time PhD typically lasts four years. Sometimes you can apply for a PhD-TA (Teaching Assistant) position. In other cases, you may be able to change your contract to a PhD-TA track later. Naturally, in consultation with your supervisor and only if the department can facilitate this. A PhD-TA track takes five years. You can spread this extra year, which is entirely devoted to teaching, over the entire contract period.
Open PhD positions
Are you interested and do you meet the requirements? If so, we look forward to your application!
Follow the link below to discover all available PhD positions, and filter by department for example. You can also find more information about the application process on our working-at website.
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PhD Position: Novel coatings for programmable photonics
PhD-studentElectrical EngineeringThe advanced photonic solutions lab (APSL) at the Electro-Optics Communication (ECO) group at Eindhoven University of Technology is recruiting for a PhD position to research novel coatings for programmable photonics in collaboration with the chemical engineering department. The electro-optical…
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PhD Position: Advanced Packaging solutions
PhD-studentElectrical EngineeringThe advanced photonic solutions lab (APSL) at the Electro-Optics Communication (ECO) group at Eindhoven University of Technology is recruiting for a PhD position to research advanced photonic packaging solutions based on silicon interposers. The electro-optical communications (ECO) group in the…
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PhD student on the development of porous electrodes for water electrolyzers
PhD-studentChemical Engineering and Chemistry -
PhD on sub-THz Reverberation Chambers: Measurements Beyond 300 GHz (IPCEI-6G)
PhD-studentElectrical EngineeringThe IPCEI 6G program As part of Europe investment in semiconductor technology, a large Dutch IPCEI program for the development and production of Radio Frequency (RF) Front end products for 6G communication systems has been granted, where NXP is the overall coordinator. 5G systems are still in an…
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PhD Distributed Observer Design for Complex Systems
PhD-studentMechanical EngineeringAre you passionate about design of decision-making processes for the next generation of smart, autonomous systems for industry and society. In this project, you will contribute to this topic by developing state-of-the-art design and optimization methodologies for state estimation (virtual sensing)…
Without an employment contract
You can also become a PhD candidate without an employment contract at TU/e. In that case, you might have another agreement with TU/e or a third party to follow a PhD program. For example, you could have an employer who supports you financially. Or you receive a scholarship from another organization. You also have the option of not entering into a collaboration with a third party. However, you can sometimes receive material and/or financial support in that case.
If you do a PhD alongside other work, this usually extends your PhD track. Without an employment contract, you have no teaching obligations at TU/e.
Supervisor
Without an employment contract, you are responsible for finding a supervisor yourself. The first step is then to find a professor who is willing to advise you on your project. Depending on the type of research, TU/e may also appoint a supervisor.
Tuition fee
PhD candidates that are not hired by TU/e are required to pay an annual tuition fee. This fee covers educational and operational costs.
| Type of PhD not on TU/e payroll (NOP) | Annual tuition fee | Annual tuition fee using expensive technology |
|---|---|---|
| CSC scholarships | Not applicable | Not applicable; use of expensive technology only after approval |
| Scholarships | € 15.000 | € 35.000 |
| Externally financed | € 15.000 | € 35.000 |
| Externals | € 5.000 | € 25.000 |
Note that the managing director of the department may grant a (partial) waiver of the tuition fee. Possible reasons to grant a waiver can be:
- not working fulltime on the PhD track
- having a small scholarship
- not using the campus facilities or labs
Support for internationals
Moving to another country, with its different habits, rules, and procedures, can be a big step. TU/e has a special support team to help you with your transfer. They can assist you with housing, residence and labor permits, and other practical matters. Additionally, TU/e promotes a healthy work-life balance and has many facilities to help you feel right at home.