The Faculty of Spatial Sciences at the University of Groningen (RUG) is looking for PhD Scholarship candidates. We offer 6 fully-funded PhD Scholarships at the Faculty of Spatial Sciences starting 1 September 2020.

The PhD positions are PhD Scholarships. PhD Scholarships provide candidates with a unique opportunity to propose one’s own interdisciplinary research project. The proposed PhD research topic must both fit within, and explicitly contribute to, the Faculty Research Programme tWIST - towards Wellbeing, Innovation and Spatial Transformation.

In order to apply for the fully-funded PhD scholarship we are looking for a candidate with:
- a (Research) Master degree in Cultural or Economic Geography, Real Estate, Planning, Demography, or a related social-science discipline (obtained before Sept 1, 2020)
- excellent study results
- good writing skills and fluency in English; preferably experience in academic writing
- interdisciplinary affinity with social sciences and a keen interest in topics related to the Faculty's research program
- strong conceptual thinking with the desire and capacity to relate theoretical topics to practical challenges and solutions
- strong motivation, good communicative skills, proactive and independent work attitude
- strong planning skills, good in organizing own work and related activities
- a great drive and enthusiasm.

Fixed-term contract: 48 months.

We offer PhD scholarships for excellent students for a period 4 years. We offer coaching to facilitate a smooth process and a timely completion of your PhD thesis. You will participate in the Faculty’s FSS training program for PhD students as part of your personal training and supervision plan. Part of the training consists of following the Career Perspectives curriculum, which aims to prepare you for your (academic or non-academic) career after your PhD trajectory.

The PhD Scholarship Programme is part of the national PhD Scholarship Programme issued by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW). PhD scholarships amount to a scholarship (stipend) of € 2,181 per month (gross) from the University of Groningen for a period of four years.
For the specific terms and conditions of the PhD Scholarship Programme, see: https://www.rug.nl/education/phd-programmes/phd-scholarship-programme/conditions-application/

Please note that PhD scholarship positions are different from employed PhD-positions, that also exist in The Netherlands. In general, the conditions between the two types of PhD positions differ, for example in the possibility to choose one’s own research subject, the possibility to teach, and payment and certain social benefits.

For more information about the different conditions per PhD position, please contact the coordinator of the Graduate School: dr. Sanne Ponsioen (s.n.ponsioen@rug.nl).

Faculty of Spatial Sciences

The Faculty of Spatial Sciences consists of approximately 100 members of staff, 100 PhD students and around 1000 undergraduate students. We focus on high quality teaching and research in the fields of social and economic geography, demography, and spatial planning. It is our mission to produce research, which is world-leading, distinctive, and policy-relevant. With two Bachelor programmes, eight Master programmes, and a Research Master we provide a wide range of courses within the fields of geography and spatial sciences.