phd in netherlands salary

PhD, Postdoc, and Professor Salaries in the Netherlands

Salaries at Dutch universities are set at the national level and listed in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). An academic’s place on the salary scale   is determined by their position, qualifications, and experience. The salaries listed in this article are pre-tax. Dutch salaries are supplemented by an 8% holiday allowance (paid in May or June) and an 8.3% end-of-year allowance (paid in December). Income tax is high—either 36.5% or 52%—however foreign academics are often eligible for the 30% scheme which allows them to receive the first 30% of their salary tax-free.

Promovendus

A PhD student in the Netherlands is called a promovendus . A Dutch PhD usually takes four years to complete. As PhD candidates are seen as employees rather than students and usually hold the position of Assistant-in-Opleiding (AiO) or Onderzoeker-in-Opleiding (OiO).

A PhD student earns €2,448 to €3,128 per month.

After earning their PhD, many researchers go on to a postdoc often at another university or in another country. A postdoc is a continuation of the researcher’s training that allows them to further specialize in a particular field and learn new skills and techniques. A Dutch postdoc lasts two years.

The salary range for a postdoc is €3,821 to €5,230 per month ( scale 11 ).

Universitair docent

This position is equivalent to the rank of assistant professor and is the first permanent academic position. The initial contract is often for four years at which point the academic is evaluated and their position may become permanent. If the position becomes permanent, it is not uncommon to stay in this position until retirement.

Tenure-track universitair docent positions were initially introduced due to many Dutch academic jobs being temporary and job security being perceived very low. A more experienced candidate with the potential to become a universitair hoofddocent can become a tenure-track universitair docent . After four to six years their performance is evaluated and those who have published and received major grants are promoted to universitair hoofddocent .

The salary scales for a universitair docent ranges from €3,821 to €5,943 per month ( scale 11 and 12 ) depending on qualifications and experience level.

Universitair hoofddocent

A universitair hoofddocent is equivalent in rank to an associate professor. Traditionally to become a universitair hoofddocen t, a universitair docent had to apply for a vacant position. However it is now possible to be promoted to this position based on performance. This is a permanent position and it is not uncommon to remain a universitair hoofddocent until retirement.

The salary scales for a universitair hoofddocent ranges from €5,294 to €7,097 per month ( scale 13 and 14 ) depending on qualifications and experience level.

A hoogleraar is equivalent to a full professor and is at the top of the Dutch professorial hierarchy. They have substantial research accomplishments that have established them as an international or national leader in their field. The position is similar to that of a department chair in that a hoogleraar supervises all the other professors in their department or group. They are also the only ones who can supervise PhD dissertations. Unlike the American tenure system, there is no automatic promotion to hoogleraar . To become one, a universitair hoofddocent has to apply for a vacant position.

The salary scales for a hoogleraar ranges from €5,864 to €10,309 per month ( scale H2 and H1 ) depending on qualifications and experience level.  

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What's the salary of a PhD student in the Netherlands?

I looked up the numbers for PhD salaries in the Netherlands and wrote some quick code in R to visualise the development of the salary over the 4 years.

- Numbers updated in 2022 -

Worth to note that the actual amount of money a PhD gets per year is even higher, because you get nearly two months worth of salary in the form of two bonuses, every year! No wonder many PhD students opt to buy a house rather than renting.

Maximilian JLJ Fürst

Assistant professor of computational protein design.

I research computational protein design and high-throughput protein engineering.

• Applications for PhD positions now live on university website

Search term

Paid phd positions.

In most countries, a doctoral candidate is considered a student who studies. But in the Netherlands, PhD candidates are traditionally researchers employed by a university to complete a dissertation or thesis. These job vacancies are posted online, and you will need to apply as if you would for any other job. Since these jobs allow you to complete your PhD degree while earning a salary and without paying tuition fees, they are highly competitive. Therefore, you should prepare your application carefully. Once you are hired, your research will be conducted on the topic specified in the vacancy and in conjunction with a faculty, research institute or research school. Most candidates complete their PhD within four years. 

Many graduates find PhD positions through:

• Academic Transfer website  
• research-intensive master’s programmes
• contacting individual faculties directly

Please note that you must either be eligible for employment in the Netherlands or obtain a knowledge worker visa to qualify for a paid PhD position. To learn more about Dutch research and higher education, you can read a Beginner's Guide to Dutch Academia .

Practical matters

In the support section, you can find out more about practical matters, such as:

• accommodation
• visas & work permits
• professional development
• living in Maastricht

  Visit support for PhDs

Working climate according to our PhDs

Maastricht University is a young and dynamic university, and we pride ourselves on our teamwork and collegiality. As a PhD candidate, you will be treated as a colleague, not a student. You will be an integral member of our vibrant academic community. 

Check out the video to hear what our PhDs say about working at Maastricht University.

Overview of PhD vacancies

Below is an overview of some of the PhD vacancies on the Academic Transfer website. Please note that this may not be a full list of the available vacancies. Also, vacancies for English-speaking candidates are sometimes placed on the Dutch section of Academic Transfer , so it is best to check the listings in both languages.  

More vacancies

  View all of Maastricht University's vacancies on Academic Transfer .

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PhD at TU/e

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Do you have a master's degree, and do you aspire to a career in scientific research? Then consider a PhD position at TU/e. For four years, you will conduct (paid) in-depth research within a specific field of research. At a top international university known for its strong ties with industry, right in the middle of Brainport (the smartest region in the world).

What does a PhD at TU/e entail?

In four years, you will become an excellent, independent researcher. A professor will assist you in conducting in-depth, groundbreaking research in the field of your choice. You will work together with other research groups, industrial partners, and research institutions, depending on the subject of your research. After successfully defending your dissertation, you will be awarded the PhD title.

A PhD program offers you a great deal of freedom to conduct research into socially relevant topics. You can develop your ideas in an environment with state-of-the-art research facilities. 

• Explore our research groups

Why become a PhD candidate at TU/e?

If you choose to pursue a PhD at TU/e, you will be given the space and support to excel in your field. In addition, our small-scale and personal approach makes it easy to communicate and collaborate with other departments and research groups. Also, PhD candidates are valued employees at our university. Most have an employment contract and therefore receive a salary during their training.

Meet some of our PhD candidates

Open culture.

The Netherlands has an open, friendly culture and a population that speaks English well. At TU/e you will find students from more than 80 different countries, who come together in one of the many communities. We embrace diversity and inclusion, as it adds to our success and pleasure in education and research. TU/e is a university where students and lecturers know each other on a first-name basis and work together on innovative projects with real-life significance.   

State-of-the-art research facilities

To conduct groundbreaking research, to attract outstanding scientific talent, and to train new generations of engineers, we have ultramodern research labs and facilities at our disposal. Some of our labs are unique in the Netherlands, or even in the world.

PROOF program

As a PhD candidate, you will plunge into an intensive learning experience over a period of four (or five) years. Learning takes place all the time, both consciously and subconsciously: on the job, when interacting with others, while (informally) researching, and during courses and workshops. To support and facilitate the development of your competences, TU/e offers a dedicated training program for PhD candidates.

Is a PhD track right for me?

To successfully pursue a PhD, you must be able to work and write independently. In addition, you have an above-average interest in technology, are a go-getter, and can think analytically. Of course, you enjoy doing research and finding out the underlying cause of things. Finally, you need to have a suitable prior education. 

• More information about requirements

Or an EngD (Engineering Doctorate)?

Do you want to continue your education, but not spend four years doing in-depth research? In that case an EngD program might be something for you: a two-year, paid, full-time program to become a technological designer. You will expand your technological knowledge, gain practical experience with the latest methods, and work on your professional skills. The main difference between an EngD program and a PhD track is its focus. A PhD is aimed at establishing yourself as an independent researcher. On the other hand, an EngD prepares you for a high-level position in industry. 

• More information about EngD

CHAT WITH OUR STUDENTS

They are happy to answer your questions and share their experiences!

Events and information for PhD's

Watch the program video where a PhD candidate and an EngD trainee will tell you more about their experiences at TU/e. Ask your question(s) directly to one of our PhD students. Or visit our Graduate School Event on campus!

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Program videos

Want to know more about our bachelors, masters, EngD or PhD programs? Watch one of our program videos presented by our staff and students.

Master's Open Day

Visit the TU/e during the open day of our Graduate School

Fact & Figures PhD candidates

1650 phd candidates.

About 1650 people are working as a PhD candidate at TU/e.

PhD Defenses

Every year about 225 PhD’s defenses take place.

Male Female Ratio

About 33% of the PhD candidates are women, 67% are men.

International environment

About 60% of our PhD candidates have an international background. The other 40% have Dutch nationality. English is our working language.

Average duration

On average, the duration of the PhD trajectory at TU/e is one of the shortest in the Netherlands.

Satisfaction

PhD candidates assess their PhD trajectory on average with a 7.5 (on a scale of 1-10).

PhD Salary Netherlands: After-Tax Income Guide

• PhD Salary Netherlands: After-Tax Income…

The Intriguing World of PhD Salaries in the Netherlands After Tax

Have you ever wondered what the salary of a PhD holder in the Netherlands looks like after tax deductions? If you`re as curious as I am, then you`ll find this article to be an enlightening exploration of the financial landscape for doctoral researchers in the Netherlands.

Understanding PhD Salaries in the Netherlands

Before we delve into the after-tax figures, let`s first take a look at the average gross salary for PhD researchers in the Netherlands. According recent report Dutch Network Women Professors (LNVH), average gross salary full-time PhD researcher Netherlands is €2,261 per month. This, of course, can vary depending on factors such as the university, field of study, and years of experience.

Calculating After-Tax Income

Now, let`s crunch some numbers to determine the net income after tax deductions. The Netherlands has a progressive tax system, which means that higher incomes are taxed at a higher rate. As of 2021, the income tax rates for individuals in the Netherlands are as follows:

Using these tax rates, we can calculate the after-tax income for a PhD researcher in the Netherlands. Let`s take average gross salary €2,261 per month as example:

So after tax deductions, net monthly income PhD researcher Netherlands would be approximately €1,582.90. This is an important consideration for those planning to pursue a PhD in the Netherlands, as it provides a realistic picture of the take-home pay.

Comparing PhD Salaries Across Europe

It`s also worthwhile to compare the after-tax income of PhD researchers in the Netherlands with their counterparts in other European countries. According study Eurodoc, average net income PhD researchers Netherlands is higher than countries Germany and France, where average net income ranges from €1,200 to €1,400 per month.

Reflections on PhD Salaries in the Netherlands

As someone who is deeply passionate about academia and research, I find the topic of PhD salaries in the Netherlands to be both fascinating and important. It`s clear that the after-tax income of PhD researchers can vary significantly depending on the country, and this information can be invaluable for individuals considering a doctoral program abroad.

The after-tax salary for PhD researchers in the Netherlands offers a relatively competitive compensation package compared to other European countries. However, it`s crucial for prospective PhD candidates to consider the cost of living and other financial factors when making decisions about their academic and professional pursuits.

PhD Salary Netherlands After Tax: 10 Popular Legal Questions & Answers

Phd salary in the netherlands: legal contract.

This contract is entered into on this [date] day of [month, year], between [Employer name], having its principal place of business at [address], hereinafter referred to as « Employer », and [Employee name], residing at [address], hereinafter referred to as « Employee. »

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Salary scale and periodic increase

The Leiden University salaries are determined at national level and listed in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). You are assigned to a salary scale on the basis of your job profile and level. If you perform well, your salary will be increased to the next amount in the salary scale, until it reaches the salary scale maximum. Your employment contract specifies in which month the periodic increase takes place.

You may fail to receive a periodic increase if your performance is unsatisfactory ( Find it in the CAO ).

Salary scales

Here you will find the salary scales.

Are you younger than 22 years old? Check your salary scales (Dutch only) .

Salary scale PhD students

PhD students have their own salary scale: P. This scale consists of 4 salary grades: 0 to 3. At the start of your contract, you will be assigned to grade P0. After 12 months, you will automatically move to P1. This initial salary increase is exceptional in that it is not linked to a performance assessment. In the following years, your periodic salary increase will be based on performance. This is scale P per 01-07-2022:

Preliminary salary scales

You will be assigned to a preliminary salary scale if at the start of your new position you are not yet able to fully exercise your duties. The preliminary scale is the scale immediately below your position’s scale. Scale 10 forms an exception to this rule, as it has scale 8 as its preliminary scale. You can be assigned to a preliminary salary scale for a period of a maximum of two years. As soon as it becomes apparent from your assessment that you are able to fully exercise your position, you will be assigned to the right scale for your position. If after eighteen months you are still unable to fully exercise your position, we will invite you for an interview to discuss you career perspectives, within the University or elsewhere.

Salary scale for employees with occupational limitations

Employees with occupational limitations who are employed by the University in the context of the Participation Act ( Participatiewet ) have their own salary scale. If your labour productivity has increased substantially after one year, your salary will be increased to the next amount in the salary scale.

For employees of 21 years and older, the table below (100-120% Wet Minimumloon) applies:

For employees of 21 years and younger, the minimum youth wage applies  (Dutch only).

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Master, PhD and Postdoc Scholarships

PhD positions and scholarships in Netherlands

Welcome to the hub of fully funded PhD positions in the Netherlands, meticulously curated by our dedicated Fastepo team. Here, we consistently update the latest opportunities across various Dutch universities, encompassing a wide array of scientific and humanities fields. Your academic aspirations are our priority, and we are committed to assisting you in every step of your journey.

Open PhD positions or scholarships at top Dutch universities with monthly salaries:

• Fully funded PhD Positions at Delft University of Technology
• Funded PhD Positions at the University of Amsterdam
• Fully Funded PhD at Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Fully funded PhD Positions at the University of Twente
• Doctoral fully funded Positions at the Eindhoven University
• Fully Funded PhD Positions and PhD Scholarships at University of Groningen
• Fully Funded PhD Positions at Maastricht University
• Fully Funded PhD at Leiden University
• Fully Funded PhD at Tilburg University
• Fully Funded PhD at Radboud University
• Fully Funded PhD Positions at Utrecht University
• Fully Funded PhD Positions at Wageningen University

PhD in the Netherlands

Nestled in western Europe, the Netherlands, though small in size, boasts an illustrious reputation for its world-renowned research institutions and universities. Notably, the University of Amsterdam, Delft University of Technology, and Leiden University consistently secure top positions in global university rankings, such as THE-QS World University Rankings.

What sets the Netherlands apart is its proficiency in the English language, a distinguishing feature among non-native English-speaking nations. This unique characteristic is exemplified by the country’s native English-speaking population. Consequently, for those seeking international education experiences, pursuing a PhD program in the Netherlands emerges as a compelling choice.

The Netherlands has firmly established itself as a premier destination for international students, courtesy of its prestigious universities and a wealth of academic opportunities. In the realm of higher education, the Netherlands stands as a beacon for those eager to broaden their horizons through quality learning experiences.

In the Netherlands, PhD students are hired through a fixed-term contract, and so they receive a monthly salary ( salary of PhD students and Postdoc in the Netherlands ).

Would you like to know the salary amount of PhD and postdoc positions in Europe? 

• PhD Salary in Denmark
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You can find all the available full-funded PhD positions in different countries here.

• Germany – Fully Funded PhD
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• Sweden – Fully Funded PhD
• Finland – Fully Funded PhD
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• Iceland -Fully Funded PhD

Fastepo is an Academic Vacancy Website with a decade of experience. There are various sections such as fully-funded PhD positions , academic vacancies (postdocs) , and various scholarships . Follow us on social media and on our YouTube channel to learn about our latest activities.

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‘Everything’s just … on hold’: the Netherlands’ next-level housing crisis

Amsterdammers find themselves at the nadir of a Europe-wide housing shortage. But some bold initiatives offer hope

• Fix Europe’s housing crisis or risk fuelling the far-right, UN expert warns
• Higher costs and cramped conditions: the impact of Europe’s housing crisis

I t started maybe 10 years ago, says Tamara Kuschel. Since the 1970s, the charity she works for in Amsterdam, De Regenboog, has run day shelters for homeless people – typically, people with serious addiction and mental health issues.

Then, in about 2015, a new kind of client began to appear. “They didn’t have the usual problems of homeless people,” Kuschel says. “They had jobs, friends. In every respect, their lives were very much together. But they couldn’t afford a home.”

Some are not young, she says. The oldest, last year, was 72. They have, typically, recently been involved in a relationship break-up, had a small business fail or been unable to afford a rent rise.. “We can help some,” she says. “But we’re just a sticking plaster, really.”

In a pan-European housing crisis, the Netherlands’ is next level. According to independent analysis , the average Dutch home now costs €452,000 – more than 10 times the modal, or most common, Dutch salary of €44,000.

That means you need a salary of more than twice that to buy one. Nationwide, house prices have doubled in the past decade; in more sought-after neighbourhoods they have surged 130%. A new-build home costs 16 times an average salary .

The rental market is equally dysfunctional. Rents in the private sector – about 15% of the country’s total housing stock – have soared. A single room in a shared house in Amsterdam is €950 a month; a one-bed flat €1,500 or more; a three-bedder €3,500.

Competition among those who can afford such sums – such as multinational expats – is so fierce that many pay a monthly fee to an online service that trawls property websites, sending text alerts seconds after suitable ads appear.

Meanwhile, the waiting list in the social housing sector, which is roughly double the size of the private, averages about seven years nationally – but in the bigger Dutch cities, particularly in Amsterdam, it can stretch to as long as 18 or 19.

For young people the task of finding – and keeping – a home can be all-consuming. A 28-year-old PhD student, who asked not be identified, said that in her first three years in the capital she had moved seven or eight times.

“The shortage is so acute, and people are so desperate,” she said. “Tenants’ rights are supposed to be strong, but in practice … I’ve had landlords come in while I was out, take pictures. I’ve been bullied to get me to move out, physically threatened.”

She knew no one under 30 living on their own, she said; many were still moving twice a year. She was now in a shared apartment, and would like to live with her partner – but neither dared move out because they might not find a place.

“That’s the worst,” she said. “All these next steps we’re supposed to be taking at our age, as young professionals, they’re just not possible. Everything’s just … on hold. Relationships are being determined by the housing market, and that’s obscene.”

Others are luckier. In a peaceful neighbourhood 30 minutes’ walk from Amsterdam central station, Lukas and Misty are among 96 tenants – half of them young refugees with residence permits – of a so-called Startblok, one of five around the capital.

Some Startblokken are much bigger, housing more than 550 young people in purpose-built “container houses”, some metal, some of wood and sustainable materials, stacked four or five atop each other. Others, like this one, are permanent, brick-built residences.

For a monthly rent averaging €400-500 after housing benefit, every tenant – who must be aged between 18 and 27 when they move in – is entitled to their own 20-25 sq metre studio, with its own kitchenette and bathroom, for up to five years.

There is bike storage, a bright communal lounge with table football, a laundry room and a small garden with a greenhouse. When one studio became free earlier this year, said project manager Jesse van Geldorp, the Startblok received about 800 applications.

“It’s about allowing young people to stand on their own feet, establish a life, build a network in a fundamentally broken housing market,” said Karin Verdooren, director of Lieven de Key, the housing foundation that launched the Startblok concept.

Lukas, a German tutor, moved in last November. He greatly appreciates paying half – or even less – the rent that many of his friends on the outside have to find, and loves the community spirit. Misty, 22 and nearing the end of her undergraduate degree, agrees.

“You’re not alone,” she said. “You learn so much. The multicultural side is brilliant; I’ve made friends from Syria, Eritrea … I’m really thankful. And knowing that I won’t need to look for a home at the same time as I’m looking for a job is such a big relief.”

But the Startblokken – like the multiple temporary accommodation programmes for “economically homeless” people in Amsterdam run by Kuschel’s De Regenboog – are drops in the ocean of the vastness of the Netherlands’ housing crisis.

Quite how the country got here is a subject of complex and heated debate. The Netherlands was short of an estimated 390,000 homes last year; it is already falling behind on a pledge to build nearly 1m – two-thirds of them affordable – by 2030.

Some factors, such as historically low interest rates and more – often smaller – households, are beyond government control. But experts say successive administrations have consistently stimulated demand while failing to boost supply.

“The key features of the housing crisis – rising prices, increasing inequality, shortages of affordable homes and foreign investors infiltrating the market – are the result of decades of dubious housing policies,” said Gregory Fuller of Groningen University.

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In the early 2010s, a pro-market Dutch government in effect abolished the housing and planning ministry and freed up sales of housing corporation stock. Partly as a result, about 25% of homes in the country’s four big cities are owned by investors.

Further driving up prices are measures such as mortgage tax relief for buyers, and others - meant to aid young buyers - that have instead ended up helping existing owners invest in more property. At the same time, subsidies for housebuilding all but dried up.

In the rental market, the crippling lack of homes and large numbers of tenants who – for want of an affordable alternative – remain in social housing despite earning more than the maximum allowed have contributed to sky-high private rents.

The European Commission’s independent social policy advisory group has said the Netherlands is in the grip of a “severe housing crisis”, with a “critical shortage of affordable housing resulting in social exclusion and increasing economic inequality”.

Politicians including Geert Wilders, whose far-right Freedom party (PVV) finished a shock first in November’s general election , have blamed asylum seekers, foreign students and environmental laws.

But in a damning report published in February, the UN special rapporteur on adequate housing said, after a two-week visit, that Dutch government policy choices were to blame for the country’s “acute housing crisis,” not asylum seekers or migrant workers.

“An alternative narrative has emerged in the Netherlands that an ‘influx of foreigners’ is responsible,” Balakrishnan Rajagopal said. The crisis – of both affordability and availability – had, he added, been “two or more decades” in the making.

Among multiple other factors, the rapporteur blamed a lack of regulation of social housing providers, an absence of rent caps in the private sector and “insufficient attention to the role of speculation and large investors in the real estate market”.

Some of the more recent government moves aimed at easing the crisis may even have had the opposite effect. Several cities have implemented a 2022 law banning buyers of homes below a certain value – in Amsterdam, €530,000 – from letting them out.

According to at least one academic study , however, the measure, intended to boost first-time buyers, benefited middle-income buyers – but also hit lower-income tenants by pushing rents up by 4% as the number of rental properties fell.

Similarly, government efforts to extend rent controls, restricting more homes to social tenants earning less than €44,000 a year and capping their rents at €800, have simply prompted more landlords to sell – thus driving up remaining private-sector rents.

Whatever the causes, for those caught up in it the crisis it is tough. Luna, a primary school teacher, has been staying in a friend’s flat while their flatmate was away, but recently found a more permanent room after a six-month search.

“It’s just very … frustrating,” she said. “To have been born here, signed up for social housing since I was 18, doing a socially useful job with a huge shortage – and still paying a rent I can only just afford, for a room in a shared flat, aged 33.”

More than 1,200 people applied to De Regenboog last year, Kuschel said. It helped 535, finding them homes in apartment blocks awaiting renovation, houses families had recently inherited but do not yet want to sell, empty schools, even spare rooms.

One was Iris, 47, an artist and night-club worker who last year had to move out of the Amsterdam flat she had lived in for several years because developers had bought the whole building. At around the same time, she split up with her partner.

“I stayed with friends, I couch-surfed, but it was impossible,” she said. “Now I’m sharing, in a place that won’t be developed for a year. I’m safe for 12 months. I think this is what happens when people see properties as investments, not as homes.”

Kuschel, though, said none of it was a solution. “We are just trying to prevent people getting into the negative spiral that comes with not having a secure home,” she said. “We can’t provide a permanent one. After a year, they’re on their own again.”

It was hard to exaggerate the importance of a secure home, she said: “Without it, people stop building families, building futures, putting down roots, developing, flourishing. They lose all perspective. Their lives are frozen. That’s the tragedy.”

• Netherlands
• Europe's housing crisis
• Homelessness

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