PhD in Global Talent Interdependence and Europe’s Strategic Innovation Ambitions Utrecht University in Netherlands

The Faculty of Geosciences at Utrecht University is offering a fully funded four-year PhD position focused on global talent interdependencies and Europe’s strategic innovation ambitions. This research opportunity is situated within the Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, with close collaboration with the Innovation Studies Section at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. The project aims to investigate how Europe’s innovation strategies rely on the mobility of highly skilled talent, especially STEM PhD recipients, and how geopolitical, migration, and security factors influence knowledge networks and innovation outcomes.

The PhD candidate will bridge economic geography and innovation studies, exploring how doctoral training, international mobility, and institutional contexts affect the creation and translation of knowledge into technological and economic value. The research will utilize large-scale longitudinal data on PhD recipients, complemented by publication and patent data, and enriched with additional sources on individual career paths and preferences. The candidate will develop unique datasets and apply quantitative and mixed-method approaches to address policy-relevant questions at the intersection of innovation, migration, and geography.

Main responsibilities include designing the research project, collecting and analyzing large-scale data (including publication, patent, and career data), writing and publishing research papers, presenting at conferences and seminars, completing a dissertation within four years, and contributing to departmental teaching activities (10%). The candidate will be based in a collaborative and internationally leading research environment, with opportunities for professional development and interdisciplinary learning.

Applicants should have a Master’s degree in economic geography, economics, sociology, innovation studies, development studies, or a related social science field. Required qualities include strong motivation for academic research, quantitative analytical skills, experience with data analysis and statistics, web scraping and large-scale datasets (advantageous), interest in interdisciplinary approaches, excellent writing skills (demonstrated by a writing sample), ability to work independently and communicate professionally in an international environment, proficiency in English (C1 level), and motivation to develop teaching skills. International candidates must provide Bachelor’s and Master’s diplomas and grade lists in English if selected. Visa/work permit processing for non-Dutch candidates requires at least four months, with support from the International Service Desk.

The position offers a one-year contract with extension to four years upon successful assessment, a gross monthly salary between €3,059 and €3,881 (full-time), 8% holiday pay, 8.3% year-end bonus, pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, flexible terms of employment under CAO NU, and additional employee benefits including professional development, sports, and cultural activities. Utrecht University is committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating a safe environment for all staff.

To apply, submit your application via the Utrecht University portal, including a motivation letter, CV, writing sample (preferably your Master thesis), and names/contact details of two referees. Recommendation letters will be requested only for shortlisted candidates. The application deadline is 25 May 2026, and the first round of interviews will take place on 17 June 2026. For further information, contact Dr Burcu Özgün at [email protected]