Marina van Damme Scholarship

Scholarship and research opportunity in geoscience, environmental science, geology, and mining impacts. The post combines two opportunities: the Marina van Damme Scholarship 2026 for women in STEM and a PhD/Postdoc scholarship call linked to the GeoRes4Dev project.

The Marina van Damme Scholarship offers a €9,000 grant to support female professionals pursuing advanced studies, courses, or specialized training in technical and technological fields. It is aimed at women with a strong academic and professional background who want to expand their knowledge and leadership in STEM.

The research call is for a PhD or postdoc in the GeoRes4Dev project, focused on the socio-environmental impacts of large-scale and artisanal mining, including water, land, biodiversity, waste, tailings, and community perceptions. The fieldwork is based in Manono, Tanganyika Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo, with supervision involving the Royal Museum for Central Africa and the University of Lubumbashi.

Eligibility highlights: PhD applicants should have a Bachelor’s plus Master’s degree; postdoc applicants should have a Master’s degree. Preferred backgrounds include earth sciences, geology, natural resources, and environmental science. Applicants should have strong interdisciplinary interest, good English, analytical skills, and the ability to work in remote locations. A current professional occupation in a relevant field is required, and academic staff support is recommended.

Funding: annual budget support of €5000, travel and research-related expenses, mobility funding for up to 6 weeks per year at RMCA Belgium or another partner university, and supervision support.

Deadline: 2026-05-25. Applications must be submitted by email with the required documents in English.