Dutch universities seek top physics and tech researchers
As Europe aims to attract academics leaving the US, we looked at the open research positions in Dutch universities.
Published on May 13, 2025
Mauro swapped Sardinia for Eindhoven and has been an IO+ editor for 3 years. As a GREEN+ expert, he covers the energy transition with data-driven stories.
The budget cuts announced by American President Donald Trump are undermining the foundation of education in the country. As a result, many scientists are considering leaving the country due to this funding and administrative turbulence. Europe aims to attract as many of these academics as possible.
Last week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled Choose Europe, pledging €500 million to lure international researchers to Europe. “The role of science in today's world is questioned. The investment in fundamental, free, and open research is questioned. What a gigantic miscalculation. I believe that science holds the key to our future here in Europe,” she said in her speech at La Sorbonne University.
Several European countries, including the Netherlands, started to set up schemes to attract foreign scientists. Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science Eppo Bruins previously tasked the Dutch Research Council (NWO) to set up a fund to attract foreign scientists to the Netherlands. “Leading scientists are of immense value to the Netherlands and to Europe as a whole,” he stated. And many positions for international scientists are up for grabs in the Netherlands. As of 2023, 48.2% of the academic staff of Dutch universities came from abroad.
Behind the Figures
In Behind the Figures, we take a deep dive into numbers. Using charts and graphs, we break down figures and provide context to help you make more sense of them.
View Behind the Figures SeriesWhat are Dutch universities looking for?
Through EURAXESS, the EU’s main database for research jobs, it is possible to check the available openings at each university. Narrowing the list to the Netherlands, there are over 400 openings across all of the country's universities and some research institutes. In the map below, you can get an overview of the institutes offering positions.
The research fields with the most openings are physics, cultural studies, and technology. And what about researchers' seniority? 60% of the positions are for first-stage researchers, such as PhDs. In the infobox below, you can find a detailed categorization of researchers according to European standards.
How are researchers classified?
The European Commission classifies researchers into four distinguished categories depending on competence and experience:
- First-stage researchers (R1) are researchers conducting research under supervision up to the level of a PhD or equivalent.
- Recognized researcher (R2). Researchers with a PhD or equivalent level of experience and competence who have not yet established a significant level of independence in their research, attracting funding, or leading a research group.
- Established researcher (R3). Researchers with a PhD or equivalent level of experience who independently develop their research, attract financing, and lead a research group.
- Leading researcher (R4): Researchers with a PhD or equivalent level of experience who are recognized as leaders in their research field by their peers.
Comparing the four technical universities
The Netherlands is home to four technical universities: the Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), the University of Twente (UT), and the Wageningen University & Research (WUR).
The TU Delft is the largest of the four, with over 27,000 students, and the institution has the most significant number of open offerings. Technology and physics are the areas with the most offerings. As the world’s best university in agriculture and forestry, most positions offered by the WUR are in agricultural sciences.
A zoom into the University of Amsterdam
The University of Amsterdam (UvA) is the country's largest athenaeum, with 44,000 students, 6,200 employees, and an annual budget of €850 million. As one of the largest broad-based research institutions in Europe, it offers a variety of positions across different research fields. Physics and cultural studies have the most offerings.
Contradictions
The investments to attract foreign researchers clash with the reality of budget cuts to education, also announced in some European countries. Following La Sorbonne’s announcement—and France’s dedicated initiative, Choose France for Science–French education institutions and research unions stated that higher education and research have been weakened under Macron’s policies. This year, the French cabinet slashed around €1.5 billion in funding to education.
In the same way, the budget cuts to education, up to €1 billion, proposed by the Dutch government conflict with the intention of luring foreign academics. As universities keep rallying against the cabinet measures, the tensions and contradictions keep unfolding.
