Utrecht University PhD Position 2026 | Eligibility and How to Apply

Utrecht University in the Netherlands is offering a fully funded PhD position in Equine Intestinal Microbiome and Resistome research. This is a four-year doctoral programme hosted within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, one of Europe’s leading veterinary research institutions. The position comes with a competitive monthly salary, full employment benefits, and access to world-class laboratory facilities. It is not a traditional scholarship but a paid research employment contract, which makes it even more attractive for ambitious early-career researchers.

This opportunity is designed for candidates who hold a Master’s degree in veterinary medicine, microbiology, bioinformatics, or a closely related field. The project sits at the intersection of animal health and public health, investigating how the gut microbiome of horses can be influenced to reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance. If you are passionate about scientific research and want to build a career in academia or veterinary science, this position is an excellent launchpad.

In this post, we will walk you through everything you need to know: the full benefits package, eligibility requirements, required documents, how to apply, and tips to strengthen your application before the March 2026 deadline.

Scholarship Overview

Eligibility

To be considered for this PhD position, you must meet the following requirements:

• Citizenship: The listing does not restrict applications by nationality. International candidates are welcome to apply. However, all successful candidates must be able to legally work in the Netherlands. 
• Academic qualifications: You must hold a Master’s degree in veterinary medicine, microbiology, bioinformatics, or a closely related discipline. A Bachelor’s degree alone is not sufficient.
• Research interest: You must demonstrate a strong, genuine interest in molecular microbiology and antimicrobial resistance research. This should be clearly reflected in your motivation letter.
• Independence and collaboration: You should be capable of working independently while also contributing productively to a multidisciplinary team that includes veterinarians, clinicians, molecular microbiologists, and bioinformaticians.
• Communication skills: Strong written and verbal communication in English is required. You must be able to clearly present and explain scientific ideas to colleagues across different disciplines.
• Learning ability: The role requires someone who can quickly grasp new concepts, keep up with scientific literature, and adapt to a dynamic research environment.
• Bioinformatics experience: Experience with bioinformatics analyses is listed as an advantage, not a strict requirement. If you have this background, highlight it prominently.
• Language: Proven proficiency in written and spoken English is required. A formal language test score may be needed depending on your educational background. 

Eligible Countries

The position listing does not restrict applications by country of origin. Utrecht University explicitly states its commitment to diversity and welcomes candidates with diverse cultural, religious, or ethnic backgrounds.

• Africa: All countries
• Asia: All countries
• Americas: All countries (North, Central, and South America)
• Europe: All countries
• Middle East: All countries
• Oceania: All countries

Eligible Fields of Study

This PhD position is specific to the following areas. Your Master’s degree must be in one of these disciplines or a closely related field:

• Veterinary medicine
• Microbiology
• Molecular microbiology
• Bioinformatics
• Related life sciences or biological sciences fields

The research will require practical knowledge of microbiome research, laboratory techniques such as 16S rRNA sequencing, shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and qPCR, as well as data analysis. Candidates with backgrounds in public health, epidemiology, or genomics may also be considered if their experience is relevant.

Benefits

This is a paid employment position, not a traditional scholarship grant. Here is a full breakdown of what you receive:

• Monthly salary: A gross monthly salary between 3,059 euros and 3,881 euros, depending on qualifications and experience. This falls under salary scale P of the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU).
• Holiday pay: An additional 8% of your annual salary is paid as holiday allowance.
• Year-end bonus: You receive an 8.3% year-end bonus on top of your salary.
• Pension scheme: You are enrolled in a pension scheme as part of your employment package.
• Parental leave: Partially paid parental leave is included under the CAO NU terms.
• Flexible employment conditions: You can tailor some of your employment conditions through the Utrecht University Terms of Employment Options Model.
• Professional development: Access to training, supervision, and guidance through the Utrecht Graduate School of Life Sciences for both research and personal growth.
• Sports and cultural activities: Access to a range of staff programmes including sports and cultural opportunities.
• Contract duration: The initial contract is for one year. After a successful go/no-go assessment, it is extended to a total of four years.
• Working hours: Full-time position at 36 to 40 hours per week.

Required Documents

When applying, you will need to prepare and submit the following:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV): A detailed, up-to-date CV covering your academic background, research experience, publications (if any), and relevant skills.
2. Motivation letter: A well-crafted cover letter explaining why you are the right candidate for this specific project, your research interests, and your career goals.
3. Master’s degree certificate: Proof that you hold (or are completing) a Master’s degree in a relevant field.
4. Academic transcripts: Official transcripts from your university showing your academic record.
5. English language proof: Evidence of your proficiency in written and spoken English. This may be through your educational background or a formal language test. 
6. Portfolio of relevant research or publications: If you have previously published work or completed research projects, consider including brief references to strengthen your application.

How to Apply

Follow these steps carefully to submit a complete and strong application:

Step 1: Read the full position description on the official Utrecht University vacancies page. Make sure you understand the research focus, the team you will be joining, and the expectations for the role.

Step 2: Confirm that you meet all the eligibility requirements, particularly holding a Master’s degree in a relevant field and having proven English proficiency.

Step 3: Research the work of the research groups involved. Read recent publications from Dr. Aldert Zomer, Dr. Mathijs Theelen, Dr. Rosa Houben, and Prof. Jaap Wagenaar so you can reference their work meaningfully in your motivation letter.

Step 4: Write your motivation letter. This is your most important document. Explain your interest in equine microbiome research, your experience with relevant laboratory techniques or bioinformatics, and how this PhD fits into your long-term career plans. Be specific and avoid generic statements.

Step 5: Update your CV to highlight relevant research experience, laboratory skills (especially 16S rRNA sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, or qPCR if applicable), and any bioinformatics experience.

Step 6: Gather all required documents, including your degree certificate, academic transcripts, and any supporting material.

Step 7: If you have questions before applying, contact Dr. Mathijs Theelen at m.j.p.theelen@uu.nl. Getting in touch shows initiative and can help you tailor your application.

Step 8: Visit the official Utrecht University vacancy page and click the “Apply now” button. You will be directed to the university’s online application portal.

Step 9: Upload all your documents through the portal. Double-check that every file is clearly named, properly formatted, and complete before submission.

Step 10: Submit your application before 29 March 2026. Allow yourself at least two to three days before the deadline to handle any technical issues with the portal.

Key Dates and Timeline

Application Deadline

The application deadline is 29 March 2026.

Applications submitted after this time will NOT be accepted.

Do not wait until the last day to apply. Submit early to avoid technical difficulties with the online portal.

Selection Criteria

Utrecht University and the research team will evaluate candidates based on the following:

• Academic excellence: Your Master’s degree results and the quality of your academic record. Strong grades in relevant courses such as microbiology, molecular biology, or bioinformatics will be looked at closely.
• Research potential: Evidence that you can carry out independent scientific research, interpret results critically, and contribute to a research programme. Any prior research experience, including thesis projects, is valuable.
• Technical skills: Familiarity with laboratory techniques relevant to microbiome research (16S rRNA sequencing, shotgun metagenomics, qPCR) or bioinformatics analysis tools will strengthen your application significantly.
• Communication and writing ability: Your motivation letter itself is an evaluation tool. Clarity of thought, proper structure, and specific reasoning will set you apart.
• Team and collaboration fit: The role involves close collaboration with multiple departments, so your ability to work well in a multidisciplinary team is important.
• Commitment to the field: Demonstrating that you keep up with recent literature in antimicrobial resistance and microbiome science shows genuine engagement with the subject.
• Knowledge security: Utrecht University may conduct a knowledge security screening as part of the selection process to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology.

Important Tips

1. Read the research group’s publications before writing your motivation letter. Referencing specific papers by the supervisors shows you have done your homework and are genuinely interested in the work.
2. Be specific in your motivation letter. Avoid phrases like “I have always been passionate about science.” Instead, describe a specific project, finding, or experience that drew you to microbiome or antimicrobial resistance research.
3. Highlight bioinformatics experience if you have it. The listing specifically mentions this as an advantage, so do not bury it. Make it visible early in your CV and mention it in your cover letter.
4. Contact Dr. Mathijs Theelen before applying. Reaching out with a focused question about the project demonstrates initiative and professionalism. It may also give you useful insight to strengthen your application.
5. Apply early. The deadline is 29 March 2026, and technical issues with online portals are common near deadlines. Submitting at least three days early protects you from last-minute problems.
6. Tailor your CV to the role. Remove unrelated work experience and make room to highlight relevant research placements, laboratory skills, and scientific contributions.
7. Demonstrate your ability to work independently. The job description emphasises the need for both independent thinking and collaboration. In your motivation letter, give a concrete example of a time you led or designed a research task independently.
8. Check your English writing carefully. Strong written English is an explicit requirement. Have a trusted colleague or advisor review your documents before submission.
9. Review the CAO NU terms. Understanding Dutch university employment conditions before you apply shows maturity and preparedness, especially during any interviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Official Link

Apply directly through the Utrecht University vacancies portal:

https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/jobs

For questions, contact: Dr. Mathijs Theelen at m.j.p.theelen@uu.nl

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