Hubrecht International PhD Program (HIPP) - Utrecht

Launch Your Scientific Career in a World-Class Research Environment

Are you an ambitious student eager to push the frontiers of molecular and developmental biology? The Hubrecht International PhD Programme (HIPP)  invites talented candidates from around the globe to apply for fully funded, four-year PhD positions at the prestigious Hubrecht Institute in Utrecht, the Netherlands. HIPP provides exceptional training to become a world-class researcher and supports candidates aiming to redefine our understanding of molecules, cells, tissues and organisms.

Before submitting your application, please read carefully through the HIPP website

What You’ll Be Doing

Successful candidates will conduct independent research within one of the institute’s high-profile research groups, while enrolling in a PhD program at a Dutch university (e.g., Utrecht University’s ‘Cancer, Stem Cells, and Developmental Biology’ track).
Their work will contribute to breakthrough discoveries in molecular biology, developmental biology, and emerging interdisciplinary areas such as biophysics, mathematical biology and computational biology.

What We Offer

• A fully funded, four-year PhD position with a globally competitive salary in a vibrant and English-speaking city with easy access to international connections
• Organisational and financial support for obtaining necessary permits or visas
• Financial support to attend international conferences (up to €3,000)
• Access to training courses, career development workshops and opportunities for networking and public engagement

What You Bring

• You must hold, or expect to be awarded, a Master’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, (Applied) Mathematics, Engineering or related fields.
• The Master’s degree should be awarded at the latest before the start of the PhD
• You must have > 6 months’ research experience in biology or a biology-related discipline, including theoretical fields
• Strong interest in molecular or developmental biology, innovation, and technology
• Excellent analytical, empirical, and organizational skills
• A research-driven mindset with the ability to work independently
• Strong communication and collaboration skills in academic settings
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken
  
  

More information
FAQs: please check the HIPP website (https://www.hubrecht.eu/hipp/).

For general queries, please contact hipp@hubrecht.eu.

We receive a large number of enquiries. Please accept our apologies that you will not receive a response if your question is already answered in the FAQs or elsewhere on this page.

Further information on working at the Hubrecht Institute

Application Procedure

Applications must be submitted through the application portal before September 15th 2026 at 23:59 (Central European Summer time).

Applicants must complete the following, in English:

1. Submit the following documents as a single, combined PDF through the application portal:

        (i) a motivation letter (max. 300 words) explaining your scientific interests and specific reasons for applying to the Hubrecht Institute. Please indicate your preference for up to three research groups at the
         Hubrecht Institute. Preferences are intended to give the selection committee a better idea of your specific research interests. Preferences are non-binding and can be changed later.
        (ii) a CV, including the contact details of 2 referees
        (iii) transcripts/grades for undergraduate and graduate coursework

Please do not include other documents in this file. Do not submit this PDF by email.

2. Ask two referees to fill out this reference questionnaire and send it to references@hubrecht.eu from their institutional e-mail address. We must receive their questionnaire by September 15th 2026. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that referees submit their completed questionnaires before the deadline.

Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Please note that due to the large number of applicants, we cannot respond to individual requests for feedback.

Selection Procedure

The selection process will involve the following stages:

Document review (September – October 2026)
All valid applications will be reviewed by at least two members of the HIPP selection committee. Applicants with incomplete applications (including missing reference letters) will be disqualified at this stage.  

Online interviews (mid- to late October 2026)
Candidates selected for an online interview will give a formal 10-minute presentation about their previous work, followed by 15 minutes Q&A by the selection panel (HIPP committee plus some recruiting group leaders).

In-person selection visit (in the week of January 25th, 2027)
Candidates selected for the in-person interview will visit the Hubrecht Institute to have 1-on-1 meetings with group leaders and their team members (including current PhD students). Travel, accommodation and costs incurred for obtaining necessary travel documents will be covered by the Hubrecht Institute.

Candidates will also be given a tour of the institute facilities. At the end of the visit, candidates will provide a ranked list of up to three research groups that they would like to join. These can be different to the groups of interest indicated in the initial application.

The visit is part of the selection process. PhD positions will be offered to successful candidates shortly after the visit.

Decision communicated to candidates : Early February 2027.

About the Hubrecht Institute
The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute focused on molecular and developmental biology. Because of the dynamic character of the research, the institute has a variable number of research groups, around 20, that do fundamental, multidisciplinary research on healthy and diseased cells, tissues and organisms. The Hubrecht Institute is a research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), situated on Utrecht Science Park. Since 2008, the institute is affiliated with the UMC Utrecht, advancing the translation of research to the clinic. The Hubrecht Institute has a partnership with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). For more information, visit www.hubrecht.eu. 

Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is € 3.059 and the maximum salary is € 3.881 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale P cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.