Talent policies and services

PhD-candidates

The doctorate (PhD) degree is the highest academic degree awarded in the Netherlands. A PhD project entails three to four years of scientific research and study under supervision of at least one full professor, culminating in writing a thesis and passing a public defense.

At Amsterdam UMC, PhD candidates obtain a doctorate in the Faculty of Medicine of either the University of Amsterdam (UvA) or the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). In principle, the doctorate will be acquired at the university to which the supervisor is affiliated. The practical details of the PhD process in UvA and VU are slightly different.

More information:

Post-doctoral researchers

The PostDoc Portal contains an overview of crucial information for post-doctoral researchers at Amsterdam UMC throughout their career.

At postdoc level, Amsterdam UMC offers up to four Postdoc Career Bridging grants per year to young researchers.

The Amsterdam UMC Postdoc Network deploys activities to attract attention to the specific needs of postdocs, among others by organizing courses on scientific and transferable skills and networking events, thereby stimulating professional and career development.

For very talented senior postdocs or mid-career level researchers, an Amsterdam UMC Fellowship exists, consisting of one 5-year Fellowship per year to set up an own research group. From 2024-2026, there also will be one Amsterdam UMC D&I fellowship.
In 2022, an additional Diversity & Inclusion Talent Fellowship was granted in collaboration with the UvA to a researcher belonging to an underrepresented group in the Netherlands.
Fellowship laureates are embedded in the Tenure Track scheme of Amsterdam UMC that guides a limited group of very talented mid-career level researchers to a tenured position in five years.

The Tenure Track scheme of Amsterdam UMC is currently under review.

Principal investigators
Amsterdam UMC aims to stimulate research excellence by recognizing professionals who are in the lead. The scientific careers of talented young researchers are stimulated by the Principal Investigator (PI) system for researchers who have taken up leadership and developed their own lines of research. Currently, there are approximately 800 PIs within Amsterdam UMC. PIs can be nominated by their department head and, after a strict selection procedure, are appointed by the Executive Board of Directors. The recognition and increased visibility as PI supports them when forming collaborations and applying for research grants.
Committee for talent and Appointments
The Committee for Talent and Appointments (CTA) has been installed by the Board of Directors to shape the talent policies of academic staff and to provide independent advice to the Deans on the
appointment of Associate Professors (UHD) and Professors (HL). The CTA strives for transparent and fair appointment procedures, for talents who wish to make career steps within Amsterdam UMC as well as for recruitment of excellent academic staff from elsewhere. Candidates need to be supported by their
department head and the division. The CTA provides advice based on their Qualification Portfolio, in which they describe their career profile in research, teaching, clinical work, valorization and/or management & leadership.
Incentive arrangements

Amsterdam UMC has several incentive arrangements to stimulate research excellence.

The incentive policy is designed to encourage researchers to focus on strategically important grants and to attract and retain mid-career talent, for example by awarding laureates of specific prestigious grants with supplemented budget or an additional PhD or postdoc position.

Nominations for academic prizes and awards

In collaboration with the Amsterdam UMC Research Institutes, the Research Policy Office supports the yearly awarding of the Amsterdam UMC Soietal Impact Award and nominations of researchers and research teams for several academic prizes and awards. Potential candidates for such awards can be suggested to the associated Research Institute(s).