Your career at Maastricht University

How we work together

UM is an international university with a human touch. We consciously choose to create an environment where colleagues know each other, can easily connect with one another, and work together on the basis of trust.

Our small-scale approach and Problem-Based Learning (PBL) foster collaboration, curiosity and knowledge sharing. You experience this every day, not only in our education and research, but across all roles at UM. Communication is easy and informal, and you have the freedom to take initiative. You’re not a number in a large organisation, but part of a close-knit community where colleagues support, challenge and inspire each other.

You also experience this sense of connection beyond the university. Our locations in Maastricht, Venlo, Heerlen, Sittard-Geleen and Brussels are closely connected to their local communities. We work closely with various regional partners and use our knowledge and expertise to contribute to the local community.

How we look beyond our borders

As the most international university in the Netherlands, we naturally look beyond national borders. Our students, researchers and staff bring a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. This international diversity is not an exception, but part of our everyday work.

Depending on your role, you may work closely with international colleagues, researchers, students and partners, or contribute from a support role to a university with global connections. International collaboration, curiosity and an open mind are a natural part of our culture. That is why we encourage our employees to look beyond borders and gain international experience, for example by attending conferences and taking part in international collaborative projects with our partners. We also offer all staff the opportunity to spend time at one of our partner universities abroad through the ERASMUS+ mobility programme. 

Our international view also means we want everyone to feel welcome. International colleagues are supported in getting off to a good start, helping them quickly feel at home at UM and in the region.

How we help you grow

Learning and development never stop. That is why we invest in your professional and personal growth. Through training courses, workshops, coaching and our online learning platform, you can continue to develop your knowledge and skills. We offer programmes for employees at every stage of their career, as well as for leaders who want to grow in connecting and inspiring leadership.

Are you an early-career academic or a young professional in a support role? Then you can join communities such as the Maastricht Young Academy (MYA) or Young UM Professionals (YUMP). Here, you can meet colleagues, exchange ideas and expand your network. In this way, we invest not only in individual development, but also in a learning organisation where employees support and strengthen each other.

How we work together

At UM, we believe that every employee contributes to the success of the university in their own way. We value a wide range of talents and perspectives, because different backgrounds, experiences and ways of thinking lead to new insights, better collaboration and greater societal impact.

That is why we create space for differences and open, respectful dialogue. We will not always agree with each other – and that is okay. By staying curious about other perspectives, we continue to learn, innovate and move forward together.

How we make change happen together

UM was founded with a pioneering spirit. That entrepreneurial mindset is still reflected in the way we work and in the people who work here.

We look for colleagues who see opportunities, dare to take initiative and enjoy thinking about how things can be improved. You do not have to wait until everything is set in stone; we value an open attitude, curiosity and a willingness to try out new ideas. Experimenting, learning and improving are part of the way we work.

How we support sustainable working

We believe it is important that you can do your work with energy and enthusiasm, both today and in the long term. That is why we invest in a healthy and safe working environment, that supports well-being at work and a healthy work-life balance. We do so through initiatives such as Work-Wellbeing, VitalityWorks and UM SPORTS.

You can also count on attractive employment benefits and conditions. UM follows the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) and offers benefits including flexible working hours, hybrid working opportunities, generous leave arrangements, holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus. In this way, we create the conditions that enable our employees to enjoy their work and perform at their best.