CAPHRI PhD Journey
CAPHRI facilitates talented graduates from all over the world to obtain a PhD by conducting a research project rather independently, under guidance of expert researchers. During the CAPHRI PhD journey you will be trained on the job, by working in research teams under the guidance of research staff and develop competencies and skills needed for high-quality research. Besides, you will be trained to make use of various scientific perspectives by learning from researchers of other departments and disciplines. You have opportunities to follow content-related, methodological as well as transferable skills courses to increase your employability in- and outside the academic world. The PhD trajectory results in a thesis and is awarded with a PhD degree from Maastricht University after having successfully defended your thesis during the public defense ceremony.
At CAPHRI you will be part of a community of more than 450 PhD candidates. Over 50 percent is coming from all continents. At CAPHRI we are committed to supporting you throughout your entire PhD journey. We have built a strong support system for PhD candidates. In case of questions or experienced difficulties, there is always someone there for you.
Why CAPHRI?
Around 65 PhD defences each year
- A PhD programme at a high academic level
- Transdisciplinary focus
- International partnership networks
- No tuition fees
Support System
We have built a strong support system for PhD candidates. In case of questions or experienced difficulties, there is always someone there for you.
CAPHRI PhD Stories
Current PhD candidates and alumni share their personal and professional experiences. Read about the motivation behind their research, the challenges their projects face, and their overall perspective on the CAPHRI PhD Programme.
Improving Shared Decision-Making with Patients in a Vulnerable Position
CAPHRI PhD candidate Laura Vriese (PHPC) studies how to support Shared Decision-Making (SDM) for patients with limited health literacy and multimorbidity.
Molecular Insights and Networking: Anne Verkerk Showcases Antibiotic Resistance Research
Anne Verkerk (HISP) recently gained valuable international experience by attending her first international conference, the IMMEM XIV 2025 meeting in Porto.
Social Context and Intervention Strategies: Sophie Jooren Tackles the Dilemma of Outdoor Tobacco Control
We've all accepted that smoking indoors is a nogo. But step outside, and enforcing those same smoke-free rules gets complicated. Why is compliance so tricky when smokers are outside?
Seek shade, cover up, use sunscreen: sun behaviour and skin cancer
Yara Sievers is a PhD candidate at the department of Health Promotion within CAPHRI, and she is researching sun behaviour in the Netherlands. Yara: “It would be great if we can raise more awareness with this research.”