The NUTRIM PhD experience
Turn your passion into meaningful research, tackle real-world problems contribute to progress in your field and make an impact for society. Pursuing a PhD at NUTRIM involves dedicating yourself to a research project under expert guidance. You'll collaborate with research staff and learn from researchers across departments and disciplines, broadening your scientific perspectives.
Your PhD journey includes developing a personal research plan, take courses for individual and academic growth and write a doctoral thesis. You're expected to contribute to international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals. Teaching undergraduate students is also common.
Supervision
Supervision is provided by NUTRIM research experts who aim to maximize your potential, offering advice and sharing their research expertise. NUTRIM encourages transdisciplinary research, often involving supervisors from different departments, MUMC+, or other research institutes.
Personal research plan
Within the first 3 month you'll create a scientifically sound and feasible Personal Research Plan (PRP) with your supervisors, outlining your research goals, responsibilities and timeline. This plan is reviewed and evaluated (and adapted) annually and signed by the PhD candidate and the daily supervisor.
Training and supervision plan (TSP)
You develop your Training and Supervision Plan (TSP) in the 3 first month to identify necessary training and development opportunities and the quality of mentorship by the supervisor(s). This plan aims to enhance your skills as a researcher and professional, preparing you for a successful career within or outside academia.
PhD TRACK system
UM PhD TRACK system is an essential tool for PhD candidates and is a comprehensive online platform designed to support and monitor the progress of UM PhD candidates throughout their doctoral journey. It serves multiple purposes, ensuring that both candidates and supervisors are aligned in achieving high-quality outcomes. FHML uses the program ‘TRACK’ to monitor PhD students. TRACK is a digital portfolio and keeps a score on your TSP, PRP and future activities. It provides structured support for research progress, skill development, supervision quality, and administrative oversight, ensuring a successful PhD trajectory. During your PhD, you can reflect on your skills and competences and use this reflection to set up goals for your PhD training programme.
You can login to TRACK here.
NUTRIM offers two types of PhD positions
- Internal PhD candidates: Employed by the Faculty or Maastricht UMC+, receiving a monthly salary. These positions are filled through open competition when vacancies arise. Available vacancies are posted on this website Academic Transfer
- External PhD candidates: Not employed by the Faculty but conduct research under NUTRIM supervision. They are either scholarship recipients or self-funded, often pursuing their PhD alongside a job in their organization in the Netherlands or abroad.
Practical tips on being a PhD candidate at Maastricht University
Mymaastricht.nl is the one-stop information platform to help international students find their way in the city of Maastricht. Covering the topics of Health, Transport, Housing and Finances, as well as Sports, Events and Communities in Maastricht. Featuring a map with a wide range of locations and organizations to help you orientate yourself in the city. From bars and doctor’s offices to scenic spots and thrift stores – it’s worth checking out! Stay tuned with their social media channels with top tips, important topics, and upcoming events in and around Maastricht.