MHeNs PhD Programme

Fast Facts
Over 270 PhD candidates
Average of 45 doctorates per year
43% of our PhD from abroad
High academic level PhD programme
Transdisciplinary focus
International partnership networks
The PhD educational program of MHeNs has a strong multidisciplinary character and is on a European level embedded within the European Graduate School of Neuroscience EURON. The aim of the program is to promote a high level of competence in a specific research field, but also in more generic, transferrable skills that are important for high level professional careers in research, education, or clinical practice.
A PhD degree at MHeNs is not just a study but a serious research project that adds new knowledge to our field. As a PhD candidate at MHeNs, you will spend most of your time conducting original research and writing a dissertation. You might also follow courses relevant to your research or have teaching responsibilities as well. Most candidates take four years to complete their dissertation and earn their degree.
PhD-programmes are based on successful grants that are acquired by staff members from our school. Vacancies for PhD-positions are announced via (inter)national channels, such as the website of Academic Transfer. In general, open applications for PhD-positions are not possible. When students provide means for their own support and their research other conditions may apply.
You can also contact a MHeNs faculty member if you work at another academic or clinical organisation, in industry or in public services and would like to discuss collaborative research work that might lead to a PhD. Such external PhDs are generally conducted with a supervisory team composed of UM staff and staff from your own organisation. External PhD students have access to the same courses and facilities as internal PhD students. We also have a number of double and joint PhD degree programmes, for example with our EURON partners.
Contact
For more information please contact:
Martin van Boxtel
PhD Coordinator MHeNs
Nicole Senden
Programme Coordinator EURON

PhD Education Programme
As part of the MHeNs PhD training, PhD candidates are expected to follow both general courses and more specific, researchrelated courses. A total of 20 ECTS should be spent on formal educational activities, with a good balance between general and research related courses.

PhD Information
Requirements for our PhD programmes vary widely, but you will at least need a master’s degree, and need to speak, read and write English at a high level. What you need to know after acceptance and prior to starting the PhD programme can be found here in this practical information section.

PhD Community
MHeNs’ PhD Community consist of 270 PhD’s represented by PhD students from the three MHeNs divisions. The representative’s role is to facilitate communication between promovendi, the PhD coordinator and the MHeNs Board. And to help develop PhD grassroots initiatives.