Generally, PhD candidates are recruited for specific research projects by public advertisement. In addition, unsolicited applications from high potential candidates with an appropriate master degree are welcomed.

How to obtain a PhD position

Talented candidates with a strong motivation to obtain a research position at the Faculty of Archaeology are advised to contact the PhD coordinator of the Graduate School.

PhD students are stimulated to present research results at international scientific meetings and publish in high-ranking scientific journals. Doing so, they build their own scientific network and track record to obtain the most favorable prospect for continuation of their career after graduation. The high quality and the international standing of the Faculty of Archaeology are evidenced by the ranking of its research among that of the world-top archaeological institutes.

If you wish to execute PhD research with a PhD graduation planned at the Faculty of Archaeology of Leiden University, there are three possibilities. You will be an:

1. External PhD student, supported by your own funds (job, savings, loan), working in your own workspace, supervised by a Faculty of Archaeology professor;
2. Internal self-funded PhD student, supported by your own funds (job, savings, loan), housed at the Faculty, with Graduate School facilities;
3. Internal contract PhD student, supported by your own personal grant / scholarship acquired elsewhere, with Graduate School facilities.

External PhD students

• Find a professor at the Faculty of Archaeology who is willing & able to supervise your PhD research for the whole track. Approach a professor by email with your research proposal. See our research page for more information about the fields covered by the Faculty of Archaeology.

Internal self-funded PhD students

For admission as an internal  self-funded PhD student, working with own finances:

• You need to have two supervisors at the Faculty of Archaeology, approving your PhD proposal
• Your presence at the Faculty is required for min. 3 days p/wk. 
• Your proposal will be assessed by the Faculty Research Committee. Please see the criteria for assessment. 
  • The Research Committee advises the Faculty Board, who decides upon admission. 
  • As a requirement for a positive advice, revision of the proposal may be necessary. A proposal may be submitted max. two times to the Research Committee: the second version has to be ‘excellent’.

Please note that there are costs involved for your workspace and facilities at the Faculty of Archaeology: €800 per 6 months.

Admitted?

• Admission will be for 1 (one) year: after ca.10 months a Progress Review will be carried out, deciding whether progress has been sufficient. A go/no go advise will be formulated for the Faculty Board, who will decide upon continuation / discontinuation
• When the internal PhD position is continued, extension is for three years max.

Internal Contract PhD students working with a personal grant (Nuffic, CSC, other) at the Faculty

The Graduate School of Archaeology does not provide PhD grants. If you plan to apply for a personal research grant elsewhere and wish to execute your research and graduate at the Faculty of Archaeology, you need to:

• Find a professor in the Faculty of Archaeology who is willing & able to supervise you for the whole PhD track. Approach a professor by email. See our research page for more information about the fields covered by the Faculty of Archaeology.
• Write the proposal in cooperation with your supervisor.

Your presence at the Faculty is required for min. 3 days p/wk.

Combining a job with a PhD?

This is possible at the Leiden University Dual PhD Centre. The Centre focuses on external PhD candidates who devote part of their working time to scientific research on a theme from their professional practice. The Centre helps these dual PhD candidates develop a research plan, provides training and ensures that their research fits within a scientific discipline and graduate school, and that it ties in with the research of a potential supervisor. A unique opportunity for the PhD candidate, the employer and for science.