Willemijn van Os

Unfortunately, the PhD Workshop on 24 March is cancelled in order to prevent further spread of the Coronavirus. You can no longer register for this event or make appointments with our delegates.

Utrecht University is represented by Willemijn van Os, Head of International Relations Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, PhD Recruiter Graduate School of Life Sciences.

Utrecht University (est. 1636) is a research-intensive university ranking no. 1 in The Netherlands and no. 49 in the world according to the Shanghai Ranking 2019. The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is ranked no. 3 in the World in the QS Ranking by subject 2019. The Utrecht Science Park is the perfect spot for our top-notch academic and applied research, high level tertiary education, start-ups, SME’s and multinationals.

Utrecht University stands out of the crowd because of its focus on multidisciplinary research. Research is clustered within four interdisciplinary strategic themes, of which Life Sciences is the largest. Our researchers (> 500 at the level of assistant, associate or full professor) study topics at levels ranging from molecules and cells, via tissues and organs, to individuals and populations, in fundamental, applied, translational and clinical research, in humans and animals. Our main topics are One Health, Personalized Medicine, Regenerative Medicine and Science for Life. Together, we strive to create sustainable solutions for our constantly changing world, and to ensure a healthy future for subsequent generations.

Training and supervision of our 1,800 PhD candidates, of which 25% is international, is organised by the Graduate School of Life Sciences, an interfaculty School of the faculties of Veterinary Medicine and Science and the University Medical Center Utrecht (faculty of Medicine).

In Bogota, we are doing targeted recruitment for PhD candidates in thematic PhD programmes, organized and taught by our top scientists, in the following fields:

• Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cells & Cancer
• Epidemiology
• Infection & Immunity
• Fertility & Reproduction
• Behaviour & Welfare
• Risk Assessment of Toxic and Immunomodulatory agents
• Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience
• Computational Life Sciences
• Medical Imaging
• Biomembranes
• Toxicology & Environmental Health
• Applied Veterinary Research

The PhD Course Centre offers free training in general skills: Research skills & Knowledge, Responsible Conduct of Science, Personal Effectiveness, Communication, Professional Development, Leadership & Management and Teaching.

During the 4-year PhD track, PhD candidates work in an international multidisciplinary research environment under supervision of a professor and grow into independent scientists with a critical and open mind. The PhD thesis is based on the PhD candidate's own research. Please note that English is the main language used in our labs, seminars, courses etc.

Importantly, most Dutch people speak English well, so you can get along easily just speaking English. We do stimulate and facilitate learning Dutch, however this is not obligatory for your stay.

For admission we require a Master’s degree in Veterinary Medicine, Animal Science, Medicine, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences or related areas. In addition, relevant theoretical and lab-skill background and a proven proficiency in the English language (IELTS, TOEFL) is needed.

Utrecht University strives to be a good host for international guests. Our International Service Desk (ISD) feels it is her highest priority that PhD candidates at Utrecht University feel valued and welcome. To achieve this, we organise several meetings each year to inform guests on a variety of relevant subjects, as well as facilitate socializing among fellow internationals. We offer individual service for everyone who decides to do PHD research in Utrecht.  

If you would like to discuss the opportunity of doing a PhD in the Graduate School of Life Sciences, please feel free to make an appointment.
We are also open for possibilities of double and join PhD degrees.

Go back to overview of professors and recruiters attending the PhD Workshop in Bogota.