Fully Funded PhD and Postdoc Positions at the University of Antwerp 2026/27 in Belgium
- Country
- Belgium
- Level
- PhD, Research
- Funding
- Fully funded
The University of Antwerp is one of Belgium's leading research universities, and it is a strong, welcoming destination for international PhD and postdoctoral researchers. At any given time it advertises a substantial number of funded research positions across its faculties. But it is important to understand how that funding works, because "fully funded PhD and postdoc jobs at Antwerp" is not one scholarship you apply for. It is a rolling stream of individually funded research posts. This guide explains the model honestly and completely, with fields, pay, costs, and how to apply.
The honest overview
At the University of Antwerp, doctoral and postdoctoral funding comes through research positions rather than a central scholarship:
- PhD researchers are funded either by a tax-free doctoral grant (bursary) or an employment contract, giving you a monthly income.
- Postdocs are employed on a salaried research contract.
- Each position is advertised separately, with its own project, supervisor, requirements, and deadline, on the university's jobs portal.
So instead of winning one "Antwerp scholarship," you apply to a specific funded position that matches your field, much like a research job application. The exact number of open positions changes constantly as new ones are posted and others close, so treat any single figure as a snapshot rather than a fixed total.
At a glance
- University: University of Antwerp, Belgium
- Roles: Doctoral (PhD) researchers and postdoctoral researchers
- Funding model: Tax-free doctoral grant or employment contract (PhD); salaried contract (postdoc)
- Fields: Many faculties, from engineering and medicine to social sciences and design
- Who it's for: International researchers of all nationalities
- Application: Per-vacancy, through the university jobs portal (rolling deadlines)
- Application fee: None
How the funding actually works
Here is the honest picture. In Belgium, as in much of Western Europe, doctoral and postdoctoral research is funded through grants and employment rather than stipend-style scholarships attached to a degree programme. A PhD researcher at Antwerp typically holds either a tax-free doctoral bursary or a staff contract, and in both cases receives a monthly income designed to live on. Postdocs hold salaried research contracts. Because the research itself is funded, you are not paying tuition to do your doctorate in the way an international master's student might.
This makes a funded position at Antwerp genuinely attractive: it is paid research experience at a respected European university, with income, benefits, and access to modern facilities, supervision from experienced academics, and international collaboration. The trade-off, compared with a one-click scholarship, is that you need to find and win a specific advertised position that fits your expertise.
What you can expect to earn
Belgian PhD funding is comparatively generous. Doctoral researchers commonly receive a net monthly amount in the region of 2,300 to 2,700 euros, with tax-free bursaries often around this level, while postdoctoral salaries are higher and scale with experience and the applicable pay framework. These are indicative ranges only: the exact amount depends on the funding source, the pay scale, and the specific position, so always check the terms stated in each vacancy.
The cost of living in Antwerp
Belgium has a high quality of life, and Antwerp is more affordable than Brussels while still being a vibrant, well-connected city. A single researcher typically needs somewhere in the region of 1,300 to 1,800 euros per month to cover rent, food, transport, insurance, and personal expenses, with rent the main variable. On a Belgian PhD grant or a postdoc salary, a funded position comfortably supports living in the city, particularly if you share accommodation, and Antwerp's compact size and good public transport help keep costs reasonable. Belgium also sits at the heart of Europe, making travel easy.
Fields of study
Funded positions at Antwerp span a wide range of faculties, including engineering and technology, sciences and mathematics, medicine and biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical and veterinary sciences, social sciences, design, business and economics, and development policy. Whatever your discipline, it is worth searching the portal regularly, because new projects appear across all of these areas throughout the year.
Contract duration
- PhD positions typically run for around four years, the standard length of a Belgian doctorate.
- Postdoctoral positions usually run for two to three years, depending on the project and funding.
Who can apply
- International researchers of all nationalities (no application fee)
- For a PhD position, a relevant master's degree (or equivalent) and a strong fit with the project
- For a postdoc position, a completed PhD in a relevant field
- Applicants meeting the specific requirements of each vacancy (skills, methods, publications)
- Many positions work in English, though some roles may value Dutch for teaching or clinical work
How to apply, step by step
- Search the University of Antwerp jobs portal for PhD and postdoc vacancies in your field.
- Select a project that matches your interests and expertise, and read its full description and requirements.
- Prepare your documents, typically a CV, academic transcripts and certificates, a research or motivation statement, and references (plus a publication list for postdocs).
- Apply through the online platform before the vacancy's own closing date.
- Interview with the research group if shortlisted, often by video for international applicants.
- Complete visa and registration steps if selected, including a Belgian residence permit for research where required.
Deadlines
There is no single application deadline. Positions are advertised on a rolling basis, and each vacancy has its own closing date. The effective strategy is to check the jobs portal regularly, set up alerts where available, and apply promptly when a matching role appears. Some structured doctoral or fellowship schemes may have fixed calls, so check those separately if you prefer a programme-based route.
Tips for a strong application
- Apply like a researcher, not a scholarship hunter. Tailor your motivation to the specific project and group.
- Match the requirements precisely. Show the exact skills, methods, and experience the vacancy asks for.
- Reach out where appropriate. A concise message to the supervisor can confirm fit before applying.
- Keep your documents ready. With rolling deadlines, being prepared lets you apply as soon as a good role is posted.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Expecting one central "Antwerp scholarship." Funding is per-position and research-based.
- Fixating on a position count. Numbers like a set total are snapshots; the real list changes continuously.
- Sending generic applications. Each project wants a specific, tailored application.
- Overlooking the residence permit. International researchers should plan the visa process early.
After your position
A funded PhD or postdoc at Antwerp is salaried research experience at a strong European university, building your publications, network, and credentials. Belgium offers routes for researchers to extend their stay for further research or work after a contract, subject to current immigration rules, and Antwerp's location makes collaboration across Europe straightforward. Many researchers move on to further academic posts or industry roles from here.
Apply and confirm the details
Search current PhD and postdoc vacancies, with their exact terms and deadlines, on the official University of Antwerp jobs portal: University of Antwerp vacancies, official site.
Keep exploring: browse all our scholarships, get ready with our free IELTS and English prep, or read how we verify every listing.
Disclaimer: FoundScholar is an independent information platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the University of Antwerp. Details change and vary by position, so always confirm on the official source before applying.
Frequently asked questions
Are University of Antwerp PhD and postdoc positions scholarships?
Mostly they are funded research positions rather than a single scholarship. In Belgium, PhD researchers are typically supported either by a tax-free doctoral grant (bursary) or an employment contract, and postdocs by a salaried contract. Either way you receive a monthly income to live on, there are no tuition barriers to the research, and you apply to specific advertised positions rather than one central scholarship.
How much do they pay?
Belgian PhD funding is relatively generous. Doctoral researchers commonly receive a net monthly amount in the region of 2,300 to 2,700 euros (a tax-free bursary is often around this level), while postdoctoral salaries are higher and depend on experience. Exact figures vary by funding source, scale, and position, and each vacancy states its own terms.
Who can apply and in which fields?
International applicants of all nationalities are welcome, and there is no application fee. Positions span many faculties, including engineering, sciences, medicine and biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical and veterinary sciences, mathematics, social sciences, design, business and economics, and development policy. For a PhD you need a relevant master's; for a postdoc, a completed PhD.
How do I apply and when are the deadlines?
You apply to individual vacancies through the University of Antwerp jobs portal, choosing a project that matches your expertise and submitting a CV, transcripts, and a research or motivation statement. There is no single deadline, because positions are advertised on a rolling basis and each has its own closing date, so check the portal regularly.