University of Groningen PhD and Postdoc Positions

If you want a paid research position in Europe, this is one of those opportunities you should check carefully.

The University of Groningen in the Netherlands is currently hiring for several PhD and Postdoc positions in 2026. These are not ordinary scholarships where you only receive a stipend. They are employment based research positions, meaning selected candidates receive monthly salary support while working on a defined research project.

we are focusing on four strong openings: AI Governance and Regulation, Energy Systems Modelling and Optimization, Behavioural Neuroscience, and Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery.

The important thing is this: each position has its own deadline, salary, requirements and application documents. Do not apply blindly. Read the details, pick the role that fits your background, and prepare your application like someone who understands the project.

University of Groningen Positions Summary

Why You Should Take These Positions Seriously

The University of Groningen is not presenting these roles as one general scholarship. These are separate paid academic vacancies.

That means your application must be targeted. A strong application for AI governance will not look like a strong application for medicinal chemistry. A postdoc in energy modelling will not require the same profile as a PhD in behavioural neuroscience.

This is where many applicants fail. They see “fully funded” or “paid position” and send the same CV and cover letter everywhere. Do not do that here.

The official vacancy pages are clear about the research focus, salary, deadline and documents. Your job is to show that your background matches one specific role.

1. PhD Position in AI Governance and Regulation

This is one of the most attractive positions in the list because it sits inside a very timely field: Artificial Intelligence governance, regulation, digital rights and citizen empowerment.

The University of Groningen is offering a fully funded PhD position for empirical legal research on the governance of AI, with a focus on the Netherlands and the European Union. The successful candidate will work across disciplines with AI researchers, legal scholars, political economists and stakeholders from healthcare, business, public governance and civil society. The deadline is 29 May 2026, and the salary is €3,059 to €3,881 gross per month.

This position is part of the DECIDE Project, which focuses on transparent and citizen empowering AI systems. The project brings together Dutch universities, academic researchers and societal partners to study AI supported decision making in areas such as healthcare, mobility, public governance and healthy living.

You should consider this role if your background is in AI governance, law, digital policy, data protection, AI ethics, public policy, political economy, empirical legal research, data science or philosophy.

Here is the hidden part: the application requires a research proposal of up to 1,500 words answering how AI regulation and governance can empower Dutch citizens. The official page also states that generic and obviously AI generated applications will not be considered.

So, if you apply, do not send a lazy proposal. Pick a clear angle, maybe AI in healthcare, public services or citizen rights, then show that you understand both the legal and technical sides of the topic.

If you want another strong Europe based fully funded PhD in computer science, you should also compare this with the Bocconi University Fully Funded PhD Fellowship 2026, especially if your interest is more on statistics, computer science and computational research.

2. Postdoc in Energy Systems Modelling and Optimization

This postdoc is for researchers interested in the future of energy.

The University of Groningen is hiring a Postdoctoral Researcher to work on energy modelling, optimization and analysis of diverse energy mixes, with a strong focus on hydrogen based systems. The position is at the Faculty of Economics and Business, with a deadline of 15 June 2026 and a salary range of €3,546 to €6,433 gross per month.

The selected researcher will work on European Commission projects and Dutch Research Council funded national projects focused on energy systems logistics. Tasks may include analysing past energy consumption patterns, forecasting future energy scenarios for hydrogen, developing optimization models and creating roadmaps for affordable low carbon energy systems.

This is a good fit for applicants with a PhD in operations research, industrial engineering or a related field, especially those with strong mathematical modelling and optimization skills. Experience in energy related projects is useful, but the university also welcomes candidates who are motivated to learn and apply energy systems modelling.

This role is not just about publishing papers. You will also present research findings, prepare progress reports and publish in peer reviewed journals and international conferences. The appointment is full time for two years, starting with an initial one year contract that can be extended after a positive assessment.

For applicants interested in engineering, AI and optimisation, you may also want to check the University of Tasmania PhD Scholarship 2026 in Engineering. That project is different, but it also connects AI, modelling and engineering design through ship hull optimisation.

3. PhD Position in Behavioural Neuroscience

This PhD position is for applicants interested in sleep, memory, fear, neural circuits and mental health.

The University of Groningen explains that poor sleep is linked to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and neurodegenerative disease. The PhD project will study how sleep disruption and sleep loss affect fear memory formation and the development of maladaptive or traumatic memories. The deadline is 23 May 2026, and the salary is €3,059 to €3,881 gross per month.

The selected candidate will work for four years at the interface of behaviour, neural circuits and molecular mechanisms. The project uses advanced techniques such as chemogenetics, optogenetics and activity dependent engram tagging in mice, combined with molecular and structural readouts such as cFos expression and dendritic spine density.

This role is suitable for applicants with a Master’s degree in biology or biomedical sciences, relevant experience in behavioural neuroscience, and a strong interest in learning and memory research. Experience with animal research, preferably rodent research, is essential. Experience with surgical techniques, optogenetics or memory engram technologies is an advantage.

The hidden truth here is simple: this is not a general neuroscience PhD. If your CV does not clearly show animal research, behavioural neuroscience or memory research fit, your application may look weak. Bring the relevant experience forward quickly.

If your interest is more in cell biology, biotechnology and biomedical research in Italy, you should also read the Sapienza University of Rome PhD Scholarship 2026 in Italy. It is a different research area, but it may be a better match for applicants focused on molecular and cellular biology.

4. Postdoctoral Position in Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery

This postdoc is for researchers who want to help build a new research direction in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.

The University of Groningen says the research group is launching a complementary line in medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, while its core expertise is in methodology development and the synthesis of natural and unnatural products. The deadline is 31 May 2026, and the salary is €3,546 to €4,075 gross per month.

The selected postdoc will develop binders targeting nuclear receptors, evaluate selectivity, physicochemical properties and metabolic stability, contribute to a European Union funded consortium project, and supervise bachelor’s and master’s students.

Applicants need a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry or a closely related field, proven expertise in assay development, strong communication skills in English and willingness to learn new techniques. Prior work with nuclear receptors is listed as desirable experience.

This role is based within the Groningen Research Institute of Pharmacy, which connects pharmaceutical sciences with clinical and biomedical sciences, chemistry, mathematics, engineering and physics.

If you apply, make your cover letter specific. Mention medicinal chemistry, assay development, nuclear receptors, drug discovery and how your previous research can help the group build this new research direction.

General Benefits

For the PhD positions, the salary is €3,059 to €3,881 gross per month. For the postdoc roles, the salary range depends on the specific position.

The University of Groningen also lists 232 vacation hours per year, 8.3% end of year bonus, 8% holiday allowance, and opportunities for personal and professional development across the listed vacancies.

How to Apply

You should apply through the official University of Groningen vacancy page for the exact position you want.

Do not use a third party form. Open the official vacancy, click the Apply now button, and upload the requested documents.

For most of these positions, you will need a CV and cover letter. Some roles require extra documents. For example, the AI Governance PhD requires a motivation letter, research proposal, diplomas, grades, proof of English proficiency, academic references and, if available, an academic writing sample.

More Opportunities You Should Check

If your background is in agriculture, robotics, computer vision or smart farming, check the University of Georgia Fully Funded PhD Assistantship 2027 in USA. It is a strong option for applicants who want to combine engineering, AI and agriculture.

You can also compare this roundup with the University of Tasmania PhD Scholarship 2026 in Engineering, especially if your interest is in AI, CFD, engineering design and clean transport.

The University of Groningen PhD and Postdoc Positions 2026 in Netherlands are strong opportunities, but they are not one single scholarship program.

They are separate paid academic jobs. Choose the one that fits your background, read the official vacancy carefully and apply before the deadline.

The strongest applicants will not be the people who apply to everything. The strongest applicants will be the ones who understand one project deeply and prove they are ready for it.