

Care for education
We encourage our PhD candidates to see a project as more than simply a vehicle to write a PhD thesis but also as an opportunity for self development.
read moreCare for education
The training we offer not only focuses on skills that are needed for a successful completion of the project but also on competences required to take the next career step to either academic or non-academic functions.The program takes place within a KNAW-accredited research school in the context of a nationally and internationally oriented, ambitious scientific community and state-of-the-art research facilities. All candidates conduct their research in a personal supervisors-trainee setting. We disapprove a single supervisor for a candidate.
We motivate all our candidates – also those without a medical background – to attend outpatient clinics / surgery / public health settings in order to optimally identify themselves with the subject of their project. A broad range of subject-related and methodology-related courses is available to obtain the skills needed for the project. In addition to this, training opportunities are offered that help the candidates reaching their personal goals beyond the project, such as scientific integrity and personal leadership.
The graduate school takes the quality of the courses and teaching very seriously. All teachers are required to obtain a teaching qualification that fits their role in the school. Also, every course is evaluated by the candidates each time it is taught.
PhD phases
Registration checklist
for starting your PhD read moreKeeping on track
for current PhD candidates read moreGraduation information
for completing your PhD read more
Education RIHS Introduction Course for PhD candidates
Date: 16 June 2022
This 1.5 day course is offered by the Radboud Institute for Health Sciences and is mandatory for PhD candidates at that institute.
read more
Courses for competencies and transferable skills
Have a look at the courses on offer for PhD candidates at Radboudumc.
read moreA vibrant workplace dealing with PhD stress
At Radboudumc, you work in a dynamic and innovative working environment that offers you a lot but can also be demanding at times. It also requires us to keep an eye on our own performance, pay attention to our colleagues, and continue to make time for our passion and inspiration: the focus on the human scale. read more
Radboud Da Vinci Challenge
This one-year program for excellent PhD candidates with special professional qualities focuses on participants’ broad personal development. They take part in interesting discussions about fundamental issues under the supervision of top lecturers from various disciplines. read more
Frequently Asked Questions RIHS PhD program
See if the answer to your question is answered here. Otherwise you can contact rihs@radboudumc.nl
read moreFrequently Asked Questions RIHS PhD program
FAQs
Below you will find some frequently asked questions. If your question is not covered please contact rihs@radboudumc.nl of phone 14639.
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How can I check if I am registered at the RIHS Graduate School?
You are registered at the RIHS Graduate School if you have received the mail with information for new PhD candidates.
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In this Cheat Sheet you find useful information for starting PhD candidates.
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Why is it important for me to complete a Training & Supervision Plan (TSP)?
The Training & Supervision Plan (TSP) is an important tool for you to monitor your progress throughout your PhD. It clearly states who you supervisors are, your mentor as well as other important information such as goals to be achieved each year. The TSP is an integral part of your annual appraisal discussions with your supervisor(s) and should be updated on a yearly basis.
This has been compulsory since 1 March 2016 for all PhD candidates who have a fixed employment contract with Radboudumc for the duration of the PhD track (see RadboudumcTraining Regulation). This regulation will also apply by analogy as far as possible to employees who are enrolled in a PhD track but are not employed by Radboud university medical center as researcher in training.
For promotions from 2018 onwards, the promotional bonus awarded to the department of the first promotor is dependent on having an approved TSP. There must be at least 2 years between submission of the approved TSP and the date of PhD defense.Where can I find the latest forms?
You should always use the latest version of the TSP forms. They can be found on the download page of the PhD program website.Do I need to update my TSP every year?
Yes. Within 3 months from the start date of your contract you should submit a completed registration form in Hora Est PhD. Annually you should complete a Progress Form.When should I complete the Exit Form?
The Exit Form should be completed at the end of your PhD period at the time of submission of your thesis to the manuscript committee or immediately upon premature termination of your project.I have decided to stop my PhD what should I do?
Please inform the RIHS Graduate School of your decision. -
Why is it important for me to have a mentor?
As an independent person the mentor can monitor your progress or give career advice. Importantly, should any problems or difficulties arise, the mentor is available for help. You should meet your mentor minimally on a yearly basis. Mentor guidelines are available here.How do I get a mentor?
You are requested to suggest a personal mentor and you should invite this person by yourself. A mentor should be an associate or full professor who does not work in your department and who is not involved in your PhD project.How often should I contact my mentor?
You should meet with your mentor at the start of your project and once per year thereafter. It is your responsibility to arrange a yearly meeting with the mentor. In case of problems you should contact your mentor immediately.For more information
click here
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If there are changes concerning promotors and/or co-promotors, Marloes de Jonge can adapt this in Hora Est.
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Why is the peer-2-peer welcome meeting necessary?
PhD candidate members of the PhD council will meet you in a small group of fellow PhD candidates that have just started to provide background information about the RIHS PhD program and other PhD related affairs. It is a great way to meet some of your colleagues and get handy tips for success!What is the difference between the Radboudumc introduction meeting and the peer-2-peer welcome?
The Radboudumc introduction meeting is a general Radboudumc introduction and provides more general information regarding topics such as the goals, structure and organization of Radboudumc. The peer-2-peer welcome is specific for the RIHS, and focuses more on the RIHS PhD program. As both introductions are complementary, you should follow both. -
What is the RIHS Introduction course and is it compulsory?
This course is mandatory and will provide you with insights, tips and tricks at the start of your PhD track. The course answers questions such as:
In what kind of environment am I doing my research? What is the research climate here? What is expected from me as a PhD candidate? What do I have to do to be successful given the time constraints? What drives me in my research? What are my talents and how do I exploit these optimally? Is the academic world my world or should I also focus on career opportunities elsewhere? Can I wait with such orientation until the final stage of my PhD or should I start earlier?
This course is offered 3 times a year, immediately following the Radboudumc international introduction day.
See our website for the tentative program.What does the RIHS introduction course cost?
The RIHS introduction course is completely free. Course material, dinner, pubquiz and lunch are included. -
Most answers and downloads
can be found in the time-line for new PhD candidates.
How can I log in in Hora Est PhD?Please check our user manual for PhD candidates or the manual for supervisors, promotors and mentors.
What is Hora Est and is it compulsory to complete?
It is mandatory for all PhD candidates of the Radboud University (Medical Center), which includes the RIHS, to register in Hora Est. Hora Est is a database that can monitor the progress of every PhD candidate from the beginning till the end of his/her PhD project.
The Hora Est form must be signed by yourself and your supervisor and sent to Hora est together with your copy diploma. You do not have to get the signature from the Dean - this will be arranged by us once we have received your application.Postal address hora est
Postbus Hora Est
624 Concernstaf Strategieontwikkeling
Or:
Radboudumc / Postbus Hora Est
624 Concernstaf Strategie
P.O. Box 9101
6500 HB Nijmegen
The Netherlands
Who can I ask for help completing Hora Est
More about Hora Est can be found in the time-line for new PhD candidates. If this doesn't help you can send an email to horaest@radboudumc.nl or phone 92499. -
If you do not have a Master's degree, you have to mention this in Hora Est.
As a master student, you formally do not meet the requirements to be admitted to the PhD trajectory. Therefore you can not participate in the RIHS graduate program until you have a contract as a PhD candidate.
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Sponsoring thesis 250 euro
The condition for this sponsoring by the Institute is that you fulfill these requirements.
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There is no minimum number of EC points that you have to achieve during your PhD trajectory.
European Credits (EC) are primarily meant to quantify transferable skills and competencies learnt. As such work placements spent in other laboratories do not count for EC points. One EC equates to 28 hours of study.
Below a standardized number of points awarded per course by using specific examples. This is by no mean an exhaustive list of possibilities. Totals should be rounded up/down as appropriate. For your portfolio, group similar events together per year.
Course type + self participation Duration
Self study / preparation time EC points Additional info Technical forum 2 hours < 1 hour 0.1 Workshop, masterclass 4 hours 1-2 hours 0.2 Workshop 1 week < 10 hours 1.75 Online workshop - 1 week 1.25 Certificate of completion required Visiting a seminar, lecture 1-3 hours - 0.1 Visiting scientific conference 1 day - 0.25 Giving oral or poster presentation at Local or National event - 7 hours 0.25 In addition to EC’s gained by visiting event Giving oral or poster presentation at International event - 14 hours 0.5 In addition to EC’s gained by visiting event PhD retreat excluding oral or poster presentation 2 days 0.5 Journal club 12 in total 4 1 Assuming one journal club is presented by student Student internship coaching 3 months - 1 Approx 30 min supervision per day Teaching 1 1 0.1 1 hour preparation time per hour contact teaching Committee chairperson or secretary Per year - 1 Committee member Per year - 0.5 Organizing a Workshop / Technical Forum - 14 0.5 Co-organizing a 1-2 day PhD retreat - 56 2 Co-organizing a 1-2 day conference - 56 2 Review scientific publication - 1-3 hours 0.1 Writing a blog post about your PhD - 3 hours 0.1 Making a vlog about your PhD - 6 hours 0.2 -
What are the requirements for a thesis?
See for the requirements of a doctoral thesis here.
What contributions can I expect for thesis printing costs?
The maximum reimbursement is 2,200 Euro for each PhD candidate.
For further details, please consult the time-line for graduating PhD candidates or go to www.ru.nl/phd. -
What does the PhD Council do?
- Taking responsiblity for PhD program design, evaluation, and policy
- Participate in Training and supervision committee
- Organizing general components
- Approving elective components
- Providing a link between PhD candidates and the RIHS management
- Organizing the annual PhD retreat and social events
How can I join the PhD Council?
You would be very welcome to join the PhD Council. You can send an email to the RIHS PhD council. -
For publications, please note the correct affiliation of our institute:
Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department of [name], Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
OR
Radboud university medical center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.

Junior researcher Radboudumc program PhD candidates
Would you like to do a PhD after you earn your Master’s degree? Our research institutes offer PhD candidates a full or part-time interdisciplinary training program that can be tailor-made.
read moreJunior researcher Radboudumc program PhD candidates
Radboudumc's vision is to train junior researchers who have the intrinsic ambition to have a significant impact on healthcare and become highly qualified independent scientists. Our research institutes offer PhD candidates a full or part-time interdisciplinary training program that can be tailor-made to meet their specific research interests and career goals.
During your PhD, you will focus on scientific research culminating in the defense of a PhD thesis. However, we also believe in the importance of self-development. Therefore, your PhD training should focus on research skills and knowledge as well as competencies required to take your next career step, whether in- or outside academia.
The PhD programs at our three research institutes are recognized by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).
PhD candidates at Radboudumc will be registered at one of the following graduate schools (each are part of one of our research institutes):

RIHS PhD Council
The RIHS PhD Council represents the interests of PhD candidates within the Institute and acts as a liaison between the Institute's management team and its PhD candidates.
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Funding and support
Are you a researcher at Radboudumc and do you wish to obtain a grant, national or international, for your research group or as an individual? To help you get started, we offer an overview of some of the available grants including some funded by Radboudumc. see overviewResearch school CaRe
Part of RIHS, predominantly the departments of Primary and Community Care and IQ healthcare, and the section Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of the department for Health Evidence, participate in the KNAW accredited research school CaRe, the Netherlands school for primary care.
read moreResearch school CaRe
Part of RIHS, predominantly the departments of Primary and Community Care and IQ healthcare, and the section Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of the department for Health Evidence, participate in the KNAW accredited research school CaRe, the Netherlands school for primary care. Other participating institutes are CAPHRI (Maastricht UMC+), NIVEL and APH (Amsterdam Public Health, ). CaRe aims to perform high quality research in the field of primary care and quality of care. Within CaRe courses for PhD candidates and an annual CaRe science day are organised.KNAW
The graduate school of the Radboud Institute for Health Sciences obtained formal accreditation from the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW).In the July 2014 meeting of the Accreditation Committee Graduate Schools (ECOS) of the KNAW, it was decided that the PhD training and supervision as well as the organization of the Institute as a graduate school meets all the necessary criteria. The accreditation is valid for a period of 6 years. With this, all PhD candidates in the Radboudumc, can obtain their doctorate in an accredited graduate school. The Donders Institute and Radboud Institute for Molecular Sciences were already on the KNAW list.
News item at KNAW website.
Training and Supervision Committee
The RIHS Training and Supervision Plan (TSP) Committee aims to ensure that all RIHS PhD candidates receive appropriate and individualized training and supervision during their appointment.
PhD Council
The RIHS PhD council aims to safeguard the interests of all PhD candidates in the institute.