- Employed doctoral researcher — salary scale, social security, fixed-term contract (common in DE, NL, Nordic countries).
- Stipend / fellowship — monthly grant for living costs; may or may not include tuition waivers.
- Project / grant-funded post — funded from a specific research grant with a defined work package.
- Institute programme place — admission to a graduate school with a published funding package.
Common models
What to verify on the official page
Gross vs net pay, duration, teaching load, tuition fees for non-EU candidates, and whether family or relocation allowances exist. Aggregators summarise; institutes decide.
Frequently asked questions
Are European PhDs usually paid?
In many agri and life-science institutes yes — via employment contracts or stipends — but models differ by country. Always check whether the offer is a salary, a fellowship, or tuition-only support.
What is the difference between a stipend and an employment contract?
An employment contract typically includes salary scale and social security. A stipend is a grant for living costs and may treat you as a student rather than staff. Rights and taxes differ.
Where do I verify the real funding package?
On the official institute or call page. Our listings summarise publicly available information; the host’s offer letter is authoritative.
Next step