Finding PhD and Research Posts on ERC-Funded Projects in Europe

What the ERC funds

The European Research Council (ERC) funds excellent, investigator-driven "frontier" research across all fields. Its main grants — Starting, Consolidator and Advanced — are awarded to an individual Principal Investigator (PI) to run an ambitious research project at a European host institution.

Importantly, the ERC funds the PI's project, not a degree programme. When a PI wins a grant, they typically use part of it to build a team — which usually means recruiting PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers onto the project. Those team posts are how a PhD candidate connects to ERC funding.

How ERC posts differ from a degree application

Applying to an ERC-funded post is closer to applying for a research job than to applying to a taught programme. You join a specific lab or group to work on the funded project's aims, under the PI's direction, and you are usually recruited as an employed researcher by the host institution.

You still enrol for the doctorate under the host university's doctoral regulations, but the entry point is the advertised team position. Each post's contract, duration and requirements are set by the host and the project, so read the vacancy carefully and confirm on the official source.

How to identify ERC project groups

Because posts attach to specific funded projects, the practical task is finding PIs who currently hold ERC grants in your area. The ERC and EU publish information on funded projects and grantees, and PIs and their host departments advertise resulting vacancies.

• Browse the ERC's funded-projects information to identify PIs and topics in your field
• Check the host university's department and group pages for current grants
• Read the PI's recent publications to confirm a genuine research fit
• Watch EURAXESS and the group's pages for advertised PhD/postdoc openings
• Note the host institution — your contract and enrolment are with them

Applying to a position attached to a grant

When an ERC-funded group advertises a PhD or postdoc post, apply through the channel stated in the vacancy — usually the host institution's recruitment system or a direct application to the group. A strong, specific application that shows you understand the project's aims and how your skills contribute tends to stand out.

If no post is advertised but the fit is strong, a concise, well-targeted expression of interest to the PI can be appropriate. Always follow the host's official application instructions and verify deadlines and requirements on the official source.

Eligibility and practicalities

Eligibility for a team post is set by the PI and the host institution — typically a relevant degree, the right skills for the project, references, and English (or another working language) proficiency where required. Nationality is generally open, since ERC team members are recruited internationally.

If you are coming from outside the EU/EEA you will usually need a student or researcher visa or residence permit from the host country. This is general information, not immigration advice — verify the current requirements on the official government source for that country.