There are plenty of opportunities for international candidates to do their doctoral training in Europe as part of a MSCA Innovative Training Network (ITN)
MSCA ITN are part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). This is a budget line in the EC's Framework Programme for Research, Science and Innovation - currently called HOIRZON 2020 - which is earmarked for activities that equip researchers with the necessary skills and international experience for a successful career, either in the public or the private sector.
Each MSCA Innovative Training Network (ITN) brings together universities, research institutes and other sectors from across Europe (and the world) to train researchers to doctorate level to become future leaders in their field.
The aim of each MSCA ITN is to train a new generation of creative, entrepreneurial and innovative early-stage researchers able to face current and future challenges and to convert knowledge and ideas into products and services for economic and social benefits.
MSCA ITNs are a great opportunity for European and international researchers to obtain world-class PhD training!
There are three types of Innovative Training Networks:
1. European Training Networks (ETN)
Researchers gain experience of different working environments while developing transferable skills.
2. European Industrial Doctorates (EID)
Joint doctoral training delivered by at least one academic partner entitled to award doctoral degrees, and at least one partner from outside academia, primarily enterprise. Each participating researcher is enrolled in a doctoral programme and is jointly supervised by supervisors from the academic and non-academic sector, where they spend at least 50% of their time.
The aim is for the doctoral candidates to develop skills inside and outside academia that respond to public and private sector needs.
3. European Joint Doctorates (EJD):
A minimum of 3 academic organisations form a network with the aim of delivering joint, double or multiple degrees. Joint supervision of the research fellow and a joint governance structure are mandatory. The aim is to promote international, inter-sectorial and multi/interdisciplinary collaboration in doctoral training in Europe.
Who can apply and how?
Each MSCA ITN creates a number of specific PhD positions each looking for a candidate with a specific profile (think of it as a job advert). Importantly, all open PhD positions are advertised on the EURAXESS jobs portal: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/search.
PhD positions on MSCA ITN are open to early-stage researcher (ESR). This means researchers in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers who have not been awarded a doctoral degree. Full-time equivalent research experience is measured from the date when the researcher obtained the degree entitling him or her to embark on a doctorate – either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited – even if a doctorate was never started or envisaged. Part-time research experience is counted pro-rata.
In the jobs portal you can use the research tools to refine your search. In the menu shown in the figure above you can select your research field, the sector in which you would like to be recruited, as well as your preferred destination country.
Remember that the positions offered by MSCA ITNs are open only to researchers who fall in the category of ESR and are part of the H2020/Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
Among the partners that form the Innovative Training Networks, international and intergovernmental organisations and large companies are generally not included, therefore applicants should be careful when selecting their preferred sector, to avoid making the research results excessively limited or null.
Where do I apply?
Remember: Applicants apply for the position of their choice directly to the respective MSCA ITN that has advertised the open vacancy!
Each vacancy contains information on the training network (which institutions are involved?, in which countries are the network partners based? what is the research focus of the network?), information on the open PhD positions, the eligibility criteria, the application and selection process. Each post will also contain a link to the hompage of the ITN that has posted the offer for interested candidates to find out more ot to get in touch for further details.
Are the positions funded?
MSCA funding is open to PhD students of all disciplines, and all nationalities, for up to four years.
Living allowance
A monthly allowance is paid to the MSCA ITN Fellow in monthly instalments by his/her host institution. The amount varies depending on the country in which he/she will work and study. The average payment is €3,110 per month.
Mobility allowance
The Mobility Allowance contributes costs related to travel, accommodation, and related expenses while undertaking projects through an ITN. The allowance is around €600 per month.
Family allowance
A Family Allowance of €500 per month is available to MSCA ITN Fellows that are classed as having family, regardless of whether the family will move with the Fellow to Europe or not.
Useful links:
If you want to learn more, watch this recording of our recent webinar on "How to do a funded PhD in Europe?"
Three MSCA Fellows from ASEAN share their experience, tips & advice:
Dr Wicak Ananduta, post-doctoral researcher at the Delft Center for Systems and Control (DCSC) at TU Delft in the Netherlands
Ms Vanessa Xavier, final year PhD student in the area of molecular mechanisms at the University of Geneva in Switzerland
Ms Gladys Langi, PhD candidate at the Medical University of Bialystok, Poland
Search the EURAXESS Jobs database now and find your PhD position in Europe!