The University of Luxembourg YADIAS Doctoral Fellowship 2027 is now open to qualified researchers interested in pursuing a doctoral degree through an international, interdisciplinary and research-focused programme in Luxembourg. The Young Academics Doctoral Fellows IAS (YADIAS) programme will recruit 15 full-time international doctoral candidates for a 48-month programme beginning in June 2027.
Supported through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND initiative under Horizon Europe, the YADIAS programme combines doctoral research with structured career development, international networking and interdisciplinary training. Selected fellows will receive an indicative gross living allowance of €3,841 per month, paid 12 times a year.
One of the programme’s most distinctive features is its bottom-up approach. Rather than requiring applicants to select from a fixed list of doctoral research projects, YADIAS allows candidates to develop their own research topics within the disciplines available at the University of Luxembourg and identify suitable principal and co-supervisors.
Applications are open until 30 November 2026 at 02:00 UTC.
About the University of Luxembourg YADIAS Doctoral Fellowship
The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a strong focus on multilingualism, interdisciplinarity and international collaboration. Its research community includes staff from more than 90 countries and maintains partnerships with European institutions, companies, government bodies, NGOs and other organisations.
The YADIAS programme is hosted by the university’s Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS), which was established in 2020 to strengthen interdisciplinary research and attract international research talent.
The institute focuses on four broad objectives:
- Supporting bold and interdisciplinary research at the forefront of science.
- Promoting excellence, interdisciplinarity and internationality.
- Connecting the University of Luxembourg with international researchers and the wider public.
- Helping attract and retain international research talent.
Through YADIAS, the university is extending this mission to early-stage researchers who want to pursue doctoral studies in an internationally connected research environment.
What Does the YADIAS Programme Offer?
YADIAS is a 48-month doctoral research and career development programme designed for 15 international doctoral candidates.
The programme goes beyond conventional doctoral training by combining individual research with interdisciplinary, international and intersectoral development.
Selected fellows will have the opportunity to:
- Conduct a four-year doctoral research project.
- Develop a research topic based on their own academic interests.
- Choose a principal supervisor and co-supervisor.
- Work across disciplinary boundaries.
- Develop advanced expertise in their main research field.
- Expand their knowledge of other academic disciplines.
- Build international research networks.
- Strengthen their employability and transferable skills.
- Prepare for future academic or non-academic research careers.
- Work toward the award of a doctoral degree.
The programme is particularly suitable for researchers who already have a clear research direction but want the academic freedom and international environment to develop that idea further.
A Bottom-Up Approach to Doctoral Research
A major advantage of the YADIAS programme is its bottom-up research model.
In many doctoral programmes, candidates apply to a predefined research project developed by a professor or research group. YADIAS takes a different approach.
Candidates are given the opportunity to propose their own research topic, provided that the proposed research fits within the disciplines available at the University of Luxembourg.
Applicants can also identify their preferred principal and co-supervisors.
This approach gives prospective fellows greater ownership of their doctoral research from the beginning. It also encourages researchers to develop projects that bring together different academic perspectives.
For candidates whose research interests do not fit neatly into one discipline, this interdisciplinary structure may be particularly relevant.
Available Research Fields
The YADIAS Doctoral Fellowship is open across a broad range of research areas.
The advertised opportunity lists fields including:
- Educational sciences
- Architecture
- Biological sciences
- Chemistry
- Cultural studies
- Economics
- Engineering
- Geography
- Environmental science
- History
- Juridical sciences
- Literature
- Management sciences
- Sociology
- Mathematics
- Medical sciences
- Physics
The broad disciplinary scope means applicants from different academic backgrounds can potentially develop research projects within the programme.
However, applicants should ensure that their proposed project fits the University of Luxembourg’s available academic expertise and that suitable supervision can be established.
Who Can Apply for the YADIAS Doctoral Fellowship?
The programme is intended for international doctoral candidates who meet the academic and language requirements for doctoral admission at the University of Luxembourg.
Academic requirement
Applicants must hold a:
Master’s degree or equivalent qualification.
The position is classified as a First Stage Researcher (R1) opportunity, corresponding to researchers at the early stage of their research careers.
A relevant academic background is expected because applicants must develop a viable doctoral research project within one of the university’s available disciplines.
Language requirement
Applicants must demonstrate at least B2-level proficiency in the language of their thesis.
For applicants whose doctoral research will be conducted in English, this means they should be prepared to demonstrate the required level of English proficiency through the accepted documentation or certificates specified by the University of Luxembourg.
Applicants should consult the university’s doctoral admission requirements for details concerning accepted language certificates.
International Mobility and Research Environment
YADIAS is based on incoming mobility, making it particularly relevant to researchers who want to pursue their doctoral studies in Luxembourg as part of an international research career.
The University of Luxembourg offers a highly international environment, with researchers and staff from more than 90 countries.
Fellows will also be part of a research ecosystem connected to a variety of organisations, including:
- European institutions
- Innovative companies
- The Luxembourg financial centre
- Ministries
- Local governments
- NGOs
- Associations
- Other professional and non-academic organisations
These connections are important because YADIAS is designed not only to develop academic expertise but also to expose researchers to professional environments beyond the university.
Interdisciplinary and Career Development Training
YADIAS places strong emphasis on preparing doctoral candidates for careers both inside and outside academia.
During the programme, fellows will deepen their knowledge within their main discipline while developing broader interdisciplinary skills.
The programme is also intended to improve:
- Research expertise
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- International networking
- Employability
- Career planning
- Preparation for postdoctoral funding
- Transition into careers beyond academia
This makes YADIAS more than a doctoral funding opportunity. It is structured as a broader research training and career development programme.
The ultimate goal is to help fellows build the scientific and professional skills needed for advanced research careers.
Fellowship Funding and Employment Conditions
Successful candidates will receive a competitive contract and research conditions from the University of Luxembourg.
The advertised indicative gross living allowance is €3,841 per month at the start of the project.
The allowance is based on a full-time equivalent position and is paid 12 times per year.
That corresponds to an indicative gross annual amount of approximately €46,092 before applicable deductions.
The position is:
- Full-time
- 40 hours per week
- Temporary contract
- Four-year duration
- Expected to begin on 1 June 2027
Applicants should remember that the €3,841 figure is a gross amount, meaning the amount actually received after applicable deductions may be lower.
How the YADIAS Selection Process Works
The University of Luxembourg states that its YADIAS recruitment follows the principles of Open, Transparent and Merit-Based Recruitment (OTM-R).
Selection decisions are based on international peer review.
An important part of the process is matching candidates with appropriate supervisors.
The university specifically warns that the matchmaking stage can take considerable time. Applicants are therefore strongly encouraged to begin preparing their application well before the deadline.
This is particularly important for candidates proposing their own research projects because they need enough time to identify suitable academic supervisors and develop a strong research proposal.
How to Apply for the University of Luxembourg YADIAS Fellowship
Interested candidates should follow these steps when preparing their application.
1. Review the YADIAS programme
Begin by reviewing the official YADIAS information and determining whether your academic background and research interests fit the programme.
Pay particular attention to the available research disciplines and doctoral admission requirements.
2. Develop your research idea
Since YADIAS uses a bottom-up model, applicants should develop a clear research idea rather than waiting to select from a list of predetermined projects.
Your research idea should be academically sound and relevant to one or more of the disciplines supported by the University of Luxembourg.
If your topic crosses multiple disciplines, explain how the different areas contribute to the research problem.
3. Identify potential supervisors
Applicants should consider potential principal and co-supervisors whose expertise matches their proposed research.
Do not leave this step until the final days before the deadline because supervisor matchmaking can take considerable time.
4. Prepare the required documents
Applicants should consult the official YADIAS application documents and templates to determine exactly what must be submitted.
The programme provides dedicated documents and templates through its official website.
5. Submit through the correct application portal
This is particularly important.
The University of Luxembourg states that applications must be submitted exclusively through the dedicated YADIAS application link.
Applications submitted through the general “Apply” button associated with the vacancy will not be reviewed or forwarded.
Candidates should therefore use the official YADIAS application portal when submitting their application.
Important Dates and Details
Here are the key details prospective applicants should know:
Opportunity: Young Academics Doctoral Fellows IAS (YADIAS)
Institution: University of Luxembourg
Location: Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
Opportunity type: Doctoral Fellowship / Research Position
Duration: 48 months
Number of positions: 15
Education requirement: Master’s degree or equivalent
Researcher profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Contract: Temporary
Work arrangement: Full-time
Working hours: 40 hours per week
Indicative gross living allowance: €3,841 per month
Payment: 12 times per year
Expected start date: 1 June 2027
Deadline: 30 November 2026 at 02:00 UTC
Funding framework: Horizon Europe – COFUND
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement: 101260750
Why Applicants Should Start Early
Although the application deadline is 30 November 2026, prospective candidates should not wait until November to begin preparing.
The YADIAS programme specifically highlights the time required for candidate-supervisor matchmaking.
Applicants proposing their own research project will need time to:
- Develop and refine their research idea.
- Identify relevant academic expertise at the University of Luxembourg.
- Contact or engage with potential supervisors where appropriate.
- Prepare the required documents.
- Review the doctoral admission requirements.
- Confirm their language eligibility.
- Complete the dedicated application process.
Starting early can also give applicants time to strengthen their research proposal and ensure that all required documents are ready before submission.
Application Portal
Interested candidates should use the official YADIAS application portal to submit their applications.
Deadline: 30 November 2026 at 02:00 UTC
Apply Here
University of Luxembourg YADIAS Application Portal
Download Application Documents and Templates Here
YADIAS Downloads and Links
The University of Luxembourg YADIAS Doctoral Fellowship 2027 offers 15 international researchers the opportunity to undertake a four-year doctoral programme in Luxembourg while developing advanced research, interdisciplinary and professional skills. The programme combines individual research freedom with international collaboration, career development and strong links to academic and non-academic organisations.
With an indicative gross living allowance of €3,841 per month, a 48-month duration and the opportunity to develop an individual research project across a broad range of disciplines, YADIAS is designed for early-stage researchers who are ready to take the next step in their research careers.
Eligible Master’s graduates interested in pursuing doctoral research at the University of Luxembourg should begin preparing early, particularly because supervisor matchmaking can require significant time.
The application deadline is 30 November 2026 at 02:00 UTC. Applications must be submitted through the dedicated YADIAS application portal.
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