The Interuniversity Center for Social Science Theory and Methodology (ICS) is an institute for postgraduate studies of the University of Groningen, Utrecht University and the University of Nijmegen. The ICS offers a postgraduate program for a small selection of excellent graduates in one of the social sciences (including economics, history, mathematics or computer sciences). The structured program consists of training in advanced theory construction and research methods by means of courses, tutorials and individual study. Supervision and monitoring are intense: each PhD student is supported by a personal supervision team and meeting on a regular basis. At the end of four years our PhD students will have finished his or her dissertation, ready to enter the growing market for highly trained researchers in the social sciences.

Training and thesis supervision are given in English. As the ICS is a joint venture of the universities of Groningen, Utrecht and Nijmegen, PhD students reside either in Utrecht, Groningen or Nijmegen. Courses are given alternatingly in Groningen, Utrecht and Nijmegen, with each group commuting during the nine week period of each course.
The ICS is well equipped with personal computers (connected to the mainframes via networks) and with advanced software for text editing, statistical analysis, data entry and manipulation, simulation and network analyses. In addition, the ICS has access to a network of experts to whom the PhD's can turn if necessary.

While many PhD programs elsewhere offer appointments for at most three years, ICS PhD students enjoy a four-year appointment, presuming a positive evaluation after the first year. Moreover, ICS PhD students enjoy rather comfortable conditions, certainly compared to opportunities for PhD students in other countries. The generous scholarships fully cover tuition, research and living expenses. There are no tuition fees.

The program (in English) begins September 1st, 2010.

Recruitment and selection
Project proposals
Research lines
How to Apply

In August 2009, the ICS NWO PhD training programme received one of the nine grants in the prestigious new Graduate Programme