Facts and Figures

The Department of Earth Sciences is the largest academic Earth Sciences institute in the Netherlands, and among the larger ones in Europe. With over 175 researchers and PhD students we have established an international centre of excellence in scientific research and research training that actively contributes to addressing the challenges we face in developing a modern, sustainable society.

Below we present some key data on staff composition and student numbers. Note that the teaching programmes are jointly offered with our sister-Department of Physical Geography.

Follow the links in the left hand menu for more data and information about our department.

Composition of academic research staff per December 31, 2022.
This excludes honorary staff and  approx.55 external PhD candidates.

academic faculty (full prof / associate prof / assistant prof)57
research associates (postdocs)30
internal PhD candidates (incl. out of contract)92
Total179

Of which of non-Dutch origin: 52%

Input in research, distributed by funding source
(in percentage of total nominal research time over Jan - Dec 2022)

Direct funding (main)15%
Direct funding (additional and/or competitive)2%
Total 1st funding source ("direct funding")17%
NWO Talent programmes15%
NWO/NWA/NSO/etc. Science programmes20%
NWO/TTW Technology programmes5%
Special programmes (e.g. Depth Strategy, Gravity)8%
Total 2nd funding source  ("research grants")48%
ERC Talent programmes16%
EU/EC Science & Technology programmes5%
Companies; Non-academic knowledge institutes;
Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate Policy/RVO
6%
Other, e.g. fellowships & scholarships8%
Total 3rd funding source ("contract research")35%

Registered students in BSc and MSc programmes per October 1, 2021.

BSc Earth Sciences467
MSc Earth, Life & Climate98
MSc Earth Structure & Dynamics98
MSc Earth surface & Water136
MSc Marine Sciences95
Total894

International inflow (across MSc programmes only): 24%