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 (in persons).
This excludes honorary staff and approx.55 external PhD candidates.

 20232022
academic faculty (full prof / associate prof / assistant prof)5557
research associates (postdocs)3431
internal PhD candidates (incl. out of contract)91100
Total180188
of non-Dutch origin55%52%

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

 20232022
Direct funding (main)15%15%
Direct funding (additional and/or competitive)2%2%
Total 1st & 6th funding source ("direct funding")17%17%
NWO Talent programmes14%15%
NWO/NWA/NSO/etc. Science programmes23%20%
NWO/TTW Technology programmes4%5%
Special programmes (e.g. Depth Strategy, Gravity)11%8%
Total 2nd & 5th funding source  ("research grants")52%48%
ERC Talent programmes14%16%
EU/EC Science & Technology programmes5%5%
Companies; Non-academic knowledge institutes;
Ministry of Economic Affairs & Climate Policy/RVO
7%6%
Other, e.g. fellowships & scholarships6%8%
Total 3rd & 4th funding source ("contract research")31%35%

Registered students in BSc and MSc programmes per October 1, 2023.

BSc Earth Sciences457
MSc Earth, Life & Climate105
MSc Earth Structure & Dynamics111
MSc Earth Surface & Water156
MSc Marine Sciences111
Total  (2022: 898)940

International students (only across MSc programmes): 24% (2022: 26%)