Propose a PhD project
A CALL FOR PHD Project PROPOSALS is currently open:
(There will be no General ILL PhD project call in 2025)
EU COFUND "NEXTSTEP" PhD project call: DEADLINE is 4 November 2025
The ILL, ESRF and e-DREAM, together with EMBL, submitted a proposal entitled “NEXTSTEP" to the Horizon Europe MSCA-COFUND call. This proposal was accepted and will support a total of 36 fully-funded PhD studentships, each involving an academic partner and (optionally) an industrial partner.
Herewith, we open a call for interested academic and industrial partners to submit PhD projects with a deadline of 04 November 2025.
PhD projects funded by NEXTSTEP must focus on high-impact, challenge-driven research that is aligned with the Horizon Europe Pillar 2 clusters: “Health”, “Digital, Industry & Space,” Climate, Energy & Mobility”, and “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment”. The underlying concept is to empower future researchers to exploit advanced research infrastructure's analytical techniques in the pursuit of applied research that delivers tangible societal benefits. In view of this, students will be expected to engage in cutting-edge studies across materials science, chemistry, biology, physics, engineering or environmental sciences, leveraging advanced research infrastructure techniques.
Whilst not mandatory, projects are encouraged to make combined use of neutron and/or electron and/or synchrotron X-ray techniques where possible to maximise both training impact and research potential. Similarly, involvement of industrial partners is encouraged in order to deliver one of the goals of “NEXTSTEP” which is to create links with Pillar 3 of Horizon Europe (Innovative Europe) which concentrates on nurturing future innovators and enhancing collaborations amongst industry, educational institutions and research facilities.
What NEXTSTEP expects from the partners:
- A science project driven by excellent science built in cooperation with ILL and/or ESRF scientists.
- The project should be tackling challenges associated with sustainable development and industrial competitiveness in the areas of “Health”, “Digital, Industry & Space”, “Climate, Energy & Mobility” and “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment”, which are at the heart of Horizon Europe.
- To host the student for at least two months (or several shorter visits adding up to at least two months) at their premises within the three-years of the doctoral project.
- Participation in regular PhD project follow-up meetings and attendance to the NEXTSTEP general assemblies.
- According to their capacity, external partners (academic and industrial) are more than welcome to contribute to project costs, although this is not a requirement.
The ILL Industrial Liaison Office will help in making connections to industry if necessary. The implication of an ILL scientist as a co-supervisor is expected in each of the ILL projects.
If you need more information please do not hesitate to contact the ILL Graduate School or the Industrial Liaison Office.
The proposal shall consist of the filled application (docx - 499 Ki) and terms-of-agreement (docx - 1.28 Mi) forms including CV of the partner supervisors and project description.
Note on individual applications
The status of the ILL does not authorise it to award academic degrees. Students can only be assigned to an accepted PhD project proposed by an academic institution. PhD proposals from individual students cannot be accepted.
How will the PhD work be organised?
Supervision of the thesis
Besides working with the external academic supervisor identified in the proposal, each PhD student will work with an ILL supervisor. The ILL supervisor will be responsible for ensuring that, from a practical and technical point of view, the thesis progresses under the appropriate conditions during the student’s stay at the ILL. He/she shares responsibility for the scientific aspects of the student's work with the academic supervisor. The academic supervisor has ultimate scientific and administrative responsibility for the submission of the thesis.
Thesis work at the ILL
Thesis work should be carried out primarily at the ILL. The thesis student will be given the opportunity to conduct experiments on scheduled instruments, within the limits of accepted experimental proposals, and can process the data and results at the ILL. In addition, the thesis student may be involved in the technical development of instruments or infrastructure.
As far as co-funded projects are concerned, part of the thesis work may be carried out at the student’s home university or laboratory. This and other specific arrangements may be specified in the contract.
Employment conditions
PhD students are employed for a period of up to three years, subject to the probationary arrangements of the university involved. They receive a gross salary of around 2400 €/month, together with other benefits depending on their marital and family status. No additional funds are provided for fees or the cost of consumables at the host university, but students can apply for support for travel to conferences and other activities associated with their research during the time they are at the ILL, as well as for consumables at the ILL.
What the ILL pays for
The ILL will pay the student’s salary (only partially in the case of co-funded PhDs). No additional funds will be provided to cover (enrollment) fees or the cost of consumables at the host university. However, students can apply for support towards the cost of travel to conferences and other activities associated with their research during the time they are at the ILL, as well as for consumables at the ILL. The ILL will allow students to teach a reasonable number of hours at the host university, but will not cover the associated travel expenses.
What the ILL can offer
The excitement of working at a large-scale facility in an international environment on a multi-institutional scientific campus.
Unrivalled hands-on experience leading to future employment opportunities in some of the world’s leading research centres.
World-class science!
The attractions of living in the heart of the French Alps, with excellent opportunities for skiing and other outdoor activities, one hour from Lyon, and only three hours from Paris, the Côte d’Azur and Provence.