Postdoctoral Researcher

After having obtained his/her doctoral degree, a researcher can pursue his research as postdoctoral scholar. In this case two different legal statuses may apply:

1. If s/he is hired as an employee, the researcher signs a Belgian employment contract, subject to all Belgian rules and regulations. Visitors coming from countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) must be in possession of a valid work permit.

2. Researchers staying at UCL in the context of an international mobility programme are usually postdoctoral grant holders. The postdoctoral grant has to take course within 6 years after the PhD degree has been obtained. The researcher will receive a grant exempt from income tax, but liable to the social contributions payable to the National Office of Social Security. No work permit is required in this case, regardless of the nationality of the visitor.