In case no one has told you yet: yes, you can make a (good) living working at a university in Europe.

Imagine this: you get up, have a leisurely breakfast, walk (or bike) through a campus surrounded by trees, people greeting each other in different languages, and a coffee shop that smells like “I want to change the world.” You’re not in a film, you work at a European university. And while this may seem a bit reserved for the privileged few with three PhDs and Oxford contacts, the truth is that there are many ways to enter.

This article is not a typical cold list of requirements. We’ll talk seriously (and obviously): which jobs are available, what’s needed, where to look, how to apply, how much you earn and why this could be the best decision of your career. And we’ll do it the Dean Romero way: direct, honest and with examples that could be you.

1. Places: There is life beyond the teacher with the bow

When you think of working at a university, you probably imagine someone teaching in a classroom or conducting research in a laboratory. But the university ecosystem is much broader. Here are the three big blocks:

a) Academic positions

• Faculty (assistant, full professor, full professor)
• Researcher (pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, senior researcher)
• Project or department director

b) Site techniques

• Laboratory technician
• IT, data or artificial intelligence specialist
• Instructional designers or digital pedagogues

c) Administrative and managerial positions

• Erasmus program coordinator
• Admissions, enrollment, or scholarship staff
• Human Resources, Marketing, Communication, Legal

Moral of the story: You don’t need to be a professor to work at a university. You could be the technician who manages the microphones or the coordinator who sends hundreds of students to study abroad. All profiles are important.

2. What is (really) needed

We’re not going to lie to you: this requires preparation. But it’s not always about a PhD or ten years of experience.

Do you want an academic position?

• Doctorate required (in almost all countries)
• Research experiences (publications, projects)
• High level of English (minimum C1 in most)
• Sometimes in the local language (especially if you will be teaching in that language)

Do you prefer a technical position?

• Title of diploma linked to higher FP
• Practical experience (lab, IT, design, etc.)
• Intermediate level of English (to read textbooks, talk to foreign colleagues)

Is your management or administration insured?

• University degree (or FP if helping)
• Good level of languages ​​(almost always English, even in the local language)
• Communication skills, organization, management software

3. Where to look: The main countries (and why)

Germany

• Lots of money for research.
• Requires German in the most stable positions.
• Very structured (and competitive).

Spain

• Very bureaucratic but safe system.
• Ideal if you already speak Spanish and have local training.
• Lower salaries, but more stability (of staff).

France

• You need French for almost everything.
• Centralized contracts.
• Good benefits and pensions.

Netherlands

• Very open to foreigners.
• In many places you can only work in English.
• Competitive salaries.

Nordic countries (Sweden, Norway, Finland)

• High salaries, brutal quality of life.
• You can start in English, but they expect you to learn the language.

4. Procedure: Real Steps (Smoke Free)

1. Set your profile: What type of website do you want? Academic, technical, administrative?
2. Choose the country: Research specific needs, languages ​​and work culture.
3. Prepare your European CV: clear format, measurable results, languages.
4. Use official portals:
   • Euraxess (to look for)
   • Job portals of all universities
   • Academic positions
   • EURES
5. Apply strategically: personalized letter, references, portfolio if applicable.
6. Prepare for interviews: demonstrates motivation, flexibility, European culture.
7. Well there’s a line: Sometimes you don’t succeed the first time, but it’s a matter of perseverance (and improvement).

5. How much do you earn (what do you want to know)

conclusion: in the North you earn more, but the cost of living is also higher. Always evaluate your net+ quality of life.

6. Real-life examples

• Luis, Spanish, laboratory technician in Sweden: started with Erasmus Practices, today he has a fixed-term contract of 3,200 euros per month.
• Mariana, Brazilian, professor in the Netherlands: started as a postdoctoral fellow, now teaches in English and coordinates a master’s degree.
• Jonas, German, administrator at the University of Lisbon: learned the basics of Portuguese and deals with international relations.

7. Why do it (and never look back)

• International environment
• Job stability (in most cases)
• Professional selection
• It’s time to research, grow, create
• Pretty brutal
• Reconciliations and holidays that many companies would like

In short

Work at European universities It’s not a utopia. It’s a real opportunity if you know what you’re looking for, prepare well and point yourself in the right direction. The best? You can start where you are now: adapting your CV, improving your English and signing up for Euraxess alerts.

It wasn’t luck. It’s a matter of strategy, perseverance and boldness to take risks. Europe is full of universities that need people like you.

See you on campus 😉

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