The provisions in the collective labor agreement that offer PhD candidates the option of obtaining a contract extension in the event of long-term illness, internships or employee participation are often not put into practice. This has emerged from research by the PNN, based on a survey among 1,601 PhD candidates in the Netherlands. In this study, approximately 800 PhD candidates formally employed at universities were asked about their knowledge of the collective labor agreement and their experiences with the clauses specifically intended for PhD candidates. Continue reading “Press release: Optional provisions for PhD candidates in the collective labour agreement are often not put into practice”
Press release: Almost a quarter of PhD candidates who teach are not paid
23.3% of the PhD candidates who have teaching responsibilities, are not paid for carrying out their teaching tasks. This has emerged from research by the PNN, based on a survey among 1,601 PhD candidates in the Netherlands. Almost half of PhD candidates should teach according to their contract, but in practice two thirds of PhD candidates carry out teaching tasks. Moreover, the vast majority (86%) of the group that formally should not have to teach, but does so anyway, are not paid for teaching.
Continue reading “Press release: Almost a quarter of PhD candidates who teach are not paid”
Press release: 18.6% of PhD candidates have (had) to deal with undesirable behaviour in the workplace
As many as 18.6% of the PhD students have experienced or have had to deal with discrimination, sexual harassment, violations of academic integrity, or other forms of undesirable behaviour. This has emerged from research carried out by PNN based on a survey among 1,601 PhD candidates in the Netherlands. Of the various forms of undesirable behaviour, discrimination is the most common (8.6%). Continue reading “Press release: 18.6% of PhD candidates have (had) to deal with undesirable behaviour in the workplace”
Corona Virus – Stay after your studies
In April, a group of international graduates started a petition to extend the search year to accommodate the decline in vacancies and networking opportunities. In a written response to questions from the Dutch Parliament, Minister Koolmees for Social Affairs and Employment explains that it is not possible to extend the search year as the conditions for this residence permit are entrenched in law, and changing them is an uncertain and lengthy process. However, because the government values the contribution of international students and highly skilled migrants greatly, they decided to extend the period for which graduates are eligible for a highly skilled migrant residence permit with a lower salary criterium.
In the attached flyer Infosheet – NUFFIC you can find more information about the search year and other residence permit that can facilitate your stay in the Netherlands after graduation.
Finally, we would like to remind you that wherever your road will take you, The Netherlands wants to keep in touch with you. Don’t forget to register on the Holland Alumni network and let us know about your interests and expertise, so that we can keep talking.
New PNN chair
During the General Members Meeting of 25 September 2020, Rosanne Anholt was elected as the new chair of PNN. Anholt focus in her trajectory on the subject of resilience in the context of international security and succeeds Lucille Mattijssen, who will leave PNN board after one year of chairmanship.
Anholt looks forward to improving the position of PhD candidates in the coming year, together with the PNN board members and the PhD representatives of the universities. Anholt: “Scientists have been drawing attention for a number of years to the high workload, the large proportion of temporary contracts, and the structural underfunding of education. The fundamental problems in science particularly affect the most vulnerable groups, such as PhD candidates. The PNN unites PhD candidates and is committed to making their voices heard towards policymakers and politicians. The results of the PNN Survey, which was conducted among 1600 PhD candidates, provide important starting points for this.
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