Human resource management

Improving the career prospects of young researchers

The fostering of young talent is one of the topics to which the Dutch research universities devote special attention. The universities strive to create better career prospects for PhD students and postdocs both inside and outside of academia. The collective labour agreement 2007-2010 contains provisions relating to this aim. Among the instruments intended to improve the career prospects of young researchers are the tenure track system and the personal budget for postdocs for career and personal development. Newly develped career development policies include a pilot project "peer-to-peer consultancy", research into improving career prospects and round table talks.
Read more about improving the career prospects of young researchers

Function-based contracts

Function-based contracts are a new and experimental instrument in the collective labour agreement. Function-based contracts have been introduced to better accommodate the reality of a researcher's work. In function-based contracts, agreements are made on the output-based performance of a researcher, while working hours and holidays are made more flexible.
Read more about function-based contracts in the FAQs

European Charter for Researchers

The VSNU is signatory to the European Charter for Researchers, a recommendation of good practice for employers and funders of researchers.