Netherlands
Promovendi Netwerk Nederland (PNN)
The PhD Candidates Network of the Netherlands (PNN) is the national organisation for PhD candidates in the Netherlands. PNN was established in 1987 (known as Landelijk AIO Overleg or LAIOO until 2003) and was a founding member of Eurodoc in 2002. Our primary goal is to represent the interests and improve the working conditions of all PhD candidates doing research in the Netherlands.
PNN consists of a national network of PhD Councils from the Dutch universities, medical centres, and research institutions. We are governed by a daily board which meets regularly with these PhD Councils to discuss and determine policy on all issues related to doing a PhD. Our main focus at the moment is defending the PhD as paid employment, stopping dubious short-term PhD contracts, supporting PhD candidates in teaching, helping PhD candidates transition to the labour market, and maintaining the high quality of PhD research.
We represent approximately 15,000 PhD candidates and regularly meet with and advise the main stakeholders in education and research in the Netherlands, such as the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW), the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO), the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), and several labour unions and political parties. We also frequently engage with major Dutch radio, television, and newspaper outlets.
PNN further runs the Professional PhD Program, which organises paid PhD internships for PhD candidates in the public/private sector. These PhD candidates work temporarily during their PhD at organisations on high-quality projects before returning to finish their PhD. The PhDs gain valuable work experience and skills outside of academia and create a network before finishing their PhD. On the other side, the organisations learn the value of employing PhD graduates and come into contact with potential employees and associates.
To contact PNN: email us via info@hetpnn.nl
For more information on PNN: visit http://www.hetpnn.nl/en
For more information on our Professional PhD Program: visit http://www.hetpnn.nl/en/ppp
