PNN Vacancy: General Board Member – Employment conditions at universities

Are you passionate about the position of PhD candidates in the Netherlands? Do you want to make an impact at the national level and collaborate with enthusiastic PhD candidates from across the country? Then this position is for you!

Starting September 2026, the PhD Network Netherlands (PNN) is looking for reinforcement in the form of a general board member with the portfolio Employment Conditions focusing on Universities.

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Highlights

• Work to improve employment conditions for PhD candidates employed by universities. 
• Represent PhD candidates in discussions with trade unions, graduate schools, and UNL. 
• Join our national board, consisting of engaged and ambitious board members.
• Expand your network and develop valuable skills for your future career.
• Flexible board work alongside your PhD trajectory, with time-for-time compensation (by agreement).

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What will you do?

As a general board member for Employment Conditions at Universities, you are responsible for a diverse portfolio. Employment conditions determine the circumstances under which PhD candidates employed by universities can perform their work. In this role, you will work to improve these employment conditions, for example by providing input during collective bargaining agreement (cao) negotiations for the cao Universities. Additionally, you will host ‘Know Your Rights’ meetings at universities, where you will inform PhD candidates about the rights they have based on the cao. You will also answer questions from PhD candidates about their rights via email.

For this portfolio, there is a lot of collaboration with other board members who are committed to the employment conditions of UMC PhD candidates, external PhD candidates, international PhD candidates, and scholarship PhD candidates. Furthermore, you will have a lot of contact with external parties and partners, especially trade unions such as the AOb. 

Within PNN, you will also be involved in developing and implementing policy, as well as maintaining and expanding the PNN network. There is always room to work on a separate project (together with other board members), such as writing opinion pieces or contributing to a research project. 

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Who are we looking for?

• You are pursuing a PhD (as an employee, scholarship, or external PhD candidate) at a Dutch institution. For this vacancy, it is considered an advantage if you are employed by the university yourself;
• You are enthusiastic about PNN’s mission and would like to gain (additional) board experience.
• You are committed to issues such as the PhD education experiment, the position of different PhDs in the current PhD climate, working conditions of PhD candidates, etc.
• You enjoy working together, can inspire and connect people, and are able to act proactively and independently.
• You have a vision and drive, and can translate these into policy.
• You are willing to invest at least 1 year, on average 8-12 hours per week, in PNN. If you have busy research or teaching periods, this time can be adjusted by agreement: your dissertation always comes first. 
• You are willing to travel regularly for your position. You will regularly attend meetings in Amsterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague, and are available at least one evening per month for a board meeting in Utrecht or Amsterdam.
• You speak and write Dutch and English well.

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What do we offer?

• Collaboration in an enthusiastic and diverse national board.
• The opportunity to build a broad network.
• Many opportunities for your own initiatives and the development of new skills.
• The pleasure and satisfaction of contributing to policy and working towards a better PhD climate in the Netherlands.
• Reimbursement for travel expenses incurred due to your board position.
• Possible time compensation in the form of an extension of your PhD trajectory.

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About PNN

The PhD Network Netherlands (PNN) is the national advocacy organisation for and by PhD candidates in the Netherlands. We represent PhD candidates at the national level and are thus a dialogue partner for, among others, trade unions, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, universities, and UMCs. In addition, we organise various meetings annually and work closely with Eurodoc (European PhD consultation). At our quadrennial general meetings, our members, the local PhD organisations of all Dutch universities and UMCs, consult with each other.

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Enthusiastic?

Questions or interest? Do not hesitate to contact us! Due to the absence of the current portfolio holder, Emma de Brabander, on vacation, you can direct your questions about PNN and this portfolio to Maartje Zweers (vice-chair/secretary, secretaris@hetpnn.nl). She would be happy to have a cup of coffee (online/in person) with you to tell you more about this position and how to combine it with your PhD.

If interested, this board position can be combined with the position of treasurer/board member Finance & Organisational Development.

You can apply until 22 May 2026 by sending your motivation letter and CV to Maartje Zweers (vice-chair/secretary, secretaris@hetpnn.nl). The job interviews will take place online on 1 and 3 June. Between mid-June and early September, you will be gradually introduced to the position at a calm pace, taking into account holidays and other obligations. From early September, you will take over the duties of the current portfolio holder. The official inauguration will take place on Friday, 25 September, during the general members’ meeting.