PhD organizations
At Dutch universities, PhD candidates are represented by local PhD organizations. They maintain contact at the local level with the Executive Board, deans, and individual PhD candidates.
PNN is the national association of these PhD organizations. Currently, most PhD councils of the major Dutch universities are members of PNN. The policy of PNN is determined at the General Assembly (ALV), which takes place at least four times a year. Here, all PhD organizations come together to set the course and to exchange experiences.
Below is a list of all local PhD organizations and their websites.
PON (Radboud University Nijmegen)
The Nijmegen PhD Council (PON) meets every 5/6 weeks with the university board, work council delegates, the organization for international PhDs, and representatives from all faculties of Radboud University. At these meetings, we discuss recent and possible future issues at the university. PON advocates for the interests of all PhD candidates in Nijmegen, focusing on employment conditions, quality of supervision, and training courses. We also provide information on practical matters, such as printing your dissertation, career opportunities, and national and international policy developments. Additionally, we regularly conduct surveys among PhDs to make new recommendations and prepare future actions.
GRIN (University of Groningen)
The Groningen Graduate Interest Network (GRIN) is the PhD council of the University of Groningen. It addresses scientific and organizational issues concerning PhDs. Our main aim is to inform PhDs about their rights and obligations, clarify and represent the different types of PhDs, and offer support when a PhD has problems with a university body. We work closely with the PhD representative in the University Council, the faculty-level PhD councils, and the Graduate School directors to address concerns. PhDs can contact us for information about events on legal and administrative aspects of PhD trajectories.
UPC (Delft University of Technology)
UPC is the independent representation of PhDs at TU Delft. We identify general and bureaucratic problems faced by PhDs and report them to university boards, propose solutions, and encourage their implementation. We also provide networking opportunities (monthly PhD Café), organize academic and social activities (workshops, lectures, drinks), and keep PhDs updated through our monthly e-zine and website.
TU/e PhD-PDEng Council (Eindhoven University of Technology)
The PhD-PDEng Council consists of representatives of both PhDs and PDEng trainees at TU/e. They meet with the Rector Magnificus and the Dean of the Graduate School to discuss relevant issues. Faculty-level PhD-PDEng councils are also being developed.
Central PhD Council (University of Amsterdam)
The Central PhD Council (formerly UvAPro) represents the interests of PhDs at the University of Amsterdam and informs them about the unique aspects of their work. Activities include consultations with faculty and university boards and organizing lectures, seminars, and symposia.
LEO (Leiden University)
The Leiden PhD Council (LEO) represents all PhDs at Leiden University. We meet regularly with the rector and deans, maintain contact with local unions, and work closely with PhDs in faculty and university councils. We also organize social activities, such as monthly PhD drinks in Leiden, and a monthly PhD discussion group, which provides a platform for PhDs to present their work and showcase the diversity of research at Leiden University.
LAP-LUMC (Leiden University Medical Center)
LAP represents and advocates for PhDs employed at the LUMC.
P-NUT (University of Twente)
P-NUT is the PhD Network of the University of Twente. Its goal is to represent PhDs, provide them with information, and bring them together.
PrOUt (Utrecht University)
PrOUt is the PhD network of Utrecht University for all PhDs. It informs PhDs about their employment position and career opportunities, represents them in meetings with the university board, and addresses challenges such as supervision or funding. PrOUt also organizes professional and social events such as drinks, lectures, workshops, and career fairs.
VU PhD Council (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
The VU PhD Council represents employed, external, and scholarship PhDs at VU Amsterdam. They aim to improve the social and professional environment of PhDs, focusing on rights, mental health, wellbeing, and diversity. The council strives to have at least one representative from each faculty or graduate school.
WDC (Wageningen University & Research)
The Wageningen Doctoral Council (WDC) represents PhDs at Wageningen University. WDC regularly discusses issues such as collective labor agreements, positions for young researchers, and related concerns. Each Graduate School has its own PhD council, and WDC coordinates their work in close contact with the Dean of the Wageningen Graduate Schools.
TiPP (Tilburg University)
The Tilburg PhD Platform (TiPP) represents the interests of Tilburg University PhDs. Faculty PhD councils are represented within TiPP.
ASAP (Amsterdam UMC)
The Association of Amsterdam UMC PhD Candidates (ASAP) represents over 3,000 PhDs. Its mission is based on three core values: representation, connection, and improvement.
Promeras (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam)
Promeras advocates for PhD rights, such as access to courses and quality supervision. It meets regularly with the Dean, HR, and research policy staff, and advises the PhD committee on educational policy.
Central PhD Candidates Platform (Maastricht University)
This central platform addresses interfaculty and international issues for PhDs and acts as an advisory body to the Executive Board. It consists of six members, each representing a faculty.
HU PhD Council (HUP, Utrecht University of Applied Sciences)
Founded in 2018, HUP supports PhDs at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences. It organizes workshops, provides career support, and runs social activities. It is currently the only applied sciences PhD council, but PNN hopes this will expand.
PhDoc (Leiden University)
PhDoc represents PhDs and postdocs at Leiden University. Since 2004, it has had representatives in the University Council. Its goal is to ensure young researchers’ voices are heard in governance and decision-making.
PhD Council OU (Open University)
Information to follow.
PhD Council University of Humanistic Studies
Information to follow.
NKI PhD Council (Netherlands Cancer Institute)
The NKI PhD Council represents PhDs from all departments of the institute. Its mission is to inform PhDs about their rights and obligations, support networking and career development, provide coaching, and organize social events. The work is divided into task groups on Visibility, Mental Health, Career, and Social Activities, and the council works closely with the institute’s leadership.
Are you currently experiencing issues during your PhD that you need help with?
Most institutions have a number of contact points for help. This compass is designed to help you find the right support.
In the drop-down menu you can select the institution that you are doing your PhD at. Then the roadmap will show you available contact points. In most cases it makes sense to start by considering contact points in your immediate work environment first and then progress to higher levels (like institutional or national).
At the bottom of the page you can find some examples of problems you can run into and a list of descriptions of each contact point.
Your first contact points
Colleagues: Sometimes it can already help to talk with your colleagues about the issue you are experiencing. This will help you judge the severity of it and can provide you with allies in taking further action.
Daily supervisor*: Naturally, your daily supervisor is the first contact point for all issues. They can help you determine the next steps. Of course, you may not feel comfortable discussing everything with your supervisor, or maybe your daily supervisor is involved in the issue. In these cases have a look at the other available contact points.
Promotor or Co-Supervisor*: Especially, in cases of issues with your daily supervisor, consider reaching out to your promotor or another member on the supervision team and ask for a one-on-one meeting. Maybe they can (temporarily) step-up and help you resolve the issue.If you have a conflict with your supervisor(s), you can also have a look at the PNN PhD supervisor conflict roadmap.
*Note that your annual review talk with your supervisory team is a good opportunity to address issues or suggestions for improvement.
National contact points
Labor unions: Organizations representing the interests of academic staff, offering support on employment-related matters, rights, and fair treatment.
NWO Scientific Integrity Desk: A specialized desk addressing scientific integrity concerns in projects related to or funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
Netherlands Board of Research Integrity (LOWI): An independent body handling complaints related to scientific integrity, providing a platform for fair investigation. If you feel like the local scientific integrity committee at your institution did not handle a case correctly, the LOWI can be the next contact point.
Making a police report: In cases involving a criminal offense, please consider contacting local law enforcement to report incidents and seek assistance.