GRIN is an association of PhD students that in turn represents them in Groningen. Every PhD student can contact GRIN with any problems, question or suggestion she or he might have and even if GRIN can not help directly, we will direct the PhD student to the right person. If you would like to support the work of GRIN, you can become a member for only 10 Euros for your entire PhD period. For any advice, question or assistance on PhD related issues please contact GRIN.
Ruling on Bursary System Delayed
Today, judges in Leeuwaarden were supposed to pronounce their decision regarding the bursary system, but as the UK reports, it has been postponed yet again. The juridical procedure began 2006 when ABVAKABO started to support bursary PhD students in their right to be treated as equal employees including the right for a pension, vacation money etc.. After the initial decision, proclaiming that bursary students were doing the same work as employed PhDs and should therefore have equal rights, the university has fought against the decision. The parliament has since moved to make the bursary system a permanent part of the dutch education system, a process that came to a halt due to the recent political upheaval.
Current bursary PhD Students might be interested to read ABVAKABO’s advice for bursary students. If you have any questions regarding the bursary system or have reason for complaint, please contact us.
Posted in Uncategorized
University Elections 2012
You can vote for your favorite representative right now via Progress (7th of may until the 21st may 17.00). Bursary students may have to use their P Number to vote.
GRIN does not officially endorse any one party but Jonathan Mall, current President of GRIN, supports Lijst Calimero. This has been a personal decision based on the positive perception of Calimero’s efforts to support PhD rights in the University Council.
Official results will be announced by the rector magnificus on may 22nd in the restaurant of the Academy Building.
Posted in Elections
PhD Survey Results (Psychology Department)
The Psychology PhD Council just released their recent PhD Survey results:
Participants: A total of 49 PhD students took part in the survey. 13 participants (27%) were employed as bursary students. 31 participants (67%) were female.
Summary: The report shows that PhD students are generally positive about their work. Most PhD students enjoy their work and feel that are provided with opportunities to develop new skills. However, some points may warrant further attention. Below, we provide a brief list of such points.
- PhD students indicated that they did not know a PhD mentor is available.
- 35% of PhD students indicated that they have had doubts concerning the continuation of their PhD project in the past year.
- PhD students indicate that they could use additional help with long-term planning from their supervisors.
- Almost half of all PhD students indicate that they work more hours than is stipulated in their contracts in an average working week.
- The majority of PhD students report ‘sometimes’ experiencing burn-out related symptoms. A small groups of PhD students frequently experiences these symptoms, but an even smaller group never experiences them.
- Bursary students are anxious about their career prospects, while most AiO’s are not.
- Most bursary students expect to finish their project late, while most AiO’s expect to finish on time.
Posted in News
Dutch Debate
Wegens omstandigheden gaat het debat ‘Internationale idealen of nationaal belang’ op 5 april met Jan Pronk en Thomas von der Dunk niet door
Posted in Uncategorized
Updated Tax Information
We’ve just updated the Tax info on our site to include the 2011 & 2012 Tax Assessment. The information is applicable to Bursary students. The RUG has also recently updated their FAQ to ensure for example that Bursaries don’t take a job in the same year they end their contract. Additionally, the International Service desk has stated to often not be able to help with nuanced questions and they now refer to Tax Globalizers Bluestone for assistance.
Posted in Uncategorized
National PhD congress
The National PhD congress will take place parallel to The National Career Fair (De Nationale Carrièrebeurs) on the 16th and 17th of March Amsterdam RAI. This 15th edition and will be opened by Prince Willem-Alexander.
The National PhD congress is thé career event for (future) PhD students. At this event there will be companies as well as Universities present that want to get in contact with the students. A special workshop programme is offered for people that want to orientate on doing a PhD, but mostly for PhD students that want to orientate on a job outside of science. This workshop program is entirely free for visitors of the congress.
Posted in Uncategorized
PCDI Postdoc Retreat
The PCDI Postdoc Retreat is a 3-day course for final year PhD students and postdocs in the Life Sciences and focuses on personal, professional and career development of young scientists.
No matter whether you have a career in academia or elsewhere in mind, at the PCDI Postdoc Retreat 28 – 30 March 2012 you will hear how your PhD can be a stepping stone to success. Work out what is important to you when it comes to professional development. Discover and improve your transferable skills at the training workshops. Attend inspiring keynote lectures by successful PhDs, discuss the position of young scientists in society at our forum.
Network with PhDs who followed very different career paths for career orientation inside
and outside academia.
This course is organized by the Postdoc Career Development Initiative (PCDI) and has
been attended by >600 early career scientists, including researchers from abroad. Visit
www.pcdi.nl for more information on the programme, registration and funding options for
your participation.
Posted in Events
