Staff members each contribute to achieving the Academy's mission in an inclusive work environment.
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Would you like to work at the very heart of science?
Over 1,500 colleagues work at ten research institutes and two institutes that offer a research infrastructure. If you would like to be part of our research community and work at the very heart of science, take a look at our vacancies in Amsterdam, The Hague, Leiden, Utrecht and Wageningen!
What makes it attractive to work at the Academy?
Today's employees face the challenge of adapting to the continuously changing demands of the world around them. For the sake of their sustainable employability, it is vital that they can do their work in a healthy and positive working environment. The Academy focuses extensively on the social safety of employees in an ethical working environment, the type of leadership, personal development, having meaningful work and being appreciated in the right manner. In addition, employees are offered excellent primary and secondary employment conditions.
The institutes organisation and the Academy Bureau
Academy staff members work at one of the scientific institutes in various locations across the country or at the Academy Bureau in Amsterdam.
Appreciative Leadership
What characterizes a good leader? And how can you, as an employee, take charge over your own work and career? To better address these and other questions as an organization, the KNAW established a vision on (personal) leadership in 2023: Appreciative Leadership. In Appreciative Leadership, the core values of development, connection, and clarity are central, and the collaboration and combined strengths of all employees contribute to the success of the organization. This leadership style is focused on trust, emphasizing not only the quality of work but also the quality of interpersonal relationships. The essence of Appreciative Leadership is recognizing potential and working with a curious, professional, and positive attitude.
Inclusive work environment
Every employee is given the space and opportunity to make a valuable contribution to science in the Netherlands, regardless of background, gender, disability or philosophy of life, in an inclusive work environment. Diversity and inclusion are paramount in all parts of the Academy, based on respect for equality and equal opportunities for all. They also promote the quality of our scientific community, by not missing or excluding talent and by promoting diversity of perspectives where necessary.
Testimonials
'The Academy offers a unique research environment. The support infrastructure is fantastic and ranges from triggering exchange between institutes, to (grant) writing workshops with very skilled coaches.'
'What is special about working at the Academy is the unique opportunity to hear first-hand from inspiring and creative scientists and artists about what they are engaged in and also to collaborate with them.'
'NIDI fosters a kind, creative and collaborative work environment. In my experience it attracts highly motivated, bright minds and provides them with the right level of care, shelter and stimulation to help them flourish. It is also a queer-friendly workplace. That is important to me.'
Attention to talent development and training opportunities
The Academy considers talent development, training, and the right support for general skills development important. That is why the Centre for Career & Development was set up. Here, you can submit all your questions about career development and education and training opportunities.
Primary and secondary employment conditions
Meaningful work and a pleasant working environment are vital. However, we understand that salary and other employment benefits also play a role in your choice of a job. At the Academy, you can count on good, modern working conditions. The Academy observes the CAO for Dutch Universities. Based on this collective agreement, you will receive an excellent salary in line with your position and work experience, holiday allowance, a year-end bonus and a significant number of holiday hours per year (a total of 232 hours on a full-time basis). The Academy also has good secondary employment conditions.
Support for international employees
The Academy’s research institutes serve as incubators and magnets for top Dutch and foreign researchers, with diversity and flexibility as the hallmarks of its staff. The institutes play a pivotal role in exploring important current and new subjects in consortia with other research institutions, including university research groups active in the Netherlands and abroad.
Internationalisation is noticeable worldwide, and that includes the Netherlands. Also when it comes to research, so within the Academy institutes too.
In most of our institutes, non-Dutch researchers are commonplace. Consequently, the official language within these institutes is often English.
Beginner’s Guide to Dutch Academia
The Young Academy produced a guide for foreign researchers who would like to work in the Netherlands. A Beginner's Guide to Dutch Academia discusses Dutch attitudes to work, employment contracts and the structure of academia in the Netherlands, with its universities and research organisations.