PhD candidates – Promovendi

Although normally considered PhD students, PhDs (Promovendi) are entitled to certain rights and obligations like normal UT employees. In order to know more about all the regulations about PhD contracts, you are advised to read the collective labour agreement (CAO) for Dutch Universities. For example, you should discuss the Training and Supervision Plan with your supervisor at the beginning of the PhD. You are also obliged to have a year assessment or annual interview with your supervisor.

You can take a look at your salary scale, promovendi, for 2009 (salary scale January_2009: ) and bonus. Every month you make contributions to your pension (ABP), you might wonder how to receive your pension abroad in case you leave the Netherlands in the future. In case of unemployment or dismissal, you might be entitled to receive an unemployment benefit (WW). You should know that you are obliged to have a basic package of health insurance, keep an eye at the UT collective offer from Menzis insurer (although others are also possible). PhDs can enjoy leave in special occasions. You have the option of using the employee saving scheme that makes you avoid paying some taxes over you salary. You could be eligible to receive an allowance for removal costs at the beginning of your PhD, an allowance for commuting costs by public transport (you can purchase a public transport pass via PA&O even if you are not eligible), and the reimbursement of expenses for accommodation and transportation during business trips.
Apart from all this, you can make use of the Optional Model for Employment Conditions every year to buy a bike, claim commuting costs or have extra salary for instance.

You can use several campus facilities. Your skills can be increased by attending language courses or training. The Office for Foreign Employees can help you with the legal documents for staying and working in the Netherlands (beware, even PhDs from EU countries are obliged to registered at the IND, otherwise they might face problems opening a bank account). In case of having a problematic situation you may need the support of a confidential advisor , in the worst case you can follow the complaints procedure at the UT. Safety and health is also important for PhDs, you should be aware of the Arbo working conditions, dangerous substances, waste collection, RSI, physiotherapy and smoking policy at the UT. Finally, perhaps you want to know which ones are the UT closing dates.

If after all, you still have questions of want to have more information, please visit the website of HR and/or the website of the PhD Network University Twente (P-NUT).