Newsletter for NWO-I employees |
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National manager of Recognition & Rewards programme: “Every pyramid stands on a broad foundation that deserves just as much respect." |
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Dr. Sanli Faez is an associate professor of nanophotonics at Utrecht University and, since May 2025, the national manager of the Recognition & Rewards (R&R) programme. This programme is committed to ensuring a more modern system of recognition and rewards that values all aspects of academic endeavour: not only research, but also teaching, impact, leadership and patient care. As a physicist, Sanli has been a committed advocate of open science for many years: an important element of the R&R programme. In his new role, he is working to bring about a cultural transformation in the academic world. “My aim in this role is to make a significant difference to the academic community.” He is therefore determined to deliver on the full range of ambitions that make up the Recognition & Rewards programme. “At this stage in my career, I firmly believe this is where I can make the most impact.” |
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Sanli Faez, national manager of the Recognition & Rewards (R&R) programme. |
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NWO-I employees can request a free financial consultation via SoFoKleS |
Get a grip on your finances with a free financial consultation |
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Credits: shutterstock.com |
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Would you like to have more control over your current or future financial situation? Perhaps you are considering participating in the generation plan scheme, or your personal financial situation is changing due to a change in your life circumstances? As an NWO-I employee at an institute of at the bureau, you can request a free financial consultation (this consultation is available in both Dutch and English) via SoFoKleS, based on the Financial Consultation Scheme (information scheme available in Dutch only) agreed upon by the parties to the collective labour agreement. |
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Pension at NWO-I: surviving dependants’ pension |
The implications of your death for the pension of your partner, ex-partner(s) and children |
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At NWO-I, you accrue pension via ABP, the General Pension Fund for Public Employees. If you have a partner or young children, you accrue a form of pension for them as well. If you die, your partner or ex-partner will receive a partner's pension. If you have children under the age of 25, they will get an orphan's pension. Both forms of pension are designated by Dutch law as surviving dependants’ pension. This month, in our series on pensions, we will explain exactly how this works and which of your dependants are entitled to what. |
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Credits: shutterstock.com |
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Marco de Baar appointed for second term as DIFFER director: "Connection at an early stage accelerates innovations" |
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Marco de Baar (DIFFER). Credits: Bart van Overbeeke |
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DIFFER Director Marco de Baar has been appointed for a second term at DIFFER, as we announced last month in Inside NWO-I. In an interview on the DIFFER website, Marco looks back on the past five years of his directorship, which were dominated by a new strategy and collaborations with leading national and international players. What were the successes and what is he proud of? He also looks ahead to his new term, which includes plans to establish a new autonomous laboratory for chemical materials (Self Driving Lab). |
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Share your thoughts on the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Scientific Integrity |
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The current version of the "Netherlands Code of Conduct for Scientific Integrity" dates from 2018. Every few years, a committee reviews whether the code still meets current requirements, such as developments in AI or external collaboration. The outcome of the recent evaluation was that the Code of Conduct is greatly appreciated, but that it could be updated and strengthened. The committee is therefore now calling on users to provide feedback on the new draft version of the code. |
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Credits: shutterstock.com |
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Guidelines for Generative AI |
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Credits: Shutterstock.com |
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In order to support the responsible use of generative AI for all NWO Institutes and the NWO-I office, NWO-I published AI guidelines in August 2025. These are not strict rules, but points for consideration for the thoughtful and responsible use of generative AI. The guidelines can be downloaded (pdf) at our website. |
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Bruno Ehrler appointed new director of AMOLF |
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The Board of NWO-I has appointed Prof. Dr. Bruno Ehrler as the new director of AMOLF, the national institute for research on functional complex matter. Effective 1 January 2026, Ehrler will succeed Prof. Dr. Huib Bakker. NWO President Marcel Levi is delighted with the appointment: “Bruno Ehrler combines scientific excellence with a broad strategic perspective. He has a strong commitment to further shaping AMOLF as a fundamental and applied research institute deeply connected to society. With this appointment, AMOLF will continue having leadership that understands both the academic and societal value of research. I am confident that Bruno will guide the institute with vision, integrity, and energy.” |
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Bruno Ehrler. Credits: AMOLF |
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Visit an NWO institute during Science Weekend |
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The annual Science Weekend offers a unique glimpse behind the scenes of the world of science and technology. This year, the weekend will take place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October. Six NWO Institutes will also be opening their doors and organising all kinds of activities and demonstrations. This is a great opportunity to take a look inside one of the (other) institutes or to show your family where you work. |
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Highlight ASTRON: Lightning in the Netherlands appears to be different from other places in the world |
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Lightning in the Netherlands differs from other parts of the world. In our country, lightning is reversed, as it were. Thunderstorms occur when rising warm air and descending cold air pass each other at high speed. The friction causes the thundercloud to become electrically charged. When that charge is released, lightning occurs. When lightning occurs in a thundercloud in the Netherlands, electrically charged particles descend. And that is strange, says researcher Brian Hare. ‘Because in other places, they actually rise.’ Hare's discovery was also picked up by the Dutch national broadcaster NOS. |
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Brain Hare. Credits: ASTRON |
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Radboudumc joins HFML-FELIX as an official partner to advance metabolic disease research |
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Purva Kulkarni, PhD (Radboudumc), Jos Oomens (HFML-FELIX), Dirk Lefeber (Radboudumc) and Jonathan Martens (HFML-FELIX). Credits: Gideon Laureijs. |
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As of August 2025, the Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc) has joined national research institute HFML-FELIX as an official partner. The aim of the partnership is to accelerate innovation in the field of metabolite identification, improving biomarker discovery and paving the way for novel techniques for the diagnostics and treatments of rare diseases. |
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News from the works councils |
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Credits: shutterstock.com |
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The Group Works Council (GOR NWO-I) held a consultative meeting just before the summer holiday. Two requests for consent were discussed at this meeting. The GOR NWO-I has since responded to both requests. For the Central Works Council (COR NWO), it is the calm before the storm at the moment: negotiations on the new implementation regulations are due to start soon. On 22 September, we will define the mandate to be given to the COR negotiating delegation and then the negotiations will really start. We will of course keep you updated on developments via this newsletter. |
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CALENDAR
Online lunch lecture ‘Embracing Diverse Thoughts: Turning Resistance into Team Success’- 9 October |
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This lecture is organised in the framework of Diversity Day, a day that symbolizes the power of connection at a time when that connection is under pressure. Polarization is increasing, differences are becoming more entrenched, and respect for diversity sometimes seems to be fading. Working together to promote understanding and openness is therefore more urgent than ever. Research shows that diversity of thought contributes to the success of an organization. But what if different perspectives clash? How do you deal with resistance and keep the conversation open? This session is intended for anyone who works in or leads a team, to learn how to communicate and collaborate more effectively. |
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Credits: shutterstock.com |
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As an NWO-I employee, you receive the personnel newsletter Inside NWO-I. The newsletter publishes important news and announcements for you as an employee. Do you disagree with NWO-I using your email address to send Inside NWO-I, and would you like to stop receiving the newsletter? Then please let us know this by sending an email to info@nwo-i.nl. |
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NWO-I, the Institutes Organisation of NWO, is an independent foundation belonging to NWO. The following ten institutes are part of NWO-I: AMOLF, ARCNL, ASTRON, CWI, DIFFER, HFML-FELIX Nikhef, NIOZ, NSCR and SRON. |
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