Development
We offer our members opportunities for both professional and personal development. This benefits not only the individual member but the entire field. That is why we deliberately bring together members from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, and provide development opportunities for every stage of their careers.
In what areas would you like to develop yourself?
EXCLUSIVE TO MEMBERS
The opportunities we offer for professional and personal development are exclusively available to members.
For the chemists of tomorrow
The NextGen program
The world is changing rapidly. Chemistry plays a key role in this, from climate and energy to health and sustainability. All these challenges require chemists who look beyond their field of expertise. Chemists who are not only experts, but who can also inspire, connect, and innovate.
With the NextGen program, the KNCV supports young chemists in their growth. Whether you are a student, PhD candidate, postdoc, or starting group leader, NextGen helps you develop your talents, make an impact, and build a strong network.
The program consists of four pillars: Leadership, Impact, Empower, and Connect. Together, they guide your development and the future of chemistry in the Netherlands.
The KNCV mentoring program
Our mentor program aims to help students and young professionals find their way in the chemical industry. We pair young members with more experienced members. The mentor helps the mentee find their way within the association and the industry. The mentor also introduces the mentee to other members. In turn, the mentor learns from the mentee's way of thinking and perspective and can apply that knowledge in their work. A real win-win! The mentoring program is part of our NextGen program.
We are currently developing this program and are running a pilot to gain experience in order to further shape the program. We will keep you informed!
Fostering and recognizing talent
One of the ways we strengthen the chemistry sector in general, and our members in particular, is by presenting awards. Through these awards, we aim to inspire and encourage young chemical talent to make a positive contribution to the world of tomorrow. We also present awards to more established figures in the field, recognizing the impact of their work on their discipline, society, and the world.
Encouraging international exchange with travel grants
We encourage international exchange and professional development among young chemists. By offering travel grants, we want to give students and young professionals the opportunity to gain international experience, expand their network, and acquire new knowledge and insights during internships or conferences abroad. In this way, we contribute to their personal growth and to strengthening the chemical community in the Netherlands.
Career coaches
We want to support our members in their career development. To this end, we have built up a pool of experienced career coaches with roots in chemistry. They are all experienced consultants who are happy to help you make choices in your career. The career coaches are regularly present at KNCV events to provide career advice. In addition, members can request a free exploratory coaching session.
Onboarding program (under development)
For newcomers, the chemical industry in the Netherlands can seem overwhelming and confusing. To help Dutch and non-Dutch chemists find their way in the Dutch industry, we are developing an onboarding program. We provide a ‘soft landing’, enabling students, young professionals, and expats to find their way better and faster, develop more quickly, and seize opportunities that would otherwise remain out of sight. For non-Dutch newcomers, we also focus on getting to know Dutch (working) culture.
We are still developing this program, so unfortunately we cannot tell you more at this time. Keep an eye on our website or sign up for our newsletter here.
Eye-openers
With Eye-openers, we offer promising young scientists a platform that allows them to reach a larger and broader audience with their research. In one minute, they explain what they are working on, what fascinates them about it, and what they are looking for. The participants are guided by an experienced presentation coach to further refine their pitch.
KNCV members benefit from a discount on the recording fee. NWO recognizes Eye-openers as a suitable outreach activity, which means that the (remaining) costs can be covered by a grant.
International outreach
The impact of chemists, life scientists, and process technologists extends beyond our national borders. That is why we not only maintain contacts with our sister associations abroad, but are also co-owners of the renowned international journals of Chemistry Europe and the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). The KNCV receives royalties for every article written by a chemist, life scientist, or process technologist based in the Netherlands and published in one of these journals. We invest these royalties back into the association, which benefits our members. This allows you, as a member, to work on your international outreach while simultaneously strengthening the national chemical community.
We give our members a platform
Our members bring color and meaning to chemistry, life sciences, and process technology. Who are they? What are they working on? What breakthroughs are they striving for?
That is why we offer our members a platform in the KNCV newsletter and in C2W | Mens & Molecule. With personal interviews, reports on groundbreaking research results, and awards and prizes.
