Working at
Director Jessica Dempsey:Â
"ASTRON is not your ordinary institute. We're here to tackle the unsolvable and pioneer uncharted territories. Our biggest challenge is achieving equitable science and inclusion for all. With 75% of our management team now comprised of women, we're dedicated to bringing more women into science and technology. Join us to accelerate your career and help us build a safe, inclusive workspace."
Director Jessica Dempsey:Â
"My promise to you is that together, we'll shape a truly inclusive, safe workspace where every individual can accelerate their career and have an enriching experience. Beyond our Equitable Hiring Program, we're actively co-creating an inclusive workplace, recognizing that addressing imbalances in representation is a shared journey, where your voice matters deeply."
Our culture
To achieve our mission we need colleagues with (specific) knowledge, expertise and skills with regard to a number of what we call core competencies. These core competencies along with the together with the previously mentioned characteristics and the stories of our employees form a good image of our culture. These ingredients are the basis for our existence.
Innovative & Courageous
Global player & open communication
We like to share our ideas and opinions with others, preferably in comprehensible language and in an approachable manner. We want to be open to our environment and each other. We give each other solicited and unsolicited feedback and we are always open to getting feedback.
ASTRON Netherlands institute for Radio Astronomy.
During my studies, I realised that I wanted to work in radio astronomy. In my second year, I decided to focus on radio astronomy. My professor pointed out to me that ASTRON build a new radio telescope in the middle of Europe.
The choice to work at ASTRON was one I could make immediate. I wanted to enjoy working in a high tech environment, but also have the opportunity to keep developing myself. The beautiful surroundings in which ASTRON is located, the Dwingelderveld, made my decision very easy.
My work at ASTRON is very interesting! Mainly because I can solve many challenging and complex problems. To solve these problems, I use the latest technologies.
ASTRON making discoveries in radio astronomy happen.
History
1949
ASTRON, SRZM was officially founded.
On 23 April 149, the forerunner of ASTRON, SRZM (stichting Radiostraling van Zon en Melkweg/ Netherlands Foundation for Radio Astronomy) was officially founded with Prof. Jan Oort as chairman of the Board, a position he held until his retirement in 1970. SRZM was set up to prepare for the design, construction and operation of the Dwingeloo Telescope.
1956
1970
1975 - 1980
1988
Square Kilometre Array
1993
2010
2015
2020
Terms of employment and regulations
ASTRON is an institute that is part of NWO-i, the Institutes Organisation that falls under the Dutch Research Council (NWO). NWO-i is an independent foundation belonging to NWO.
ASTRON’s terms of employment are regulated by the Collective Labour Agreement Research Institutes (CAO-OI) and in the NWO Implementing Regulations (IR). Several main points:
- Besides the monthly salary stated in the job advertisement, you will receive a holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.33%.
- In the case of a full-time position, you will work 40 hours per week and you are entitled to 42 days of annual leave, which you can have partly paid out. In addition, there are several special forms of leave that are (partly) paid.
- NWO-I has the Tailor-made Terms of Employment (AVOM) which allows you to tailor several employment conditions to your own needs.
- NWO-I has (under certain conditions) allowances for relocation costs and supports foreign employees in applying for a visa.
- NWO-I employees, with the exception of those who receive funding from a European grant, accrue pension entitlement at the National Civil Pension Fund ABP.
- ASTRON encourages the continuous development of employees and gives generous allowances for courses that employees follow in relation to their work activities or career.
- ASTRON offers various ways to develop your career, like for example: learning on the job, commitment in challenging projects which appeals to your talents and capacities, visiting conferences, training programs and of course sharing the knowledge within the institute itself, for example by organizing colloquia. Within ASTRON several fields of expertise offer the possibility to develop from a junior to a senior level.
- ASTRON takes its responsibility for the health, safety and well-being of its employees very seriously. NWO-I considers it to be a joint task of the employer and the employee to ensure health, safety and well-being at the workplace.
- ASTRON wants to be an organisation where everybody feels welcome, can be themselves and can bring out the best in themselves and in teams. We strive to be a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture where everybody is equal, irrespective of cultural, ethnic or religious background, gender, sexual orientation, health and ag
- ASTRON believes that people have to respect each other’s personal boundaries. It therefore strives to realise a working environment in which employees feel safe. In the work relationship, NWO-I does not tolerate any form of (sexual) intimidation, aggression, violence, bullying and discrimination.