What's the difference between a universitair docent and a hoogleraar? What about a postdoc and a universitair hoofddocent? While there will be some differences university to university, here's a breakdown of the most common academic job titles used in the Netherlands.
Promovendus
A Dutch PhD student is called a promovendus. The PhD is the highest academic degree and it is required to work as a professor or researcher. Broadly, the path to a PhD consists of four years of advanced research that culminates in the writing of a dissertation which is then orally defended. Some programs require PhD students to gain teaching experience as well. As PhD candidates are paid, they are seen as employees rather than students even though they do not have the same rights as employees. They they usually hold the position of Assistant-in-Opleiding (AiO) or Onderzoeker-in-Opleiding (OiO).
Postdoc
After earning their PhD, many researchers go on to a postdoc often at another university or in another country. A postdoc is a continuation of the researcher’s training that allows them to further specialize in a particular field and learn new skills and techniques. Postdoc research is usually themed or project specific. A Dutch postdoc is often two years.
Universitair docent 1 and 2
This position is equivalent to the rank of assistant professor or university lecturer and is generally the first permanent academic position, though some universitair docent positions are tenure track and subject to review. The tenure review evaluates the universitair docent's publishing, teaching, student supervision, and research grant success. A universitair docent usually has lighter administrative duties than a universitair hoofddocent or hoogleraar. As this is a permanent position, it is not uncommon to stay a universitair docent until retirement. There are two levels of universitair docent and level 1 is more senior to level 2.
Universitair hoofddocent 1 and 2
A universitair hoofddocent is equivalent in rank to an associate professor or senior lecturer or reader. Traditionally to become a universitair hoofddocent, a universitair docent had to apply for a vacant position. However it is possible to be promoted to this position based on performance. This is a permanent position and it is not uncommon to remain a universitair hoofddocent until retirement. The rank of universitair hoofddocent is often associated with major administrative roles such as coordinator of degree programs and chairs of committees. As of June 2017, those holding the rank of universitair hoofddocent can supervise PhD students. Previously only those holding the rank of hoogleraar could be a PhD student's primary supervisor. There are two levels of universitair hoofddocent and level 1 is more senior to level 2.
Hoogleraar 1 and 2
A hoogleraar is equivalent to a full professor and is at the top of the professorial hierarchy. They have substantial research accomplishments that have established them as an international or national leader in their field. This rank is often associated with major administrative roles such as Dean of the Faculty, Head of the Department or Institute, or Research Director of the Department or Institute. This is the only rank that the title “Prof.” applies to in the Netherlands (though the use of “Prof.” isn't governed by law.) Unlike the North American tenure system, there is no automatic promotion to hoogleraar. To become one, a universitair hoofddocent has to apply for a vacant position. There are two levels of hoogleraar and level 1 is more senior to level 2.
There are further ranks of hoogleraar, including buitengewoon hoogleraar (an externally funded chair created for specific expertise in reasearch or teaching), bijzonder hoogleraar (an externally funded, temporary and often part time professorship that can also be given as an honourary title), and universiteits-hoogleraar (a prestigious chair which allows the professor to focus solely on research by relieving them of administrative and teaching duties).