Academic Ranks in the Netherlands

Overview

Academic ranks

Dutch title Literal translation Pay grade US equivalent UK/commonwealth equivalent

Hoogleraar	High teacher	H1, H2, 14+extra	Full Professor	Full Professor
Lector (From 2001 onwards only and unique academic rank for University of Applied Science / until 1980 junior full professor at a Dutch university, title abolished in 1980)	Reader	15	Full Professor	Full Professor/Reader
Universitair Hoofddocent	University head lecturer	13, 14	Associate professor	University senior lecturer / Reader
Universitair Docent	University lecturer	11, 12	Assistant professor	University lecturer
Docent	Lecturer	10-13	Lecturer	Lecturer
Onderzoeker / Postdoc	Researcher, Postdoc	10-13	Researcher	Research fellow
Assistent in Opleiding / Promovendus	Assistant in training	P	Ph.D. candidate	Ph.D. candidate
Onderzoeksassistent	Research assistant	6-9	Research assistant	Research assistant
Student Assistent	Student (enrolled in B.Sc. or M.Sc. program) assistant	SA	Student teaching/research assistant	Student teaching/research assistant

Administrative positions

Dutch title Description Length of term Requirements Executive board of the university Department or Division

Voorzitter raad van bestuur	CEO or president of a university	Appointed for fixed 4 year terms, which can be consecutive	Need not be a professor, can be appointed from outside the organisation
Rector Magnificus	Ceremonial head and head of research and education of a university	Appointed for fixed 4 year terms, which can be consecutive	Always a full professor, elected from within the sitting professors of the university.
Leden van het college van bestuur	Additional members of the board of a university (e.g. CFO)	Appointed for fixed 4 year terms, which can be consecutive	Need not be a professor, can be appointed from outside the organisation
Decaan (Dean)	Head of research and education of a faculty	Appointed for fixed 4 year terms, which can be consecutive	Usually a full professor
Leerstoel houder	Leader of a research group or department (lit: teaching chair holder)	Appointed indefinitely (until mandatory retirement age)	The most common full professor. When retiring a replacement will be actively looked for in an open application procedure.