Career

Prime Minister Rob Jetten has met with ASML CEO Christophe Fouquet to discuss the future of the Dutch semiconductor industry. The talks focused on maintaining a world-class business climate and the strategic importance of the Eindhoven region.

Unilever has reached a multi-billion pound agreement to sell its food division to the American company McCormick. While the move aims to integrate global research and production, it has raised questions about the future of 1,000 employees in the Netherlands. Trade unions are currently seeking further details on how the merger will affect specific roles within the Rotterdam headquarters.

The Dutch government plans to introduce new doctoral degrees for practice‑based research at universities of applied sciences. The proposal includes two new titles and aims to give existing pilot programmes official status. If approved, the first candidates could begin in 2027.

Six vocational colleges in the southern Netherlands are offering 500 euro vouchers to help new engineering and technology students buy necessary laptops. The initiative is part of a wider national plan to train thousands of new professionals for the growing microchip industry. This financial support aims to remove barriers for students entering a sector with a high demand for skilled workers.

Philips has maintained its position as the top Dutch applicant at the European Patent Office, leading the way in medical technology. The company filed over 1,200 patents in 2025, focusing heavily on AI-driven healthcare solutions and sustainable diagnostic imaging. These innovations are part of a broader goal to improve billions of lives globally by the end of the decade.

ASML employees in Veldhoven have protested against 1,700 planned job cuts worldwide. Despite record financial results, unions and staff remain concerned about how the reorganization will affect job security and product quality. The dispute continues as workers call for management to reconsider the scale of the layoffs and the use of external contractors.

Don’t let contract complexity stand in the way of your research. Whether you are navigating the transition from a PhD to a Postdoc or seeking clarity on your rights under the Dutch CAO, Counselr is here to help.

A new initiative in the Brainport region is training hundreds of asylum seekers for high-demand jobs in the local semiconductor industry. The program combines technical skills with specialized language coaching to help newcomers fill thousands of vacancies in the thriving Brainport region.