Sjoerd Rijpkema doesn’t quite understand the exceedingly detailed questions that PhD candidates get during their promotion ceremony. However, he recently came across a promotion with a markedly different approach.
Oyster mushrooms cleaning ditches and trenches. This is the solution with which MycoFarming aims to establish itself. Their biological filtration method cleans the water as the fungi grow, providing an innovative, sustainable solution to the nitrogen crisis that does not place a heavy burden on agricultural production or the environment.
Isabelle Kohler shares her perspectives on the pros and cons of a postdoc fellowship and breaks down the decision that can shape a career trajectory.
Everything about publishing science is now digital, except for the price tag. Sjoerd Rijpkema wonders how long this can be sustained.
Vivici is entering the food market by producing high-quality, sustainable protein through precision fermentation. Founded in 2023, Vivici has already made significant progress. The next step is to convince as many customers as possible. ‘The food business is a business based on trust.’
Isabelle Kohler explores how early-career researchers can develop internal validation skills to find genuine fulfillment and authentic career direction while breaking free from the pressure to constantly perform for others.
Creaflow is developing a flow plate reactor that is ideal for photochemical and electrochemical processes. It is easy to vary and highly scalable. ‘As a start-up, we were quickly embraced by the market.’
Imagine scanning a spectrum of an unknown molecule and receiving a few suggestions from an AI assistant as to what it could be. Researchers at MIT and IBM are actively working on this technology and have already achieved powerful results. ‘Those who don’t embrace AI may find themselves left behind.’
For fifteen years, petrochemical company Braskem has been working hard on developing biobased polymers, like I’m green™ bio-based polyethylene.
Teaching transformed Isabelle Kohler’s career from an anxiety-inducing PhD requirement to her greatest academic passion. Here, she offers practical strategies to PhD students and postdocs facing increased supervision duties.
Field-flow fractionation is a decades old technique with a lot of potential, though lack of knowledge and training keeps it from getting the attention it deserves. ‘You can couple FFF to all kinds of detectors, so the amount of information you can possibly gather is very rich.’
Isabelle and the KNCV will join forces to launch a national mentoring program for early-career researchers. This column is both a reflection on the power of mentorship and an invitation to join the pilot phase of this initiative.
Should fundamental research be adapted to meet the needs of businesses, Sjoerd Rijpkema asks himself. Or is there another solution?
Our members form the beating heart of our societies. Here, we regularly highlight one of them. This time, it’s NBV-member Katarina Cankar.
The CLEAR initiative at the University of Twente won the Dutch Education Award 2025. The jury was impressed by the systems thinking approach, which creates chemists that are well-suited for the challenges of tomorrow. So, what’s next?
The summer break offers academics more than rest – it’s a rare opportunity to pause, reflect, and realign. Isabelle Kohler shares how a quieter pace can help you recalibrate your academic compass and make intentional choices for the year ahead.
Isabelle Kohler shares why science communication – in whatever format works best – might be one of the most rewarding parts of any professional journey.
In the Netherlands, big steps are already taken in terms of the protein transition and precision fermentation. However, education is needed to ensure these major developments can continue. The English courses offered by Wageningen University & Research are a good start. ‘Training people to lead the field is important.’
Sjoerd Rijpkema recognises the merits of amending the Opium Act, but believes that this is only one side of the coin.
As academic work increasingly shapes personal identity, early-career researchers are especially vulnerable to over-identifying with their PhD. Isabelle Kohler shares how this dynamic affected her own journey and offers practical strategies to help PhD students and postdocs build a broader sense of self.