This year, the University of Groningen in the Netherlands made
its first appearance on the list of Best Places to Work in
Academia, taking fourth place among international institutions. The
distinction was a long time in coming. Founded in 1614, the
University of Groningen is the second oldest university in the
Netherlands.
Without the star power of universities like Oxford and
Cambridge, Groningen attracts and retains top researchers by making
an effort to promote from within. The university has implemented a
rigorous Master's and PhD track program to train their students for
faculty positions at the university, says Franjo Weissing, director
of the Graduate School of Science. "We scout and nurture our own
scientific talents." Between 10 and 20 percent of faculty members
studied at the university before being hired.
Groningen also makes an effort to attract female researchers
through the Rosalind Franklin Fellowship Program, a tenure-track
program geared to the advancement of women in science. The
fellowship thrives because of a mentoring program that matches a
senior researcher with a junior one. The awardee receives advice
and guidance on how to establish and run a research group and how
to publish in the top journals, says Melinda Mills, a professor of
social and behavioral sciences who went through the program and now
runs her own sociology and behavioral science lab.