The junior-professors have only just been granted their PhDs, but they will have almost the same rights and duties as their senior colleagues. During their appointment of 6 years they will lecture and be able to guide students towards their PhDs.
The university's Chairman of the Board De Voogd wants to prevent losing scientific talent from the academic world. Many young scientists choose a well-paid job and a lease-car over a career at the university.
Delft University also wants to foster a hipper image with the young scientists. 'The juniors will lecture in shorts as far as I'm concerned. I think that such a young professor will be more exciting to students', according to a delighted De Voogd.
The university hopes that the young professors will eventually move to a 'normal' professorship. For the moment Delft University is thinking of some twenty junior-professors, the first of which should be appointed after the summer.
