The annual Randstad Employer Brand Research 2026 shows that Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) has been voted one of the most attractive employers in the Netherlands. In the public sector, the university ranks third among the fifty largest public organisations in the Netherlands. The top five in the public sector this year is as follows: TNO (1), Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital (2), Erasmus University Rotterdam (3), Erasmus MC (4) and Catharina Hospital (5).
According to the survey, respondents rate Erasmus University Rotterdam well in three areas:
- Reputation: The university is known nationally and internationally as a leading research and educational institution.
- Career development: EUR offers employees room to develop themselves, academically and professionally.
- The use of advanced technologies: the university is seen as an organisation that actively participates in technological developments.
The broader shift that the research shows within the public sector is striking. Whereas in 2025 job security and interesting work were the decisive factors, this year technology and reputation play a much bigger role. Career development is also gaining in importance.
How has this been studied?
The survey is carried out annually by Randstad, in collaboration with the independent research agency Kantar. In January 2026, 13,430 workers, students and jobseekers aged 18 to 67 completed an online questionnaire. They assessed the 150 largest Dutch organisations on their attractiveness as employers. The aim of the research is to provide insight into what people are looking for in an employer and which organizations are most successful in this.
What do employees look for in an ideal employer?
The results of the study paint a clear picture. "A pleasant working atmosphere is by far (76%) the most important quality that employees expect from an ideal employer, followed by a good work-life balance (68%)," says Oscar van Mourik, behavioral scientist at Randstad Netherlands. "This underlines that people-oriented factors play an increasingly important role in the choice of an ideal employer."
In addition, respondents cite interesting job content (57%), a competitive salary and working conditions (54%) and job security (51%) as important factors. In the public sector, however, salary plays a remarkably smaller role than in the private sector. Employees in the public sector mainly opt for stability, content and social relevance.
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Our university combines scientific research with a clear social mission: knowledge that matters. That is precisely what makes Erasmus University Rotterdam attractive to people who are not only looking for a job, but a place where their work makes a difference.
Curious about the possibilities? View the vacancies and our terms of employment on Working at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
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