Advent calendar - December 23rd - Renate Hekkema-Nieborg

In the Zernike Institute Advent Calendar, we are presenting 24 short spotlights in December. In these specials, we highlight PhD students, postdocs, support staff and technicians of our research groups and team - providing a glimpse into their typical day at work. In Episode 23 meet Renate Hekkema-Nieborg, Management Office Assistant for the Photophysics & OptoElectronics group, and partly for Molecular Energy Materials (at the Stratingh institute), as well.

Hi, I’m Renate Hekkema and I work as a Management Office Assistant for the Photophysics & OptoElectronics group, and partly for Molecular Energy Materials (at the Stratingh institute), as well. You can find me in the FBG, on the 1st floor at the Loi / Koster group hallway.

I started working at the University of Groningen in 2002 at the Solid State Physics cluster of ZIAM. In 2006 I moved to Molecular Electronics, which eventually “evolved” into the current groups I am working for.

My main task is the general secretarial support to my staff members (Maria Antonietta Loi, Jan Anton Koster, Edwin Otten and Remco Havenith) with whom I have a very pleasant working relationship. My tasks can vary from scheduling meetings, arranging travel & lodging for staff and guests, helping out students and PhDs with day-to-day affairs and bureaucratic matters, guarding deadlines, several general administrative tasks, etc. I am also closely involved in organising symposia and in particular the bi-annual Next Generation PV Materials conferences for which I have also built the website and keep the budget overviews.

In the years I have seen many people coming and going. This dynamic work environment is something which makes the job interesting for me. It is always nice to meet people from all over the world and see them find their way in the academic world.

Of course, the work comes with its challenges as well. Every time a new administrative tool gets introduced, it comes with the usual year+ of “teething-problems” before it actually works sufficiently. Plus, for me working within two institutes has both its advantages and disadvantages. But in general, sorting out these things keeps me sharp and flexible, and I have learned a lot from them. Even if it’s only to laugh about some things rather than to get frustrated too much.

Overall, working at the university, and in particular at my research groups, is something that I enjoy a lot. The interaction with and support of my staff and group members and a small network of fellow MOA’s & OBP is something I really appreciate, as well as the fact that I can perform my tasks independently and to my own insight.

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays and all the best for 2026!

See all Advent Calendar items 2025 here!