‘My children commit themselves every day to the same social cause’
Working at NRG PALLAS is something special for Paul van Dijk. It’s part of a larger whole that brings together technology, social relevance and family. ‘Sometimes we sit and talk for hours at the kitchen table about our work. We discuss everything, from the daily ins and outs at NRG PALLAS to the impact our medicines have on patients.’
Paul van Dijk
POSITION: Team leader, Electrical Maintenance
TEAM: Electrical Maintenance
JOINED NRG PALLAS IN: 2020
‘It’s important to me that my work means something to society,’ Paul says. For 35 years, he served as a radar technician in the Royal Netherlands Navy. ‘Every day, I worked to protect our country. After completing my military service, I wanted to continue making a positive contribution to society. I could’ve worked in mortgages – that helps people too – but I wanted something with more meaning. And I’ve found it again at NRG PALLAS: technical work that advances nuclear medicine.'
Working together to ensure safe machines
As the team leader of Electrical Maintenance, Paul is responsible for ensuring that all electrical systems in the nuclear laboratories operate safely and reliably. ‘This includes everything from machines and ventilation systems to electric cranes that move containers with nuclear materials. My work ranges from scheduled maintenance to rapid response when something malfunctions, and that requires thinking on your feet under pressure. That’s when you see the strength of a team. All the electricians in my team bring their own skills and areas of expertise. Putting that puzzle together is what makes the job so rewarding for me.’
Proud father of two colleagues
Speaking of the power of teamwork, Paul’s two children have been working at NRG PALLAS for several years now. ‘My son Rick is a technical draughtsman, and my daughter Emma is a research associate in the Research & Development department. I’m incredibly proud of them. We often have long conversations about our work, from what’s happening day to day at NRG PALLAS to the impact our medicines have on people’s lives.’
‘Sometimes they ask me for help. Emma is about to take her exam for the internal “radiation safety” training course. It teaches you how to handle radiation safely to prevent contamination. Every now and then, we go over the material together. It’s quite special to share that experience with your child.’
Working on something bigger than yourself
‘The fact that my children now work at NRG PALLAS too says a lot about the values we share. We’re all committed to an important social goal. Here, that means developing the very best isotopes for diagnosing and treating diseases such as cancer. We get to do that for 30,000 people every day.’