Before entering politics, van Eijck studied economics at Erasmus University. He then became a lecturer in fiscal economics and financial planning at Erasmus University and was an economics teacher at the HES (Economic Studies College) in Rotterdam.[1] During the formation of the first Balkenende cabinet, he was an advisor to the Pim Fortuyn List. For the same cabinet, he was appointed State Secretary of Finance on behalf of the LPF on 22 June 2002.
After retiring from politics, van Eijck has served as chairman of Bicycle and Automotive Industry (RAI),[2], chairman of the Economic Development Board Rotterdam and since 2018 as a member of the Social Economic Council (SER).[3][4] He is also a columnist for Algemeen Dagblad newspaper.[3] It was announced in May 2024 that Van Eijck would take on a part-time government role as special envoy for circular economy. The Netherlands had set a target to have fully circular economy by 2050.[5]
