Career guidance for PhDs and postdocs
Career guidance for PhDs and postdocs
Intake interview on 6 or 7 January 2026
General context
- Identify career opportunities inside and outside academia that align with personal values, motivation, and career drivers.
- Articulate transferable skills, competences, and personal strengths in a professional context.
- Translate research experience into a tailored professional profile suitable for non-academic sectors.
- Analyze the labor market landscape to distinguish between sectors, job roles, and organizational types.
- Communicate career goals and competencies effectively in job applications and interviews.
- Evaluate personal aspirations to define actionable next steps in a career development plan.
This course consists of three thematic modules, each covering a key aspect of career development. Every module includes both a group session (to learn from peers) and an individual coaching session (to tailor insights to your personal situation).
The program begins with an intake conversation, where participants select the sessions that best match their current needs and goals. You are free to compose your own path by choosing the modules that are most relevant to you.
The course is offered each semester and has limited capacity:
12 participants for individual sessions
15 participants for group sessions
Admission is based on motivation, availability, and urgency in career planning.
This training is explicitly meant for PhDs and postdocs within VIB who will finish their project in the coming two years (2026/2027).
Interested to know where the VIB alumni end up after their time at VIB? You can find several alumni testimonials on our VIB alumni webpages.
Trainers
Lucia Smit
Dr. Lucia Smit is founder of Braingain, organizational sociologist and certified professional co-active coach (CPCC). Lucia started her career as a management consultant of companies and governments. She then studied the careers of scientists as a member of an OECD working group. Since 2007 Lucia guides professionals in translating their ambitions to the needs of their work environment and the labor market. Increasing self-knowledge is the starting point.
Program
- 6 or 7 January 2026 - Intake interviews
- Module 1: Career Exploration
- Module 2: Discover your competences and qualities
- Module 3: Effective job application
Individual intake interviews
An individual time slot of 30 minutes (room L0)
13 or 20 January 2026
Discover your career options
An individual time slot of 60 minutes (13 Jan. -> room L0 / 20 Jan. -> room L3)
3 February 2026
Personal branding
Personal branding - group session (room L4)
10 February or 3 March 2026
Detect your qualities and downsides
An individual time slot of 60 minutes (room L0)
10 March 2026
Discover your competences
Discover your competences - group session (room L4)
17 or 24 March 2026
Review your CV and cover letter
An individual time slot of 60 minutes (room L0)
13 May 2026
Convincing a jury
Convincing a jury - group session (room L4)
Practical info
06 January 2026 - 13 May 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Technologiepark 75
9052 Zwijnaarde
Belgium
06 January 2026 - 13 May 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
From Ghent Sint-Pieters station, you can take a bus to Technologiepark. Please check Routeplanner De Lijn for schedules.
06 January 2026 - 13 May 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Looking for a custom cycling route? Try the online cycling route planner to easily and quickly identify the fastest, safest and/or most scenic route to any destination in Ghent.
Cycling route planner
Shared bicycles:
Several providers are active in the area.
Take a look at their platforms:
- Indigo Weel Pro app
- Bluebike
- DOTT
- BOLT eBikes
- Donkey Republic
There are also some public bicycle pumps at the park.
06 January 2026 - 13 May 2026
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
There is only one entrance to Technologiepark. At the entrance, please take a ticket - Parking is only allowed in regular parking spots (for instance in front of the building) and in the parking tower. Parking alongside the roads or in other places where there is no regular parking is prohibited.