Career guidance for PhDs and postdocs
Career guidance for PhDs and postdocs
Intake interviews on 4 & 5 January 2027
General context
After this training, you will:
- Identify career opportunities in and beyond academia that align with your values and motivations.
- Recognize and articulate transferable skills and personal strengths.
- Translate your research experience into a professional profile suited for multiple sectors.
- Analyze the job market to understand sectors, roles, and organizations.
- Communicate your goals and competencies effectively in applications and interviews.
- Define a clear action plan based on your aspirations and career drivers.
This program combines group sessions for peer learning with individual coaching tailored to your needs.
After an interview intake, you choose the modules that fit your goals, creating a personalized career path.
Capacity is limited (12 for individual coaching, 15 for group sessions) and selection is based on motivation, availability, and career planning urgency.
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
- 4 or 5 January 2027 - 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
12 or 19 January 2027
Discover your career options
An individual time slot of 60 minutes
2 February 2027
Personal branding
Personal branding - group session (room L4, 4th floor)
16 February or 2 March 2027
Detect your qualities and downsides
An individual time slot of 60 minutes
9 March 2027
Discover your competences
Discover your competences - group session (room L4, 4th floor)
16 March or 13 April 2027
Review your CV and cover letter
An individual time slot of 60 minutes
20 April 2027
Convincing a jury
Convincing a jury - group session (room L4, 4th floor)
Practical info
04 January 2027 - 20 April 2027
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Technologiepark 75
9052 Zwijnaarde
Belgium
04 January 2027 - 20 April 2027
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
From Ghent Sint-Pieters station, you can take a bus to Technologiepark. Please check Routeplanner De Lijn for schedules.
04 January 2027 - 20 April 2027
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.
04 January 2027 - 20 April 2027
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.