Career guidance for PhDs and postdocs
Career guidance for PhDs and postdocs
Intake interview on 6 or 7 September 2027 | VIB/UGent FSVM II
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 September 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
14 September or 21 September 2027
Discover your career options
An individual time slot of 60 minutes
5 October 2027
Personal branding
Personal branding - group session (room L4, 4th floor)
12 or 19 October 2027
Detect your qualities and downsides
An individual time slot of 60 minutes
9 November 2027
Discover your competences
Discover your competences - group session (room L4, 4th floor)
16 November or 23 November 2027
Review your CV and cover letter
An individual time slot of 60 minutes
7 December 2027
Convincing a jury
Convincing a jury - group session (room L4, 4th floor)
Practical info
06 September 2027 - 07 December 2027
Ghent - VIB/UGent FSVM II
Technologiepark 75
9052 Zwijnaarde
Belgium
06 September 2027 - 07 December 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.
06 September 2027 - 07 December 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.
06 September 2027 - 07 December 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.