Career guidance for PhDs and postdocs
Career guidance for PhDs and postdocs
Intake interview on 11 or 12 September 2025
General context
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Identify suitable career opportunities inside and outside academia based on personal values, motivations, and career drivers.
- Recognize and articulate their transferable skills, competences, and personal strengths.
- Translate their research experience into a professional profile that aligns with non-academic job contexts (e.g. industry, government, non-profit).
- Build a clearer understanding of the labour market landscape, including sectors, job roles, and organizational types.
- Communicate their career goals and competencies confidently and professionally in job applications and interviews.
- Reflect on their personal aspirations and define next steps in their 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
Intake interview:
11 or 12 September 2025 - an individual slot of 30 minutes (O&N4 04.23)
Module 1: Career Exploration
Discover your career options
19 September or 3 October 2025 - an individual slot of 60 minutes (O&N4 04.23)
Personal branding
10 October 2025 - group session from 10h00 - 13h00 (O&N5 5th floor 404-28.05.347)
Module 2: Discover your competences and qualities
Detect your qualities and downsides
17 or 24 October 2025 - an individual slot of 60 minutes (O&N4 04.23)
Discover your competences
14 November 2025 - group session from 10h00 - 13h00 (O&N5 5th floor 404-28.05.347)
Module 3: Effective job application
Review your CV and cover letter
21 November or 5 December 2025 - an individual slot of 60 minutes (O&N4 04.23)
Convincing a jury
12 December 2025 - group session from 10h00 - 13h00 (O&N5 5th floor 404-28.05.347)
Practical info
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Belgium
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Leuven train station is approximately 4 km from the campus Gasthuisberg. Buses depart very regularly to the Gasthuisberg Campus from Leuven train station.
For tickets and up to date schedules visit website De Lijn or use the De Lijn App.
Exit at the very last bus stop ‘Gasthuisberg Campus) make sure not to exit at ‘Gasthuisberg Kliniek =
hospital)
Once you get off the bus, go to your right and go up the street until you see stairs to your left. Climb the stairs all the way up between two buildings. Look for the signs containing blue circles and white numbers and follow them all the way from 2 up to number 12. You will cross several buildings and the walk will take max. 10 minutes. When you reach number 12, you have reached O&N 5, where you can find the reception.
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
The Gasthuisberg campus is west of the Leuven ring. Our buildings are situated behind the hospital (see black arrow near ‘RING NOORD’ on the map). If you come from the city center, you will arrive on campus from the east side (taking Mgr. Van Waeyenberglaan and roundabout Het Teken). If you come from Heverlee or Campus Arenberg, you will arrive from the west side (taking the Celestijnenlaan and Taborweg). When you arrive uphill at the intersection with the Rega Institute and the Red Cross building, you need to take the road down to the bicycle parking at Rega Institute (see map) where you can park. Next, follow the ‘Onderwijs & Navorsing blue route’ description below (start point is #9).
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
You arrive via the E314 highway – EXIT 16
After 200 m, keep left to drive underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
You arrive via the Leuven ring road
At the roundabout, take the exit towards ‘Spoed / Ziekenhuis’.
Follow the ring around Campus Gasthuisberg and pass the entrance of SPOED.
Continue right until you arrive at a second roundabout.
Follow the directions for E314.
Near the Fire Brigade Station, make a U-turn and follow the directions for ‘Ziekenhuis’.
Keep left and drive downhill, underneath the roundabout and into the tunnel.
Keep left and follow the arrows to Parking West.
Next, leave the parking at level +1 using the big stairs near the vending machines.
Follow the red carpet and arrows to 'Onco Dagcentrum' to get to the O&N buildings. Take the stairs on your left after exiting Parking West. You are now in front of the O&N4 building; on the left you will find O&N5.