How to manage your PhD
How to manage your PhD
26 September, 17 October, 7 November 2025 & 4 February 2026, from 09h to 13h
General context
To be successful in your PhD, you need to be able to “manage” your project, yourself and your environment. This course focuses on all these 3 pillars.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Define the scope and key goals of their PhD research project.
Create a realistic and flexible project plan, using milestones on a weekly and monthly basis.
Adapt their plan and priorities when circumstances change, while maintaining long-term focus.
Identify key stakeholders (e.g. supervisors, collaborators) and develop strategies to influence them effectively, both proactively and reactively.
Improve their ability to get things done within the academic environment by managing expectations and building alliances.
Apply principles of self-management, including focus, time use, and maintaining motivation.
Build resilience to setbacks and learn how to shift to an alternative strategy (Plan B) when needed.
This course consists of four half-day sessions, typically spread over multiple weeks. Between sessions, participants are encouraged to apply the concepts to their own PhD project, allowing for reflection, feedback, and real-world integration of the tools.
Each session addresses one or more of the three pillars of PhD success:
Project (planning, scope, milestones),
Self (resilience, time management, motivation),
Environment (stakeholder management, communication).
The training is highly interactive and tailored to the real-life challenges of participants. Practical templates, exercises, and peer discussions are used to support individual progress.
PhD students working in VIB Centers.
The training learned me a lot on how I react in discussions and that had me reflect on how I behave in my work environment.
Participant edition autumn 2024
It was very inspiring and now I feel more confident in my PhD, because I know what are the problems to expect and ways to tackle them.
Participant edition spring 2023
Very useful content, a lot of practical exercises, a lot of interaction, very well prepared trainer, friendly, open and safe atmosphere, good training planning, appropriate number of participants. The training exceeded my expectations.
Participant edition autumn 2022
Program
Session 1:
- Project Management instead of routine or improvisation
- Different types of projects
- Project management in a research project
- Contracting between project leader and client
- Bermuda triangle (goals, resources, timing)
- Project charter
Session 2:
- Project charter (continued)
- Milestones planning
- Kick-off, follow-up and closing of projects
- Getting things done
- Prioritize things
Session 3:
- Milestone plan
- Stakeholder management
- Influencing people
- Determining your own style
Session 4:
- Stakeholder analysis and communication plan
- Integration of learned lessons and how to project management has influence on it
Practical info
26 September 2025 - 21 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Belgium
26 September 2025 - 21 November 2025
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.
26 September 2025 - 21 November 2025
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).
26 September 2025 - 21 November 2025
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.
26 September 2025 - 21 November 2025
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
26 September - room O&N5 5th floor 404-28.05.347
17 October - room O&N5 9th floor 404-28.09.331
7 November - room O&N5 5th floor 404-28.05.347
4 February 2026 - room O&N5 4th floor 404-28.04.343