Managing your PhD
Managing your PhD
12 October, 9, 17 & 30 November 2026, 13h - 17h
General context
A PhD is both a scientific and personal journey. Managing it effectively is key to success. Beyond your research, you need to set clear goals, plan realistically, stay motivated, and navigate complex academic environments.
This course focuses on the three pillars of PhD success: your project, yourself, and your environment. Through practical tools and peer discussions, you will learn how to plan and prioritize, manage your time and energy, and build productive relationships with supervisors and collaborators.
After this course, you will:
- Define the scope and goals of your PhD and create a realistic project plan with milestones.
- Adapt plans and priorities when circumstances change, while keeping long-term objectives in view.
- Improve time management, focus, and motivation through practical self-leadership strategies.
- Build resilience and confidence in handling setbacks and challenges.
- Map your academic environment and develop strategies to work effectively with supervisors and other stakeholders.
The training consists of 4 (half-day) sessions. These 4 sessions are likely spread out over multiple weeks, as the participants need to apply what they have learned during the training to their own PhD.
PhD students working in VIB Centers.
This course is part of the learning path Basic research essentials.
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
Trainers
Jochen Roef
As a clinical psychologist, I have dedicated over 20 years to human growth and development. My passion lies in guiding individuals, teams and organizations to break patterns, enhance collaboration and create sustainable change. With an approach that combines scientific insights with practical experience, I work on all levels of human existence, inspired by evidence based models.
In addition to my psychological expertise, I have built a valuable business background, including founding Blinc and Traicie. My experience in developing innovative learning pathways and my focus on human-machine collaboration enable me to help organizations grow from a human-centered perspective
As the author of 2 books on behavioral change and customer orientations, I am eager to share my insights to inspire professionals towards personal and business transformation.
About True Colours®
True Colours was founded on years of collaboration and a shared passion for people, development, teamwork and change. As a change consultancy, True Colours has built a strong position withing research and academic organizations (around 70% of the work is with universities and research institutes). Their approach is human-centered and context-aware. True Colours has been working with VIB for almost 20 years.
More info: truecolours.be
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
12 October 2026 - 30 November 2026
Leuven - Campus Gasthuisberg
Herestraat 49
3000 Leuven
Belgium
12 October 2026 - 30 November 2026
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.
12 October 2026 - 30 November 2026
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).
12 October 2026 - 30 November 2026
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.