Info sessions
On Thursday 26 March you can take part in live workshops, debates and info sessions. No need to register beforehand, unless otherwise indicated. PhDs and postdocs attending the 12:00 panel debate will be granted early access to Hall 1.
Hall 1 - PhD Career Insights Corner
12:00
The Ghent University Postdoc Community invites PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers to a live panel discussion on moving from academia to industry and other non-academic careers.
PhD holders bring creativity, problem-solving skills, versatility, and resilience—qualities that open doors far beyond the university. Yet the step outside academia can feel uncertain. Representatives from leading Belgian employers will discuss key questions: What opportunities fit a research background? Which soft skills matter most? How can you present them convincingly? And what level of seniority should you aim for in a first role?
This session aims to reduce the uncertainty around career transition and to empower researchers with real-world perspectives from employers.
PhDs and postdocs attending the 12:00 panel debate will be granted early access to Hall 1.
Panel Discussion: How to Leverage Scientific Training Beyond Academia For a Successful Transition to a Non-Academic Career
1h 10min. -Link for participation
13:30
This energising kick-off session will give PhD candidates and postdocs a concrete playbook to stand out at the interuniversity Job Market for Young Researchers. In 30 minutes, we will cover five key moves: nailing a 30-second pitch that sticks, what to say at a booth (and how to follow up), quick CV tweaks for on-the-spot conversations, and simple networking scripts plus post-fair follow-up templates. Participants will leave with a practical toolkit they can apply immediately as they navigate the fair.
Job Market for Young Researchers Playbook: 5 Moves to Stand Out in 30 Minutes
30 min. - ADOC TALENT MANAGEMENT Benelux - dr. Laurence Theunis
14:20
Hiring practices are changing fast, and advanced degrees alone no longer guarantee clarity to recruiters. This session explores how to present your experience in ways that resonate beyond academia, even as AI reshapes application processes. You’ll learn practical strategies for making your CV concise and impactful, crafting focused application notes, and using technology wisely without losing authenticity. The goal: help you stand out for the right reasons in a competitive, tech-driven job market.
Beyond the PhD CV: Signalling your value in an AI hiring market
30 min. - Universiteit Gent - Tara Luttik
15:10
Transitioning from academia to industry is more than a career change—it requires a fundamental mindset shift. Many professionals encounter a skills gap along the way, but with focus and preparation, it can be bridged. Drawing on three in-depth analyses across life sciences, heavy industry, and finance, this talk identifies the skills that truly matter—not buzzwords, but the capabilities companies rely on every day. While these sectors differ, one insight is consistent: transferable skills are the foundation of long-term success.
Skills you need in industry
30 min. - dr. Frank Stumpe
16:00
This workshop confronts a common frustration among PhD researchers: “Industry doesn’t get me.”
It challenges that assumption and invites participants to flip the perspective and introduces the concept of industry language readiness: the ability to translate academic expertise into language that resonates beyond academia.
Rather than focusing on CVs or job applications, the session invites participants to reflect on how they communicate their value, skills, and impact. Through short exercises and live interaction, researchers will experiment with reframing their PhD experience in ways that are meaningful to industry and entrepreneurial contexts, without diluting their expertise.
Stop explaining your research. Start communicating your value.
30 min. - Steve Stevens
16:50
In an increasingly tight and selective labour market, PhDs and postdocs face growing challenges in translating their expertise beyond academia. This talk examines how employers across sectors perceive doctoral and postdoctoral profiles, why misperceptions around overqualification and overpayment persist, and how researchers can strategically position themselves to remain relevant and visible. Drawing on concrete examples across disciplines, the presentation offers practical guidance on signalling value, increasing employer-facing relevance, reframing academic experience, and navigating career transitions in uncertain market conditions.