Welcome to the real world - What is your role as PhD in R&D?

“The real world starts after your PhD” is it truth or myth? How can you bridge the gap between academia and industry? To solve this question, you need to start by understanding what is available in the industry. What are the different type of roles? What are the parallels and differences with your academic career? In this workshop by Robin Lefèbvre (Grow2Excel) we will provide a ‘behind the scenes perspective’ of a typical R&D organisation, the different roles and responsibilities. You will be given an R&D case study and get to experience the typical functions involved in the innovation and production process. 

This workshop is designed to explore how R&D operates in industry. Participants from all scientific backgrounds are welcome and will gain insights however, those from beta-science will benefit most.

Learning outcomes

After having attended this workshop, you will ...

• understand the general structure of an (industrial) R&D organisation,
• understand the different roles and responsibilities within an R&D organisation,
• know the key expectations and deliverables of a PhD profile in an R&D organisation,
• break the ‘real world’ myth, by identifying the parallels between academia and industry.

Competences

An important part of preparing for any further professional step is becoming (more) aware of the competences you have developed and/or want to develop. In the current workshop, the following competences from the UHasselt competency overview are actively dealt with:

• interpersonal competences:
  • collaboration
  • oral communication
• intellectual competences
  • creativity
  • problem solving
• personal effectiveness:
  • autonomy
  • entrepreneurship
    
    

For whom?

• PhD students & postdocs
• 30 places available. Priority will be given to people approaching the end of their contract.

When and where?

• May 6, 2025 - 09:00-16:30
• Location: campus Diepenbeek, Room C25

Registration?

• Registration is possible via this link from February 3 until April 13, 2025.
• As places are limited, registering does not automatically imply that you will be able to participate. You will be notified by email after the registration deadline has passed.
• Please cancel your registration at least one week in advance in case you cannot make it (cf. cancellation & no-show policy).

Acknowledged as?

• DS BSH: category 'career management & personal development' - workshop on career management
• DS HLS: category 'transferable skills' - compulsory elective course
• DS ST: category 'career & personal development' - workshop on career management