Register now: PCDI Postdoc Retreat

Posted on January 17, 2012 by proutadmin

The PCDI Postdoc Retreat is a 3-day course for final year PhD students and postdocs in the Life Sciences and focuses on personal, professional and career development of young scientists.

Regardless of how talented or passionate you are about science, positions in academia are scarce and only 1 out of 10 PhDs will eventually make it to a principle investigator. Take part from 28 – 30 March 2012 to find out from how to take charge of your future: It involves much more than winning grants and a strong publication record.

Work out with 80 – 100 fellow young scientists what is important to you when it comes to professional development. Discover your hidden skills and improve your transferable skills at the training workshops. Attend inspiring keynote lectures by successful PhDs, discuss with key players in the Life Sciences and develop a vision at our forum about your position as a young scientist in society. Network with successful PhDs who followed very different career paths. They are invited to give you a kick-start in career orientation.

No matter whether you have a career in academia or elsewhere in mind, at the PCDI Postdoc Retreat you will hear how your PhD can be a stepping stone to success. This career event has been attended by >600 early career scientists, including researchers from abroad.

This course is organised by the Postdoc Career Development Initiative (PCDI) and is endorsed by numerous Dutch universities and academic medical centres. Visit www.pcdi.nl for more information on the programme, registration and options to fund your participation.

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Results from the PhD survey

Posted on January 17, 2012 by proutadmin

The Centre for Teaching and Learning (former IVLOS) carried out a PhD Survey (Promovendimonitor) amongst all of the PhDs working at the UU on behalf of the executive board. This study focused on the judgment of PhDs about their environment: topics such as supervision, progress, courses, intellectual climate, preparing for the labour market and other academic activities were included in the survey. Over 1500 of the almost 3000 PhDs who were contacted, participated in the study. The PhD Survey was carried out for the second time. The first time it was held was in 2002. The results of both studies were compared to each other.

Most important results

On average the PhDs judged all of the topics with a 7.4. In 2002 this average was a 6.8. A small, but not to be ignored, step forward. A small part of the respondents (6%) gave the PhD experiences and the whole spectrum of supervision, facilities, support and work- and learning-environment an insufficient grade. 13% graded the whole PhD experience 6 out of 10 and the majority (over 80%) judges the PhD environment with a grade between 7 and 10.

Issues that need more attention according to the PhDs are the working conditions and supervision. But expectations, courses and training, participation in the academic community and personal circumstances are issues that need attention as well. It is remarkable that 36% of the PhDs report to have little to no room for taking part in courses. The average quality of courses is judged with a 3.8 out of 5. The full report should become available early 2011, the summary can be downloaded here.

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New courses for PhD students in English

Posted on January 17, 2012 by proutadmin

The Centre of Teaching and Learning has build up a huge amount of experience in supporting PhD students in developing general academic skills to facilitate their doctorate. We are now able to present some of our ‘old’ courses in English. Completely new is our course for Asian PhD candidates: “How to manage your PhD project”. See the course descriptions below.

 

  • How to manage your PhD project (for Asian PhD candidates)

The Centre of Teaching and Learning Utrecht University developed a course especially for Asian PhD candidates to support them in gaining grip on the PhD process. The course starts at January the 15th. More information.

  • Research planning and time management for PhD’s

This course helps you in planning your PhD research project (long term and mid range), monitoring progress, selecting relevant activities and prioritizing, planning your working week and workday, working style and procrastination. The first new course will start at January the 31st. More information.

  • Presenting your research at conferences

This course will help you to prepare a presentation, to give a presentation, to participate in an international conference, and take advantage of tips & tricks for non-native speakers of English. More information.

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BCF Career Event 2012

Posted on October 23, 2011 by proutadmin

On Thursday May 24th 2012 the 8th edition of BCF Career Event will take place. BCF Career Event is the largest career fair for  Life Sciences, Chemistry, Food & Pharma in The Netherlands with more than 2,000 visitors and about 100 exhibitors.

For more information, see the BCF Career Event website.

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Ds Visscherprijs: best thesis

Posted on October 23, 2011 by proutadmin

The Ds. Visscherprijs is a bi-annual prize for the best thesis in the field of healthcare and support for people with a mental disability. For more information, see Ds Visscherprijs Folder (Dutch).

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BioBusiness Summer School 2012

Posted on October 23, 2011 by proutadmin

Are you a PhD, postdoc or a MSc student in Life Sciences? Do you want to know more about business subjects such as product development, intellectual property rights, business models, entrepreneurship and finance? Do you want more insight in your career possibilities outside academia? And do you want to get in touch with experts from leading companies? Then register for BioBusiness Summer School 2012.

BioBusiness Summer School will take place from June 25th – 29th 2012 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. This international summer school is set up for PhD, postdocs and MSc students with a Life Sciences background to support their career orientation in industry and to teach them the principles of biobusiness. The intensive five-day program will feature inspiring speakers, guest subject specialists and professional trainers.

Only a limited number of participants can be accommodated. If you are interested in participation, then register as soon as possible. An early-bird discount is available if you register before January 1st, 2012. For more information download here the leaflet or visit the website www.biobusinesssummerschool.nl.

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Promoveren: Een wegwijzer voor de beginnend wetenschapper.

Posted on October 13, 2011 by proutadmin

For Dutch PhD candidates: there is a book about doing a PhD which might be of interest to you. Quoting the writer :

Wat betekent het in de praktijk om in dienst te zijn van een universiteit? Wat zijn struikelblokken en hoe zijn die te overkomen? Van het presenteren van eigen werk tot RSI; alles komt aan bod in deze succesvolle wegwijzer in de academische wereld.

You can find the table of contents of ‘Promoveren‘ by Herman Lelieveldt attached.

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