Lectures & Workshops

The PhD Day brings together inspiring speakers and hands-on workshops designed to broaden perspectives and support the professional growth of PhD and Research Master students. Experts from academia, industry, and beyond will share their experiences through engaging lectures and interactive sessions that connect research with real-world practice.

 

Keynotes and Plenary Session

Fireside chat: Unlocking Academic Talent – From Knowledge to Innovation

Prof. Jacquelien Scherpen, Constantijn van Oranje & Beau-Anne Chilla – Morning plenary session

Constantijn van Oranje is a strong advocate for innovation and entrepreneurship, serving as Special Envoy for TechLeap NL to help accelerate Dutch tech companies. With a background in law and an MBA from INSEAD, he has worked in European policy, strategy and digital-technology roles, bringing academic knowledge into real-world business impact. He encourages startups, scale-ups and PhD-level talent to build ventures that bridge research and the market, contributing to a thriving ecosystem of innovation.

Prof. Scherpen has been Rector Magnificus of the University of Groningen since 1 September 2023. With a strong background in applied mathematics and leadership roles linking academia and industry, she champions both excellent research and entrepreneurial thinking. She encourages PhD candidates to turn their ideas into real-world business and startup opportunities.

Beau-Anne is a Partner at FORWARD.one, a Dutch venture capital firm focused on early-stage investments in deeptech. FORWARD.one invests across Europe in semiconductors, quantum technologies, industrial tech, and climate tech innovations. She holds an MSc in Industrial Engineering from the University of Groningen. In addition to her role at FORWARD.one, she serves on the Supervisory Board of Milieu Centraal and was included in the 'Top 50 Women in Sustainable Finance' list in 2024, and the FD Talents 2025 list (Dutch Financial Times).

Keynote: The Dark Side of Science Communication – Communicating Science in a Changing Media Landscape

Dr. Marieke Baan – Afternoon plenary session

Science communication has many faces, ranging from visual to digital content, press releases, and citizen science, to offline activities like public events, all aimed at sharing scientific results and engaging diverse audiences. This talk will focus on digital communication and media management. What are the misconceptions and pitfalls? How is the media landscape changing? How do you adapt your communication strategy to these changes?

Marieke Baan is trained as a communication scientist and worked as a journalist before she started as communication lead at NOVA (the alliance of the four Dutch university astronomy institutes). She received several prizes for public engagement projects. She is the Dutch media representative of ESO, secretary of the Organizing Committee of the IAU Commission Communicating Astronomy with the Public, and board member of the Dutch Association of Science Journalists and Communicators (VWN). Asteroid (12631) mariekebaan is named after her.

Morning parallel session 1

Panel discussion: pathways to building your own company

Anne Been from SBGG, Richard Rushby from Innokite, Corina Prent from RUG Ventures & Joost Breukink from IP Team – Morning parallel session 1

You can't talk about research, without talking about impact. The transition from scientific to societal impact is not a straight line, or a one option road. During this panel discussion you'll hear from different angles, about different impact opportunities. Are you curious about the importance of protecting your research from being copied in this journey, if you could perhaps license the knowledge to a company who can use it to change the world, or are you exploring what it would mean to build your company from your research? The expert on this panel are here to help you navigate the winding roads from scientific to societal impact!

Lecture: Risk factors of depression and how to prevent it

Prof. Dr. Marie-José van Tol – Morning parallel session 1

Workshop: Make It in the North as an International PhD

Monica Scholte & Minke de Vries, Make it in the North – Morning parallel session 1 & afternoon parallel session 2

Join this session to learn about international-friendly companies and job opportunities in the Northern Netherlands, specifically aimed at PhDs who are considering a career outside of academia.

Expect insider tips & tricks on how to write your CV and cover letter for the Northern Dutch labor market, how to send open applications and how to build your professional AND social network in the North.

We'll also tackle what kind of visa options there are (including orientation year and startup visa).

Crash Course: Thesis production

Loek Pieters, ProefschriftMaken – Morning parallel session 1

If you’re looking for a fast and interesting way to get started in the world of thesis production, then come and join our workshop during the PhD Day at UMC Groningen! This fun and fast-paced session is designed to give PhD candidates a clear overview of what’s involved in creating and publishing a thesis book. We’ll cover everything from design choices and layout tips to paper, typography, and the printing process. In addition, we’ll share useful insights on planning your timeline and avoiding common pitfalls in the final phase of your PhD. The workshop is highly interactive: there will be plenty of time to ask your own questions, look at previously made books and get personalized advice. Best of all, every participant will leave not only with valuable knowledge, but also with exclusive discounts and resources to help them on their thesis journey. Don’t miss this opportunity!

Workshop: The next step – a postdoc

Roberto Lo Conte & Gosia Wlodarczyk – Morning parallel session 1-2

This workshop is tailored towards PhD students who are planning to continue an academic career after their PhD. The workshop will be divided in two parts. One part will deal with how to successfully look for a postdoc position which can be used as a stepping stone towards an academic career. The second part will go more into the details of what it means to apply for a professorship position at a University. The trainers will share information and suggestions about how to build an academic career, making strategic decisions and building your own brand.

Roberto Lo Conte is an Assistant Professor at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (Faculty of Science and Engineering) of the University of Groningen. He is one of the principal investigators (PI) in the research group Surfaces and Thin Films, studying the physical properties of atomically thin magnetic layers, superconducting materials and the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity in magnet-superconductor hybrid systems.

Gosia Włodarczyk-Biegun is an Assistant Professor at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (Faculty of Science and Engineering) at the University of Groningen, and an Associate Professor at the Silesian University of Technology in Poland. She works in the field of 3D bioprinting and biofabrication of complex tissue models, aiming to recapitulate the microenvironment of native healthy and diseased tissues.

Workshop: Power-Up Your PhD: How to turn LinkedIn into a showcase for your degree (outside academia)

Career Service – Morning parallel session 1

Three short letters that can make a world of difference: your PhD might well be your most important asset when job hunting, but do you know how to give your degree its proper due on LinkedIn? How do you translate your academic efforts into a clear, concise and convincing story that ensures recruiters and headhunters know how to find you? We’ll give you a crash course on the best ways to put your doctoral achievements in the online spotlight for optimal results in the world beyond academia.

A peak into the world of AI Agents

Dr. Kai Ma – Morning parallel session 1 & 2

I am an assistant professor who focuses on the integration of AI and education, with a particular interest in large language models. I research the effects of AI as learning tool, think about the impact of AI on learning and educate people about AI. In this workshop, we will talk about agentic AI. Specifically, in this workshop, I will walk you through a very basic literature search agent to uncover the inner workings of an AI agent.

Workshop: Giving constructive feedback

Dr. Agata Szperl – Morning parallel session 1 & 2

Workshop: LEGO® for Reproducibility

Dr. Yugyun Kim & Dr. Bjorn Bakker – Morning parallel session 1

Do you want to make sure that your data and research are reproducible? In this workshop, you’ll use LEGO® bricks to explore how to make your research transparent, reproducible, and collaborative. Through this fun activity, you will gain transferable skills in the research processes and documentation.

Lecture: Teaching and supervision support at the RUG

Dr. Mahshid Alvandi & Dr. Fabiola Figueroa – Morning parallel session 1 & Afternoon parallel session 2

Key insights to be shared: In our PhD Day session, we will highlight the key teaching and supervision support available to PhD candidates at the University of Groningen. We will introduce the three core training programmes, Introduction to Teaching, Start to Teach, and Start to Supervise, and explain how each course supports PhD students at different stages of their teaching and supervisory responsibilities. The focus will be on developing practical skills such as lesson planning, active learning, classroom management, effective feedback, and structured supervision.

Mahshid Alvandi is an educational advisor and trainer in the Department of Educational Support and Innovation (ESI) at the University of Groningen. With 21 years of experience in teaching and teacher training programs across Iran, Slovenia, and the Netherlands, she now focuses on educating teaching staff, including PhD students involved in teaching and supervisory roles.

Dr. Fabiola Figueroa is an educational advisor and trainer at the Department of Educational Support and Innovation (ESI) at the University of Groningen. She obtained her PhD in Educational Sciences at this university and later worked at Utrecht University, teaching several courses and supervising students. Currently, she is involved in teacher professionalization and particularly enjoys training PhD students who are engaged in teaching and supervising.

Lecture: Optimizing the PhD student-supervisor collaboration

Prof. Dr. Ingrid Molema – Morning parallel session 1

Morning parallel session 2

Lecture: Get Your PhD with Glee!

Prof. Dr. Stynke Castelein & Dr. Jojanneke Bruins – Morning parallel session 2

Jojanneke Bruins is a senior researcher at Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen. Stynke Castelein is professor of recovery from severe mental illness at the University of Groningen and department head of Lentis Research. Both have expertise in academic writing and supervise several PhD students.

In this lecture they discuss several challenges and opportunities of pursuing a PhD through practical advice, anecdotes, and Dutch PhD regulations, as described in their book "Get your PhD with glee!". How to get the PhD position of your dreams? How do you handle feedback, and what can you learn from it? And how do you successfully defend your dissertation? To answer these questions, they draw on their own experiences as well as those of other researchers from various disciplines.

Workshop: How can AI support healthcare?

Prof. Dr. Peter van Ooijen – Morning parallel session 2

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the landscape of modern healthcare. In this talk, I will explore how AI technologies are being leveraged to enhance patient care, streamline clinical workflows, and support decision-making in medical practice. From diagnostic imaging and predictive analytics to personalized treatment plans and administrative optimization, AI is enabling healthcare professionals to work more efficiently and deliver better outcomes. I will discuss real-world examples, ongoing research, and the challenges associated with integrating AI into daily practice, including ethical considerations, data privacy, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. Join me to discover how AI can be a powerful ally in shaping the future of healthcare.

Peter van Ooijen is a professor of AI in Radiotherapy at the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG). With a background in technical computer science from Delft University of Technology and a PhD from the University of Groningen, his research focuses on applying machine learning and deep learning in medical imaging. He leads innovative projects in AI and radiotherapy. Besides his work in the field of Radiotherapy he is also the Machine Learning Lab Coordinator at the Data Science Center in Health (DASH), and Content expert of the Digital Healhcare Education team. Internationally he is past-president and board member of EuSoMII and active in AI committees in the ESR, ESTRO and ESAIH.

Workshop: The architecture of a strong grant proposal: narrative, logic & impact

Dr. Marlies Kluck – Morning & afternoon parallel session 2

What makes a proposal stand out? A compelling story, a clear structure, reader-oriented use of language – and knowing what not to do. In this session, you'll learn how to craft a strong research narrative, design your project, connect your CV and avoid common early-career pitfalls in grant writing. We'll take a practical, hands-on approach to equip you with a foundational toolkit for future grant writing.

Workshop: From Research to Book – Thesis Design & Printing Made Easy

Canon – Morning parallel session 2

Ready to turn years of research into a beautifully printed thesis? Join Canon and Proefschrift AIO for a dynamic, hands-on workshop tailored for final-year PhD candidates preparing to submit their dissertations. In just 45 minutes, you'll discover how to transform your thesis into a professional, visually striking book that truly reflects your academic journey. Whether you need help with layout, cover design, printing or all three, this session is designed to meet your needs!

What to expect:
- Expert guidance on layout design, typography, and visual consistency
- Real-life examples to get inspiration and help you define your style
- Interactive Q&A: ask your questions and get personalized advice on the spot
- Flexible solutions: choose what fits you—layout and printing, printing only, or the full package
- Bonus: All participants receive an exclusive 10% discount voucher for their thesis printing order!

Workshop: The next step – a postdoc

Roberto Lo Conte & Gosia Wlodarczyk – Morning parallel session 1-2

This workshop is tailored towards PhD students who are planning to continue an academic career after their PhD. The workshop will be divided in two parts. One part will deal with how to successfully look for a postdoc position which can be used as a stepping stone towards an academic career. The second part will go more into the details of what it means to apply for a professorship position at a University. The trainers will share information and suggestions about how to build an academic career, making strategic decisions and building your own brand.

Roberto Lo Conte is an Assistant Professor at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (Faculty of Science and Engineering) of the University of Groningen. He is one of the principal investigators (PI) in the research group Surfaces and Thin Films, studying the physical properties of atomically thin magnetic layers, superconducting materials and the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity in magnet-superconductor hybrid systems.

Gosia Włodarczyk-Biegun is an Assistant Professor at the Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials (Faculty of Science and Engineering) at the University of Groningen, and an Associate Professor at the Silesian University of Technology in Poland. She works in the field of 3D bioprinting and biofabrication of complex tissue models, aiming to recapitulate the microenvironment of native healthy and diseased tissues.

Workshop: Perfect Pitch: How to convey your qualities and skills in 5 minutes or less

Career Service – Morning parallel session 2

Who are you? What is it that makes you unique? In other words: how do you pitch yourself? Being able to convincingly convey your personal story during a brief one-on-one can make all the difference on the job market - so let’s ensure you’ve got the perfect pitch. At the end of this crash course, you’ll have found the right angle, the right structure and the right tone to ensure that – even when pressed for time – your story gets told the way you want it to.

A peak into the world of AI Agents

Dr. Kai Ma – Morning parallel session 1 & 2

I am an assistant professor who focuses on the integration of AI and education, with a particular interest in large language models. I research the effects of AI as learning tool, think about the impact of AI on learning and educate people about AI. In this workshop, we will talk about agentic AI. Specifically, in this workshop, I will walk you through a very basic literature search agent to uncover the inner workings of an AI agent.

Workshop: Giving constructive feedback

Dr. Agata Szperl – Morning parallel session 1 & 2

Workshop: From PhD to Industry – Discover Your Next Career Direction

Yingqing Gong – Morning parallel session 2

Yingqing (Qing) Gong helps international talents discover their strengths and navigate the Dutch job market. With over eight years at the University of Groningen and her role as Account Manager at Make it in the North, she uniquely connects academia, business, and government. Through Thrive Coaching & Consulting, Qing guides internationals in building networks, exploring career paths, and taking practical steps toward meaningful careers in the Netherlands.

What will I learn in this workshop? This workshop helps PhD students gain clarity on their next steps and understand how to position their academic experience for success in industry.

You will:
- Learn how to start preparing for a professional career in industry.
- Discover your transferable skills and how to present your PhD experience in industry-relevant language.
- Gain insights into the Dutch job market in the North and understand what companies in the Netherlands value in employees.

Expect an engaging and interactive session with exercises, reflection, and peer discussions to help you take concrete steps toward your professional future.

Workshop: Job Application Tips for PhD Candidates

Johan Martin de Vries, Brunel – Morning parallel session 2

Are you completing your PhD and wondering how to navigate the job market? This session will provide practical strategies to help you transition from academia to other sectors.

We’ll cover:
• Leveraging Your Skills: Identify transferable skills gained during your PhD, such as research, data analysis, and project management.
• Crafting a Strong CV and Cover Letter: Tailor your application to highlight impact and relevance for non-academic roles.
• Personal Branding: Learn how to define your unique value proposition and build a professional presence—both online and offline—that sets you apart.
• Interview Preparation: Communicate your expertise confidently and align it with employer needs.
• Networking and Job Search: Explore effective ways to connect with professionals and discover opportunities beyond academia.

Join us to gain actionable insights and boost your confidence in landing your next role!

Workshop: Introduction to Research AI Tools for the seven stages of research

Theo van Mourik, Center for Information Technology – Morning parallel session 2

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing research with innovative tools to streamline processes and boost productivity. This workshop explores how AI can enhance the seven stages of research: Discovery, Implementation, Analysis, Writing, Publication, Outreach, and Evaluation. Participants will experience how AI can save time and improve quality by using the right tools to identify research gaps, analyze data, draft manuscripts, and improve their work’s visibility and impact. This workshop on AI tooling is designed for academic staff, but no technical background is required.

Afternoon parallel session 1

Panel discussion: Diversity & Gender Equality in Science

Dr. Gosia Wlodarczyk-Biegun, Dr. Sina Goetzfried, Prof. Dr. Cisca Wijmenga & Prof. Dr. Janet Thompson Jackson – Afternoon parallel session 1

In this panel discussion, scientists from all career steps will discuss their experiences with diversity and how diversity and inclusivity can be further improved in academia.

Workshop: Unlock your future – Career opportunities after your PhD

Audrey Peters, Academic Transfer – Afternoon parallel session 1 & 2

Did you ever consider life beyond your PhD or postdoc in terms of career perspective? If not, do you know that about 70% of all PhD’s and 80% of all postdocs explore career possibilities outside of academia? But where do you start your search? And even if you find organisations or sectors that offer research positions, how can you tell if you fit in or meet the criteria? And if you do meet the criteria, how do you get in touch with these organisations or sectors? To answer these questions AcademicTransfer developed different tools for young researchers who want or need to explore their next career step. During this workshop we will show you how AcademicTransfer’s toolbox can support you on your career journey in research in the Netherlands.

At AcademicTransfer Audrey Peters is manager operations and product innovations, and project leader of ‘Making the Labour Market Transparent for Young Researchers’, In the past she held several management positions at the University of Amsterdam and was a coach and trainer for academic staff.

Workshop: More Stringent Antibody Validation Yields More Reliable Results

Cell Signaling – Afternoon parallel session 1

This workshop highlights the essential role of rigorous antibody validation. Although many commercial antibodies are available, a significant percentage of these reagents lack sufficient target specificity or show unwanted cross-reactivity. This widespread absence of proper quality control has serious consequences and contributes to the loss of valuable research funding and experimental time.

We will discuss practical, evidence-based strategies that you can apply immediately, including validation methods and established frameworks for assessing specificity. Learn how to strengthen your experimental design, produce publication-ready results, and safeguard the integrity of your data by demanding better validation.

Workshop: Research funding – How does it work and how can you get it?

Dr. Martijn Nolte, ZonMw – Afternoon parallel session 1

Martijn Nolte obtained his PhD in immunology from the Free University in Amsterdam and went on to lead his own research group at the AMC and later at Sanquin Blood Supply. Since 2021, he has been senior program manager at ZonMw’s 'More Knowledge with Fewer Animals' program. In this role, he promotes the development, validation, and implementation of animal-free research methods and the effective use of existing animal data through systematic reviews and data sharing.

In the workshop, he will speak about research funding and how to successfully obtain it, drawing on his experience both as a former PI and as a program manager at ZonMw.

Lecture: Off the beaten track in academia – co-creation and public engagement

Dr. Henk Mulder – Afternoon parallel session 1

Dr. Henk Mulder is a senior lecturer in Science Communication and former Director of the Master Science Education and Communication at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He is also one of the coordinators of the Science Shop at that faculty, which mediates research for civil society organizations. He has been active in many international collaboration projects on public engagement.

After my MSc in Chemistry, doing contract research, and obtaining my PhD in Energy and Environmental Sciences, I wanted a job with more direct impact and collaboration with societal actors. Over the past 35 years, this alternative academic career has been both thriving and occasionally surviving, but immensely satisfying as well.

In this presentation, I will explain my personal choices and approach, and I will introduce you to the myriad ways you can engage the public or societal organizations in research and teaching, and what types of jobs there are as intermediaries for this process. Public engagement has become an increasingly important element of academic work, as underscored by the “Recognition and Rewards’ program. And hey, the upcoming strategic plan of the University of Groningen is aptly called “Creating Impact Together”!

Workshop: Build your CV

Dr. Anita Wagner, RUG HR & Health – Afternoon parallel session 1

What is in a CV? Ideally it is you, and it is you shining the light on those credentials of yours that matter for the job. There are various types of CVs, various formats and ways of showing yourself to the labour market. Depending on the career path you chose, you will be required to present yourself in different ways. But a CV is not only a label for the outside world, it can also help you discover and name your transferable skills and talents. In this workshop we will have a look at how to adapt your CV to the demands of different vacancies and how various CV formats accentuate your strengths differently within and beyond Academia.

Anita E. Wagner is a Learning and Development Specialist within HR & Health at the University of Groningen.

Workshop: Thriving in Culturally Diverse Collectives

Sabina Rosenbergová – Afternoon parallel session 1 & 2

Sabina Rosenbergova is an assistant professor of Cultural Heritage.

As PhD candidates, you work in environments where cultural diversity is part of everyday life, whether in your research groups, classrooms, conferences, or social circles. This diversity can be a beautiful source of creativity and learning, but it may also bring misunderstandings, mismatched expectations, and moments of friction.

In this workshop, we’ll explore how your PhD journey, regardless of discipline, can help you develop the mindset and tools to thrive in culturally diverse collectives. I’ll share personal reflections on what I’ve learned from working in intercultural settings: what challenged me, what surprised me, and what helped me build clarity and connection when things felt difficult.

This won’t be a top-down session, but a peer-to-peer space where we reflect together on our experiences, listen, and share practical strategies. I don’t have all the answers, and I’m curious to see where our conversation takes us."

Workshop: Self-awareness through play - a pause to recalibrate

Dr. Ana Ferreira, Travel into you – Afternoon parallel session 1

This workshop is a personal development experience, focused on increasing self-awareness through play and reflection, using a mix of creative games and classical coaching exercises. It aims to function as a break from the busy intellectual-related tasks of the day. A time and space to connect with yourself and others, in a reflective and fun way, and be open to new insights about your career, personal goals or any other area of your life that you would like to dedicate this time to.

My name is Ana Ferreira, I am originally from Portugal and currently live in Groningen, where I did my PhD many years ago. I spent​ 15 years working in scientific research in different countries. My background is in Biology and Medical Sciences.
After becoming a mother, my interest for personal development started to grow stronger and a new journey started for me. I followed a Coaching certification and a few other related studies in order to bring my new interests into a professional offer. I created Travel Into You with the purpose of supporting other scientists navigating their unique life paths, through
personal development workshops, tools and coaching sessions.
I also work as a freelance scientific consultant and keep my most important occupation: being a mother of 4 children.​​

Workshop: Seeing the System – Map Your Career Landscape with Systems Thinking

Ana Sauri Peris & Eszter Ashlock-Kéthelyi – Afternoon parallel session 1

Feeling uncertain about your next move after your PhD? You are not alone. Many researchers wait until their contracts end before exploring career options. This session invites you to take the lead - using systems thinking to actively shape your career path. In healthcare research and career planning, everything is interconnected. Systems thinking helps you see the bigger picture, uncover hidden opportunities, and make smarter decisions. This session is designed for you to do the work. Facilitators will open the space, but you will lead the exploration - together with fellow PhDs looking to shape their future.

Eszter Ashlock-Kéthelyi: Throughout my career, I have gravitated toward roles that bridge EU/national policy, professional perspectives, and lay audiences. I enjoy creating clarity out of complexity, building connections, and deliver training workshops on funding-related subjects. Before joining UMCG Research BV, I spent over 10 years at an EU granting agency, guiding organisations in designing EU grant proposals and supporting awarded projects.

Ana Sauri Peris: During my career, I have gained a solid background in project management in the pharmaceutical industry and clinical research business. I joined the team of the UMCG Research BV as project manager to contribute to innovation and research excellence providing high quality project cycle management and sustainable knowledge organization. I received my PhD in Biology by the University of Valencia (Spain) and over a decade of work experience in contract research organizations.

Workshop: From PhD to Startup Founder: The Path to Early-Stage Investments

Future Tech Ventures – Afternoon parallel session 1

Future Tech Ventures (FTV) is hosting a workshop for PhD candidates on how early-stage investors assess innovation projects and academic spin-offs. The session offers insight into the perspective of pre-seed and seed investors: what makes research outcomes investable, which questions are asked at an early stage, and how scientific excellence differs from entrepreneurial readiness.
The workshop will cover how investors evaluate problem definition, market potential, team composition, intellectual property, and risk in very early-stage ventures. It will also address common challenges in academic spin-offs, such as timing, focus, expectations around funding, and the transition from research to execution.
The goal of the workshop is not to turn PhD candidates into entrepreneurs, but to help them better understand how capital interacts with innovation. This understanding enables more informed decisions around valorisation, collaboration, and potential next steps beyond academic research.

Afternoon parallel session 2

Panel discussion: RUG Alumni and their careers outside academia

Dr. Martijn Nolte, Dr. Dima Bederak, Dr. Emma Meijer & Dr. Warner Hoornenborg – Afternoon parallel session 2

Several RUG alumni will discuss about their career choices:

- Dr. Martijn Nolte is currently senior program manager at ZonMW.
- Dr. Dima Bederak is Product Manager at QDI Systems
- Dr. Emma Meijer is Director Clinical Operations at ICON in Groningen
- Dr. Warner Hoornenborg is currently Scientist Non-Clinical Development at uniQure in Groningen.

Entrepreneurship 101 – Doctor of ideas: How PhDs Build Ventures that matter

Innokite – Afternoon parallel session 2

Are you curious? Do you want to go on an exploration? In this workshop you will learn what it means to have an entrepreneurial mindset, and perhaps even take your research to society through the building of your own company. What does it mean to be an entrepreneur, what should you pay attention to? And how can we help you, to achieve your dreams of bringing your research to the world!

Workshop: The architecture of a strong grant proposal: narrative, logic & impact

Dr. Marlies Kluck – Morning & afternoon parallel session 2

What makes a proposal stand out? A compelling story, a clear structure, reader-oriented use of language – and knowing what not to do. In this session, you'll learn how to craft a strong research narrative, design your project, connect your CV and avoid common early-career pitfalls in grant writing. We'll take a practical, hands-on approach to equip you with a foundational toolkit for future grant writing.

Workshop: Unlock your future – Career opportunities after your PhD

Audrey Peters, Academic Transfer – Afternoon parallel session 1 & 2

Did you ever consider life beyond your PhD or postdoc in terms of career perspective? If not, do you know that about 70% of all PhD’s and 80% of all postdocs explore career possibilities outside of academia? But where do you start your search? And even if you find organisations or sectors that offer research positions, how can you tell if you fit in or meet the criteria? And if you do meet the criteria, how do you get in touch with these organisations or sectors? To answer these questions AcademicTransfer developed different tools for young researchers who want or need to explore their next career step. During this workshop we will show you how AcademicTransfer’s toolbox can support you on your career journey in research in the Netherlands.

At AcademicTransfer Audrey Peters is manager operations and product innovations, and project leader of ‘Making the Labour Market Transparent for Young Researchers’, In the past she held several management positions at the University of Amsterdam and was a coach and trainer for academic staff.

Deeptech Pioneer Fellowship (FSE)

Prof. Dr. Matthias Heinmann, FSE – Afternoon parallel session 2

Workshop: Make It in the North as an International PhD

Monica Scholte & Minke de Vries, Make it in the North – Morning parallel session 1 & afternoon parallel session 2

Join this session to learn about international-friendly companies and job opportunities in the Northern Netherlands, specifically aimed at PhDs who are considering a career outside of academia.

Expect insider tips & tricks on how to write your CV and cover letter for the Northern Dutch labor market, how to send open applications and how to build your professional AND social network in the North.

We'll also tackle what kind of visa options there are (including orientation year and startup visa).

Workshop: Thriving in Culturally Diverse Collectives

Dr. Sabina Rosenbergová – Afternoon parallel session 1 & 2

Sabina Rosenbergova is an assistant professor of Cultural Heritage.

As PhD candidates, you work in environments where cultural diversity is part of everyday life, whether in your research groups, classrooms, conferences, or social circles. This diversity can be a beautiful source of creativity and learning, but it may also bring misunderstandings, mismatched expectations, and moments of friction.

In this workshop, we’ll explore how your PhD journey, regardless of discipline, can help you develop the mindset and tools to thrive in culturally diverse collectives. I’ll share personal reflections on what I’ve learned from working in intercultural settings: what challenged me, what surprised me, and what helped me build clarity and connection when things felt difficult.

This won’t be a top-down session, but a peer-to-peer space where we reflect together on our experiences, listen, and share practical strategies. I don’t have all the answers, and I’m curious to see where our conversation takes us."

Workshop: What you need to thrive – Relax

Karen Huizing – Afternoon parallel session 2

More and more researchers find that we need to relax more. In this hectic world we are always online, on our phone, working at all hours. In order to thrive we need to work hard and rest harder. Take the evenings off, take the weekends off. Do you even know how to do nothing? I will show you what stress does to your body and brain and how more relaxing time can help you remain balanced, energetic and motivated. Also you will get some tips and advice on how to do this in your day to day life.

Lecture: Teaching and supervision support at the RUG

Dr. Mahshid Alvandi & Dr. Fabiola Figueroa – Morning & Afternoon parallel session 2

Key insights to be shared: In our PhD Day session, we will highlight the key teaching and supervision support available to PhD candidates at the University of Groningen. We will introduce the three core training programmes, Introduction to Teaching, Start to Teach, and Start to Supervise, and explain how each course supports PhD students at different stages of their teaching and supervisory responsibilities. The focus will be on developing practical skills such as lesson planning, active learning, classroom management, effective feedback, and structured supervision.

Mahshid Alvandi is an educational advisor and trainer in the Department of Educational Support and Innovation (ESI) at the University of Groningen. With 21 years of experience in teaching and teacher training programs across Iran, Slovenia, and the Netherlands, she now focuses on educating teaching staff, including PhD students involved in teaching and supervisory roles.

Dr. Fabiola Figueroa is an educational advisor and trainer at the Department of Educational Support and Innovation (ESI) at the University of Groningen. She obtained her PhD in Educational Sciences at this university and later worked at Utrecht University, teaching several courses and supervising students. Currently, she is involved in teacher professionalization and particularly enjoys training PhD students who are engaged in teaching and supervising.

Workshop: Practical tips for transitioning into industry

Dr. Ana Sauri Peris – Afternoon parallel session 2

Ana Sauri is a Project Manager at Research BV, University Medical Centre Groningen, with a degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Valencia. She is a creative problem-solver with strong communication skills and extensive international experience in Spain, the Netherlands, and the USA. Ana excels in team settings and is dedicated to continuous improvement and collaboration.

What will I learn in this workshop? The workshop offers valuable insights for those moving from academia to the corporate world. Led by experienced scientist and consultant Ana Sauri Peris, the session covers key do's and don'ts, providing practical advice to help navigate this career shift successfully.