Job Shadowing for PhDs and postdocs

The interuniversity PhD Talent Coordination Team is happy to organise another edition of job shadowing, which is a great opportunity to get a unique onsite experience of a specific job. You'll be a 'shadowee' for one or two days and you will get the opportunity to “test drive” a career by following a professional in their role.

What do we mean by job shadowing? 

Job Shadowing is a structured career exploration activity which gives PhD candidates (≥ 3rd year of their PhD trajectory) and postdocs of the 5 Flemish universities the opportunity to learn about a job function by walking through a work day as a ‘shadow’ to a professional. During 1 or 2 days PhD candidates/postdocs witness first-hand a company culture, job responsibilities, skills and competences in practice.

Job shadowing involves – amongst others:

• observing, and networking with, experienced professionals;
• conducting informal interviews to obtain information about a job functions and career advice;
• sitting in on staff meetings and/or staff trainings;
• taking a tour of the company premises.

The selected PhD candidates and postdocs are expected to attend an compulsory online preparatory training (1 October, 9.30–11 AM), and will also be asked for a mandatory written debrief. The actual job shadowing will take place between 19–30 October 2026.

Read all info on the following webpage carefully:  https://vlir.be/events/job-shadowing-2026/ 

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:
  • stakeholder awareness
  • networking
• personal effectiveness:
  • self-development
  • self-confidence
  • initiative
• intellectual competences:
  
  • learning ability
  • vision
    
    

For whom?

• For early career researchers ( ≥ 3rd year of PhD trajectory) & postdoctoral researchers affiliated with 1 of the Flemish universities

When and where?

• online preparatory training: 1 October, 9.30–11 AM
• onsite job shadowing during 1 or 2 days between 19–30 October 2026
• mandatory written debrief (details will be communicated later on)

Registration?

• Registration is closed. Please send an email to phdtalent@vlir.be in case you still want to participate.
• Apply through the PhD Talent Pool. Click the "Job Shadowing Positions 2026"-button to explore all available Job Shadowing opportunities. Each listing includes additional information and a registration link to submit your application.
• For all details, ins and outs, eligibility and requirements, please consult the VLIR website, where you can also find a registration link.
• Although an extensive and varied offer of Job Shadowing positions is provided, there is no guarantee of placement.
• It is possible to apply for max 2 positions. Applications are accepted over the summer.

Acknowledged as?

• DS BSH: career management & personal development: session aimed at career management
• DS ST: career & Personal Development: course/session about career or personal development
• DS HLS: compulsory elective transferable skills courses - one transferable skills course

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