MASTERING YOUR PhD
Empowering PhD students
About the course
This course is designed specifically for helping PhD students with their
development in transferable skills: skills that have proven to be influential
during an academic career.
Teacher
Christianne Vink is a teacher and coach specialized in
supporting the personal development of scientists. With a
background in psychology, she counsels within an
academic context. Christianne enjoys supporting PhD
students in their personal and professional development
and aims to create a course that is relevant, enjoyable and
meaningful to all participants.
Christianne has 15 years of experience in designing and
teaching courses. Her students describe her as warm,
open minded and respectful.
Guest teachers
Martijn Rep
Martijn is an associate professor in the
field of molecular plant pathology,
currently working at the Swammerdam
Institute for Life Sciences. After a
publication in Nature and a VICI-grant
several years ago, he has been able to
further his research by expanding his
own research group. Martijn will be
involved in the course on the topic of
‘networking’.
Peter Schoenmakers
Peter Schoenmakers is professor in analytical
chemistry, currently working in the HIMS Institute of
chemistry at FNWI. Peter is a world renowned
scientist in his field. He is also an experienced
supervisor of Phd students. Peter will be involved in
the course on the topic of ‘communication with your
supervisor’.
THE PROGRAMME: A SHORT OVERVIEW
Five Afternoons
Meeting I: how to master your PhD What are the factors that allow for a successful PhD trajectory? This afternoon is aimed at a common exploration of this topic and the opportunity to get acquainted with each other. We will also reBlect on what your personal PhD goals are and how you can connect with these during every stage of your project.
Meeting II: who am I as PhD student This meeting we will be exploring your hopes and wishes for your project and reBlect on the most important asset in your PhD project: yourself. What are things you are good at, what values do you Bind important in science? How can you integrate this knowledge in your daily life and enjoy the inBluence in your PhD project? We will also make a start with the topic of meeting III.
Meeting III: organization and planning skills This afternoon offers space to explore how you can effectively manage your time and work towards the goals you are setting out. What to plan and what not to plan? How to plan? And what to do when you get stuck? We will also look into ways of taking care of yourself and stress management. Meeting IV: effective communication with your supervisor This meeting centers around effective communication with your supervisor. Professor Peter Schoenmakers will be present to explore different ideas for communication, answers all questions and we will practice in role playing. Meeting V: networking in science A playful afternoon in which we will be practicing an elevator pitch and will talk about how you can lay the foundation for a future career during your time as a PhD student. This meeting also has a special guest: Karen Maex, the dean of the faculty, will visit. There will be ample opportunity to talk with her and ask any question. What students have said about the course
‘I have learned that the challenges I deal with are shared by most PhD
students’
‘Everyone has doubts, no need to panic, just voice them’
‘I learned what kind of expectations I have of my supervisor and myself, and
what I can do to make the relationship as beneficial as possible’
‘I feel more confident speaking in front of a group of people’
‘This is the first skills course I have ever enjoyed participating in: I enjoyed all
of the meetings, I got insights into what I am already good at and what to
improve and I met some really nice colleagues’
‘I learned to recognize when I am procrastinating and how to make efficient
use of my time’
‘I have learned that in the end, nothing can go wrong, there is an answer to
any situation’