TO PHD OR NOT TO PHD? INTRODUCTION Carmen Daems 4rd year PhD - PDF document

27/11/2018 TO PHD OR NOT TO PHD? INTRODUCTION Carmen Daems 4rd year PhD student Laboratory of Behavioral and Developmental Genetics Prof. Dr. Patrick Callaerts The role of A20 and the NF-kB pathway in the development of neuroinflammation in neuropsychiatric lupus

27/11/2018 A PH-WHAT? Project: – Literature review – Collecting results + analysis – Publications/thesis Doctoral school: Year 1: Provisional doctoral plan & Evaluation Year 2: Research seminar Year 3: Final doctoral plan Year 4: Public defense SCHEDULE Molecular Behavior Analysis • Main project: mechanisms • Side projects: Fly aggression Sey mouse project A20 project in flies

27/11/2018 Good reasons Things to consider Contribute to society Work-life balance Discover & learn new things Future perspectives Independence Competition International environment No one understands what you are doing Variation Travel THE ROAD TO A PHD Search Apply Interview Passion 1. Passion - What are you interested in? - What kind of research would you like to perform? - Use of animal models? - Going abroad?

27/11/2018 Search Apply Interview Passion 2. Search for labs - Vacancies - Jobsite KU Leuven - PhD - Proactive - KU Leuven organisational chart: ‘who’s who’ - Internships (summer internship, master thesis) - Check: publications, lab size, collaborations, research Search Apply Interview Passion 3. Apply for a position - Curriculum vitae - Cover letter - Recommendation letter

27/11/2018 Search Apply Interview Passion 4. Interview: ‘ Are you a good fit for the lab & is the lab a good fit for you?’ - Be prepared: latest publications,… I’M HARD- - Discuss different research projects WORKING, EAGER TO LEARN AND - Ask questions HIGHLY MOTIVATED - Grant application? - Talk to postdocs and PhDs in the lab BECAUSE IF I DON’T GET A JOB SOON I’LL HAVE TO MOVE BACK HOME WITH MY PARENTS QUESTIONS? carmen.daems@kuleuven.be