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

• Main project:
• Side projects:

Behavior Analysis Molecular mechanisms Fly aggression A20 project in flies Sey mouse project

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Contribute to society Discover & learn new things Independence International environment Variation Travel Work-life balance Future perspectives Competition No one understands what you are doing Things to consider Good reasons

THE ROAD TO A PHD

• 1. Passion
• What are you interested in?
• What kind of research would you like to perform?
• Use of animal models?
• Going abroad?

Passion Search Apply Interview

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• 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

Passion Search Apply Interview

• 3. Apply for a position
• Curriculum vitae
• Cover letter
• Recommendation letter

Passion Search Apply Interview

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• 4. Interview: ‘Are you a good fit for the lab & is the lab a good fit for you?’
• Be prepared: latest publications,…
• Discuss different research projects
• Ask questions
• Grant application?
• Talk to postdocs and PhDs in the lab

Passion Search Apply Interview

BECAUSE IF I DON’T GET A JOB SOON I’LL HAVE TO MOVE BACK HOME WITH MY PARENTS I’M HARD- WORKING, EAGER TO LEARN AND HIGHLY MOTIVATED

QUESTIONS?

carmen.daems@kuleuven.be