The doctorate is not an end in itself; it is part of a professional perspective in the longer term. Planning the post-thesis is therefore an integral part of the thesis itself.

This takes preparation, and the transversal doctoral training programmes are there to accompany the doctoral student in this reflection. Becoming the actor of one's doctoral project, but also of one's professional future is done over time. The possibilities are many, whether it is pursuing a career as a researcher or otherwise. In the long term, doctors very often practice their profession outside the university sector, in various positions of high responsibility.

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What do I do after my thesis?

Whether it's continuing in academia or in the private sector, finding a job after a thesis raises new questions and challenges that not all new doctors are prepared for.

The website doctorat.be offers a reference portal for information and the valorisation of doctoral training.

Financing my post-thesis

What future for PhD-holders? The research profession is fascinating, and many wish to continue and offer their expertise and passion. How does one take things further? Where? With what status? Opportunities for stabilisation are very few and quite competitive. But they exist...

In universities

For an academic or scientific career within a university, a long-term post-doctoral stay is essential. It allows you to open yourself up to the world of research abroad, to learn other practices while there, and to broaden your vision. ULiège helps researchers in this approach through subsidies for international mobility that it grants for this purpose, or through the contacts of the Mobility Centre.

A few possibilities:

  • a position as research fellow or qualified researcher at the FNRS, for doctors with a very high level scientific profile;
  • a post-doctoral position, awarded by the FNRS, the University from its own funds or from European projects - if the researcher is a foreigner in a framework of international mobility;
  • a researcher position, at the beginning of their career or experience, on a research contract led by a research team or a permanent research mandate at the University;
  • an academic course load;
  • a post doctoral fellowship abroad (obtained via the scientific networks built during the thesis).

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Un monde de docteurs

Toujours prêts à échanger et à découvrir de nouveaux horizons, les doctorants de l’Université de Liège représentent 76 nationalités différentes. Une ouverture sur le monde favorisée par leur formation.

Opportunities outside of the university

The professional experience acquired through doctoral research can be valorised in several ways and lead to a wide range of employment opportunities. Thus, it's all about making a choice and asking oneself the right questions. Businesses, especially technological, are now demanding the skills of young researchers and offer interesting opportunities. The doctorate allows you to acquire highly sought-after skills: autonomy, diligence, attitude toward stress, toward challenges, scientific expression, in-depth technical competence, project management skills, etc. It's about putting them forward.

For personalised assistance in finding a job after your PhD, don't hesitate to contact:

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Quoi de neuf, docteur?

Il est particulièrement important de savoir quoi retenir de sa formation, et comment mettre en pratique ces acquis dans le monde de l'entreprise.

Quatre docteurs témoignent de ce qu'il reste du doctorat, après le doctorat.

To learn more...

Access to the site Doctorat.be

  • The CAREER survey: this French survey showed that there exists a pool of skills specific to doctors.  These skills, taken in isolation, are not specific to doctors; but it is finding all these skills together in doctors which is specific.
Contact - Doctoral Affairs
RISE (Recherche, Innovation, Support and Entreprises)

 Virginie CHRISTOPHE ; Evelyne FAVART

doctorat@uliege.be

See the team
updated on 6/14/23