Infosessie - Prospective PHD Students - Compatibiliteitsmodus

PhD Research at
Ghent University
Information for prospective PhD students
Dr Nele Bracke
Doctoral Schools Coordination Unit
Content
UGent Policy re. Doctoral Research
Facts & Figures
Concepts & Key Actors
Admission & Requirements
Funding Opportunities
Further Issues
Nele Bracke December 2011
Facts & Figures
Further Issues
UGent Policy re. Doctoral Research (1)

National and international research policy:

PhD Degree holders as key actors in knowledge economy

Stimulate number of PhD Degrees
Ghent University: increase number of PhD Degree holders

without loss of quality of PhD research
How?
UGent Research Council (BOF) funds ca. 60 new positions every year
PhD completion bonus
Doctoral Schools: focus on top-quality training & research output
UGent Policy re. Doctoral Research (2)

New role + increasing number of PhD Degree holders
= implications:

Prepare PhD students not only for an academic career

Training through research instead of training for
research
Multiple support model instead of apprenticeship model
Facts & Figures
Further Issues
Facts & Figures (1)

2010-11: more than 35,000 students
10% international students
EU (60%), non-EU (40%)
mostly Asia (PR China, India,
Vietnam, Iran)
Sciences, Engineering, Bioscience
Engineering, Veterinary Medicine
ca. 3,000 PhD students
(29% international)
Facts & Figures (2)

423 doctoral degrees awarded in 2010
Proportion male /
female:
1980: 89% / 11%
2005: 62% / 38%
2006: 59% / 41%
Dominant areas:
Sciences
Engineering
Bioscience
Engineering
Medical Sciences
Facts & Figures (3)

PhD degrees/faculty (2008)
Political and Social Sciences

Pharmaceutical Sciences
Bioscience Engineering
Psychology and Educational
Veterinary Medicine
Economics and Business
Engineering
Medicine and Health Sciences
Sciences
Law
Arts and Philosophy
20
40
60
80
100
Facts & Figures (4)
Facts & Figures (5)

Private funding;
2,10%
No funding; 5,80%
BOF-scholarship;
16,80%
43% have
competitive
scholarships
Assistantship; 15,40%
FWO-scholarship;
13,60%
Project funding;
33,30%
IWT-scholarship;
8,60%
Other scholarship;
4,40%
Facts & Figures
Further Issues
Concepts & Key Actors (1)

Doctorandus/Doctoranda (doctoraatsstudent)
Doctoral student, doctoral candidate, PhD student, PhD

candidate
Someone currently pursuing a PhD (= doctorate degree), under

supervision of a supervisor (= promotor)
Doctor
Someone who has obtained the doctorate degree, the highest

possible academic degree which can be obtained at a Flemish
university

Doctoral Exam: 2 parts
Submission of a doctoral dissertation
Public oral defense
Doctorate Degree

Doctoral Exam: 2 parts
Submission of a doctoral dissertation
Public oral defense
Written evidence that the researcher in question has contributed
independently to the development and extension of scientific knowledge

Evidence that he/she has the capacity to create new scientific knowledge
on the basis of independent scientific research,
which can lead to academic publications

Independent left alone or lonely!
Promotor = Supervisor
Formal and informal coaching, supervision and guidance
Supervisor
Doctoral research at Ghent University (3)

Doctoral
Research
Advisory
Group
/
Independent, but not alone: formal and informal
Committee
Department
coaching, supervision and guidance
Doctoral
Doctoral
Training
In the past: supervision = supervisor
(+ postProgramme
doc)
Schools
Ombudspersons
Annual
Progress
Report
Doctoral Schools Coordination Unit - November 2011

Doctoraatsopleiding UGent = Doctoral Training Programme
Flexible study programme
Compulsory in some faculties, for some PhD
students, for some doctoral titles
Broaden and deepen knowledge and skills +
research activities
No extra registration fee for the training programme
Certificate Doctoral Training Programme Doctoral
Degree

New = flexible
Minimum set of
activities
Maximum set of
activities
Compulsory
programme
(prior to defence or
within x years)
specialist courses
+3
max. 3
30 ECTS
max. 30 ECTS
+3
max. 3
transferable skills
presentations /
posters
max. 3
publication
max. 1
yearly
yearly
progress report
defence
Doctoral Schools Coordination Unit - November 2011
certificate
optional
to be able to defend
Facts & Figures
Further Issues
10
Admission & Requirements (1)

Degree: 2nd-cycle degree, masters degree or formal equivalent
otherwise: predoctoral training programme
Acceptance of application by Faculty
Candidates C.V.
Suitable supervisor
PhD research plan

No deadline for application,
BUT: foreign Degree holders: 4-6 months
application procedure
3. Admission
Requirements
Admission
& and
Requirements
(2)
Ingredients needed to start research
(and to find motivation to continue)
Passion for scientific research
Realistic and challenging topic of dissertation
Supervisor who supports your application and your research

process
Funding
11
Admission & Requirements (3)

Registration
At the start of the PhD research = registration as PhD student,

regardless of funding: +/- 270,00
Annual re-registration: compulsory, but free of charge
Final registration for doctoral exam: +/- 270,00
Facts & Figures
Further Issues
12
Funding Opportunities (1)

1.
Assistantships > department/job

application
2.
Project funds (government, corporate

funding) > supervisor/job application
3.
Competitive doctoral scholarships >

research proposal
Duration of a PhD
3 to 6 years
(average 5
years)
funding: +/- 4
years
Regular (BOF, FWO, IWT)

Development cooperation (VLIR, BOF,
BTC)
Assistantship (Assisterend Academisch Personeel, AAP)

Minimum 50% scientific research; other 50%: teaching, lab

work,
Duration: 3 x 2 years
Employee at Ghent University
Job application
Requirements & deadlines: see vacancy notice
http://www.ugent.be/nl/actueel/vacatures (Belgian Monitor)

(+/- fixed number per department)
13
Project funds
Supervisor hires staff (funding is not personally allocated)
Not always PhD research obligation!
Duration: supervisors decision ~ duration of project
Employee at UGent (research staff) or PhD grant holder
Job application (not always)
Supervisor decides on requirements
http://www.ugent.be/nl/actueel/vacatures or departmental
noticeboards
Scholarships general information

Competitive selection based on research proposal, study

results & research context (research group/supervisor)
PhD candidate applies jointly with a supervisor
Calls announced online
Read the calls carefully: requirements ~ degree, research

topic, age, nationality etc.
Respect deadlines
http://www.ugent.be/en > research > funding

14
BOF-Doctoral Scholarships (50/year)

100% research
2 x 2 years
PhD grant holder UGent
Competitive selection ~ study results (first selection criteria!),
research proposal & research context
No restrictions ~ age, discipline, nationality
Annual deadline: announced online (next deadline: May 2012)
Information: bof@ugent.be
BOF-Doctoral Grants for candidates from developing

countries (10/year)

100% research
24 months within a span of 4 years (co-funding!)
Sandwich scholarship: 50% in UGent, 50% in university in
developing country
Competitive selection ~ study results, research proposal &
research context
Requirements ~ nationality and co-funding from university in
developing country
Annual deadline: announced online (next deadline: March
2012)
15
BOF-Cofunding CSC-grant (Chinese students)

Duration ~ Chinese grant

Requirements ~ Chinese nationality + CSC-grant holder
Competitive selection ~ study results, research proposal &
research context
Annual deadline: announced online (next deadline: November
2012)
Alternative: BOF-Grant for candidates from developing
countries
BOF-Funding for a joint doctorate with Ghent University

Joint doctorate = PhD research at more than one institution

(at least 6 months research in each institution) and supervisor
in each institution; contract between researcher, supervisors
and institutions
BOF-funding for the part of the PhD carried out at Ghent
University
Co-funding from the foreign partner university is required
Competitive selection
Annual deadline: announced online (next deadline:
September 2012)
16
FWO-Doctoral Scholarships (FWO aspirant) (200/year)

100% research
2 x 2 years
PhD grant holder Research Foundation Flanders (FWO)
Competitive selection ~ study results, research proposal, research
context (21% of applicants succeed, 2010)
Nationality: EU member state or European Economic Area +
Switzerland, or EU-university degree (+ degree Iceland, Norway,
Liechtenstein, Switzerland)
Max. 2 applications; max. 5 years after Ma Degree or not older than
30 years at start of grant
http://www.fwo.be > applications
Annual deadline: 1 February (start research 1 October)
Information: fwo@ugent.be
IWT-Doctoral Scholarships (IWT specialisatiebeurzen)

(200/year)

100% research
2 x 2 years
PhD grant holder IWT
Competitive selection ~ research proposal (relevance, feasibility,
valorisation on the long term) + oral presentation/examination +
study results (at least distinction/honours Ma Degree)
Research topic // mission of IWT
Nationality: EU member state + Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway,
Switzerland
Max. 5 years after Ma Degree
http://www.iwt.be > subsidies
Annual deadline: 15 September
17
ICP-PhD Scholarships (VLIR-UOS) (max 10/year)

100% research
2 x 2 years
Sandwich scholarship: 1/3 UGent, 2/3 local institution
Competitive selection ~ research proposal, study results & research
context
Capacity building in the South ~ issues of development
Nationality: on the VLIR-UDC country list + permanent residence in
developing country + Belgian Ma Degree (eligble degrees listed in
the call)
Max. 5 years after ICP Ma Degree
http://www.vliruos.be > calls > ICP PhD scholarships
Annual deadline: announced online (next deadline: 17 February
2012)
Other funding opportunities?

Yes, e.g. IWT-Baekeland scholarships

http://www.ugent.be/en > research > funding

Ask your supervisor, postdocs, PhD students
Finalizing grants
FWO-Clinical PhD Scholarships
FWO-Special PhD Scholarships
BOF finalizing grants
18
Facts & Figures
Further Issues
Further Issues (1)

Youve been listening very carefully
Thank you! You are a wonderful audience.

But what are the next stepts YOU have to take?
19
Further Issues (2)

Make sure you really-really-really want to do a

PhD
Talk to other researchers (PhD researchers,

postdoc researchers, professors)
Read some scientific articles, spend some time in

the lab/library
Further Issues (3)

Start now
20
Further Issues (4)

Research topic
Decide which area of

research you feel really
dedicated to, or which
topic/problem/question
you want to pursue in
greater details
Supervisor
Funding
Further Issues (5)

Research topic
Find a supervisor
who wants to coach
your research and
support your
application
Supervisor
Funding
21
Further Issues (6)

Research topic
Find funding
Supervisor
Funding
Further Issues (7)

Research topic
AND if you dont have a Belgian Degree:

application procedure
Supervisor
Funding
22
Further Issues (8)

If you decide to write a project proposal
Well-structured: problem outline, objectives, methodology, work

plan, references
Accessible to non-specialists
Research team & supervisor must suit the project
Ambitious but realistic
Use tables and figures
Respect the deadline
Make sure your application documents are complete

Further Issues (8)

Dont give up!
Inquire about alternatives: funding, research topics,

supervisors/departments/faculties
Contact the Research Coordination Office for

further information
23
Research Coordination Office

St-Pietersnieuwstraat 25, Ghent
aoc@ugent.be
http://www.ugent.be/nl/onderzoek
http://www.ugent.be/en/research
http://www.ugent.be/doctoralschools
24

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PhD Research at

UGent Policy re. Doctoral Research

Facts & Figures

Concepts & Key Actors

Admission & Requirements

Nele Bracke December 2011

UGent Policy re. Doctoral Research

Facts & Figures

Concepts & Key Actors

Admission & Requirements

Nele Bracke December 2011

UGent Policy re. Doctoral Research (1)

PhD Degree holders as key actors in knowledge economy

Ghent University: increase number of PhD Degree holders

PhD completion bonus

Doctoral Schools: focus on top-quality training & research output

Nele Bracke December 2011

UGent Policy re. Doctoral Research (2)

Prepare PhD students not only for an academic career

Nele Bracke December 2011

UGent Policy re. Doctoral Research

Facts & Figures

Concepts & Key Actors

Admission & Requirements

Nele Bracke December 2011

Facts & Figures (1)

Nele Bracke December 2011

Facts & Figures (2)

Nele Bracke December 2011

Facts & Figures (3)

Political and Social Sciences

Facts & Figures (4)

Nele Bracke December 2011

Facts & Figures (5)

Nele Bracke December 2011

UGent Policy re. Doctoral Research

Facts & Figures

Concepts & Key Actors

Admission & Requirements

Nele Bracke December 2011

Concepts & Key Actors (1)

Doctoral student, doctoral candidate, PhD student, PhD

Someone currently pursuing a PhD (= doctorate degree), under

Someone who has obtained the doctorate degree, the highest

Concepts & Key Actors (2)

Nele Bracke December 2011

Concepts & Key Actors (3)

Public oral defense

Written evidence that the researcher in question has contributed

independently to the development and extension of scientific knowledge

Nele Bracke December 2011

Concepts & Key Actors (4)

Nele Bracke December 2011

Doctoral research at Ghent University (3)

coaching, supervision and guidance

Doctoral Schools Coordination Unit - November 2011

Concepts & Key Actors (5)

Concepts & Key Actors (6)

Doctoral Schools Coordination Unit - November 2011

UGent Policy re. Doctoral Research

Facts & Figures

Concepts & Key Actors

Admission & Requirements