Job shadowing 2025

The two previous editions of Job Shadowing were a success. So The interuniversity PhD Talent Coordination Team is happy to organise yet another run for the purposes of career orientation on the part of the early career researchers and employer branding on the part of the employers!

What do we mean by job shadowing? 

Job Shadowing is a structured career exploration activity which gives PhD candidates (≥ 3rd year of their PhD trajectory) and postdocs of the 5 Flemish universities the opportunity to learn about a job function by walking through a work day as a ‘shadow’ to a professional. During 1 or 2 days PhD candidates/postdocs witness first-hand a company culture, job responsibilities, skills and competences in practice.

Job shadowing involves – amongst others:

• observing, and networking with, experienced professionals;
• conducting informal interviews to obtain information about a job functions and career advice;
• sitting in on staff meetings and/or staff trainings;
• taking a tour of the company premises.

The selected PhD candidates and postdocs are expected to attend an compulsory online preparatory training (2 October, 9 AM – 11 AM), and will also be asked for a mandatory written debrief. The actual job shadowing will take place between 6 and 17 October 2025.

Read all info on the following webpage carefully: https://vlir.be/events/job-shadowing-2025/ 

Competences

An important part of preparing for any further professional step is becoming (more) aware of the competences you have developed and/or want to develop. In the current workshop, the following competences from the UHasselt competency overview are actively dealt with:

• interpersonal competences:
  • stakeholder awareness
  • networking
• personal effectiveness:
  • self-development
  • self-confidence
  • initiative
• intellectual competences:
  
  • learning ability
  • vision
    
    

For whom?

• For early career researchers ( ≥ 3rd year of PhD trajectory) & postdoctoral researchers affiliated with 1 of the Flemish universities

When and where?

• online preparatory training: 2 October, 9 AM – 11 AM
• onsite job shadowing during 1 or 2 days between 6 and 17 October
• mandatory written debrief (details will be communicated later on)

Registration?

• Registration possible from 1 July 2025 until 5 September 2025 (11 PM).
• For all details, ins and outs, eligibility and requirements, please consult the VLIR website, where you can also find a registration link.
• More than 100 Job Shadowing opportunities (with consultancy firms, pharmaceutical companies, NGO’s, educational institutions …) are offered and advertised on the PhD Talent Pool Flanders. Create or update your account, click the Job Shadowing-button (to your right) or go to the Events-tab (do not forget to toggle Flemish universities and partner events). There, you will find an overview of all Job Shadowing positions.
• It is possible to apply for 2 positions. Applications are accepted over the summer – deadline: 5 September 2025 (11 PM)

Acknowledged as?

• DS BSH: career management & personal development: session aimed at career management
• DS ST: career & Personal Development: course/session about career or personal development
• DS HLS: compulsory elective transferable skills courses - one transferable skills course

What others said