Mentoring trajectory
“Mentoring is an interpersonal activity to support and encourage people to manage their own learning, in order that they maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be.” (Oxford School of Coaching & Mentoring)
The mentoring programme at UHasselt is aimed at supporting (post)doctoral researchers in their further career development. It implies a one-on-one interaction between an experienced mentor and a less experienced mentee.
There are two possible tracks in the mentoring programme:
- academic mentoring: mentoring towards an academic career, by a UHasselt professor (from a different faculty),
- civic mentoring: mentoring towards successfully entering the external labour market, by someone from a non-academic organization (small/large company, government, hospital, social sector, ...).
The academic track is only open to postdocs. The civic track is open to both postdocs and PhD students in the second half of their PhD trajectory. Both tracks are designed to broaden horizons, allowing (post)doctoral researchers to identify and refine their career interests. The mentor-mentee relationship is non-hierarchical, supportive and mentee-driven. The main topics of discussion are determined by the mentees and they are encouraged to think carefully about personal ambitions and professional goals.
The duration of the mentoring trajectory is typically one year and past editions have shown that this experience is very valuable for both mentors and mentees.
Information trajectory 2027:
Who can apply?
- Postdocs
- In order to be eligible, you need to be appointed as a postdoc at UHasselt for at least 50%, for at least one more year (i.e., at least until the end of 2027, preferably until February 2028).
- PhD students
- Only for the civic track
- In order to be eligible, you need to be in the second half of your PhD trajectory and you need to be appointed for at least one more year (i.e., at least until the end of 2026, preferably until February 2027).
- You will need to participate in a obligatory workshop on January 21, 2027 that will prepare you for the mentoring trajectory.
How to apply?
- Send a motivation statement, explaining your reasons for wanting a mentor, to careercenter@uhasselt.be. Indicate the track you would like to participate in (academic/civic). Please also include your faculty and the year in which you obtained (or plan to obtain) your PhD.
- Application deadline: November 25, 2026.
Selection procedure?
- There are 10 places available in each track.
- Selection of mentees and matching of mentees and mentors is done by a steering committee.
- A first selection will be done based on the written motivation. If needed, there will be selection interviews on November 27, 2026 (between 09:30 and 12:00). Please mark this date in your calendar already.
- You will be notified of the decision of the steering committee by on November 27 at the latest.
Timeline?
- Digital info session (optional): October 27, 2026 (all info can be found here)
- Application deadline: November 25, 2026
- Selection interviews (if needed): November 27, 2026
- Notification of decision: November 27, 2026
- Workshop mentees (obligatory): January 21, 2027 (13:00-17:00)
- Proposal mentor: mid-February 2027
- Information session mentors: February 2027
- First meeting / start trajectory: March 2027
- Networking opportunity with other mentees and mentors: September/October 2027
- Evaluation: February 2028