Life Sciences PhD & Postdoc Career Week

Workshop Self-Analysis for Career Orientation
09:30 - 11:30 Hijmans van den Bergh Building 2.41

Are you unclear about what kind of job will suit you, what you are passionate about, or where your strengths lie? In this workshop, we will explore these questions to find out what is in your wheelhouse. By consciously and actively engaging with these themes, you will find out what it is you really want and what you find most important.
An experienced career coach will encourage you to look at different aspects of yourself and your life, and based on that information, explore your future. By mapping your interests, capabilities, motives and career values, you will determine what is (most) important to you. After that, you will be better able to consider the jobs, organizations and occupations that fit your preferences.
After this workshop, you will continue your job search with more self-knowledge and more self-confidence.

Trainer: Rutger-Jan Scholtens, career coach and soft skills trainer, Career Services, Utrecht University. Ever since his university teaching days, he has emphasised the importance of personal reflection and the development of soft skills for students and PhDs. As a trainer/coach, his mission is to inspire and activate young professionals by challenging them to explore their motivations, qualities and opportunities. 

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Workshop LinkedIn Advanced
09:30 - 11:30 Hijmans van den Bergh Building 2.78

Do you want to know how to make LinkedIn really work for you? In this workshop you will learn:

• how to build and maintain a good network
• how to find vacancies
• how to write a good summary
• how to use groups and company pages

To participate, you need to have a completed LinkedIn profile. Don’t have one yet? Sign up for the workshop LinkedIn Basics, or get started to work on your LinkedIn profile yourself first. It could also help to follow the workshop Exploring the Job Market & Networking. When the workshop takes place on site, please make sure to bring your (charged) laptop with you so you can get started right away.

Trainer: Kristella Hak (she/her) works as Career Officer at Utrecht University, which means that she gives coaching and training on everything related to career orientation and the job market. She started her studies at the faculty of Humanities and later worked in recruitment (hiring for various companies), education and career coaching. She now aims to bring the outside world into the UU and hopes to give students the skills and confidence they need to enter the job market.

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Alumni Talk & Lunch: this session is with alumni working in academia
12:00 - 13:30 Hijmans van den Bergh Building Tuinzaal

During this inspiring session, several PhD alumni working in academia will share their unique career journeys. From consultancy and non-profits to academia, each speaker offers valuable insights and lessons learned along the way. Don’t miss this chance to gain new perspectives and connect over lunch.

Julian Vosseberg completed his PhD in 2023 at the PhD programme Computational Life Sciences. Now he works as a postdoctoral researcher at Wageningen University & Research. He conducts research, supervises students, and teaches. He enjoyed the freedom and variety during his PhD, especially developing and teaching a new course. His current role is similar to his PhD, with more collaboration and less teaching, plus no thesis to write.

Ellen Deelen completed her PhD in 2024 at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, focusing on human-animal relationships. She now works as a Junior Assistant Professor in the same faculty, combining research, supervision, and teaching. Her PhD helped her grow intellectually and personally, and she values the continuity and new responsibilities in her current academic role.

Dario Cramer completed his PhD in 2024 on blood serum proteins using mass spectrometry, combining academic research with industry collaboration. Now a PostDoc in Leiden, he continues this work with greater responsibility and management. His PhD taught him project management, effective writing, and the value of confidence, skills he now builds on as he navigates new career decisions.

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Workshop Writing a CV & Cover Letter
14:00 - 16:00 Hijmans van den Bergh Building 2.41

Are you ready to look for an internship or new job? In this workshop you will learn what is standard practice for writing an effective cv and appropriate cover letter.
Using instruction video’s and detailed explanations of do’s and don’ts, we will show you the different components that make up cv’s and cover letters. We’ll also discuss how employers select from all the cv’s and letters they receive, and how you can use this knowledge to your advantage. During the workshop you will start working on your cv and cover letter and give each other feedback with the help of a checklist. There will be plenty of time for you to ask any questions you may have.
Once you have finished your cv and/or cover letter using all the knowledge you’ve gained during the workshop, you can get this checked by a career officer in an individual session.
This workshop is an excellent starting point for students who are new to writing cv’s and cover letters. 

Trainer: Marte Otter, career coach and trainer, Faculty of Medicine, Utrecht University, passionate about helping people grow and find their unique path through coaching and training in career and life development. She provides personal attention, listens to students' stories, and helps them discover who they are and what they want. Marte is known for being open, enthusiastic, and able to connect people.

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Workshop Exploring the Job Market & Networking
14:00 - 16:00 Hijmans van den Bergh Building 4.53

The job market offers innumerable possibilities. Do you know how to find organizations and jobs that suit your profile? Or how an employer searches for suitable candidates and what possibilities you have to increase job opportunities? In this workshop you will learn how to get a better understanding of organizations. Furthermore, you will also learn how to use and improve the network you belong to.
It makes sense to bear your preferences, qualities, and motivations in mind as you explore the job market. To do that, you need a clear picture of what criteria your future job has to meet. If you don't have that yet, it is recommended to follow the Self-analysis for Career Development workshop first. You could also look into some jobs that interest you and formulate criteria based on those.
In the Exploring the Job Market & Networking workshop you will learn how to explore the job market and search for vacancies by making use of your own network. Furthermore, we will look at the ways employers select employees and how to anticipate their needs as you look for a job. You will also learn how to present yourself in the best possible way to prospective employers by preparing a professional pitch.
When you complete this workshop, you will gain a better understanding of how to approach the job market and will be more aware of the potential of your own network. As a result, you will approach prospective employers with greater confidence.

Trainer: Rutger-Jan Scholtens, career coach and soft skills trainer, Career Services, Utrecht University. Ever since his university teaching days, he has emphasised the importance of personal reflection and the development of soft skills for students and PhDs. As a trainer/coach, his mission is to inspire and activate young professionals by challenging them to explore their motivations, qualities and opportunities. 

Workshop Preparing a Job Interview
09:30-11:30 Hijmans van den Bergh Building 3.78

Do you know what is important during job interviews? This workshop will help you understand the employer's perspective and how to play into their needs effectively. In this workshop we will focus on the interview that you need to do to get a job or internship.
For this workshop, it is important that you have a relatively clear idea of what kinds of organizations and jobs appeal to you. If you are not there yet, we recommend that you follow the workshop Exploring the Job Market & Networking first. Do you want to learn how to write your CV and cover letter? Please follow the workshop Writing a cv and cover letter.
For the Preparing a job interview workshop, you will analyze a vacancy of your choice in order to assess what an employer is looking for. You will examine how your motivation and experience align with the job. You will also practice your answers to some common job interview questions and will be coached on how to improve your presentation.
This practical workshop will help you build confidence for your next application for a job or internship. Afterwards, you can make an appointment with a career officer to practice one-to-one. 

Trainer: Berber Noordzij, career coach and trainer, Utrecht School of Governance. Before she became a career coach she gained ten years of experience in HR- and recruitment related roles, so she knows both student as employer perspective. Her mission is to empower students in making their (first) career choices. 

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Workshop Transferable Skills
09:30-11:30 Hijmans van den Bergh Building 4.52

Do you know what skills you’ve acquired during your life as a student? People tend not to think much about these things. Transferable skills are useful in all kinds of professional contexts and you carry them with you from one job to the next.
If you want to convince an employer that you’re the right person for a job or an internship, you need the ability to present your skills with clarity and conviction. This workshop will make you aware of the transferable skills you’ve developed in your studies, at your (temp) jobs and in your extracurricular activities.
Furthermore, you’ll analyse a job offering and try to assess, as accurately as you can, what the employer is looking for. You’ll learn to distinguish between specialist and generic (though job-specific) skills. You will then catalog your transferable skills and practice by providing examples that show what skills you possess.
Upon completing the workshop, you’ll know exactly what your skills are and you’ll be able to advertise them better.

Trainer: Rutger-Jan Scholtens, career coach and soft skills trainer, Career Services, Utrecht University. Ever since his university teaching days, he has emphasised the importance of personal reflection and the development of soft skills for students and PhDs. As a trainer/coach, his mission is to inspire and activate young professionals by challenging them to explore their motivations, qualities and opportunities. 

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Alumni Talks & Lunch: this session is with alumni working outside academia
12:00-13:30 UMC Utrecht Maliebaan Room

During this inspiring session, several PhD alumni working outside academia will share their unique career journeys. From consultancy and non-profits to academia, each speaker offers valuable insights and lessons learned along the way. Don’t miss this chance to gain new perspectives and connect over lunch.

Judith de Jong defended her PhD in 2024 at the UMC Utrecht, where she researched nutrition and gut health. She now works as a Lab Consultant at Visiar Healthcare, helping hospitals implement digital systems like EPDs and LIMS. While her current role is quite different from her PhD in content, the skills she gained, such as problem-solving, multitasking, and project leadership, are proving invaluable.

Elana van Rooden-Meijer (PhD 2024, Regenerative Medicine) is a Pharmaceutical Specialist at MSD. She ensures compliance with GMP in the packaging department and manages quality-related processes. During her PhD, she enjoyed exploring vascular regeneration, collaborating across teams, and presenting at conferences. Her current role builds on skills gained during her PhD, such as time management, teamwork, and multitasking.

Daan Peerlings completed his PhD in Medical Imaging at UMC Utrecht in 2024. He now works as a Data Scientist at the Postcode Lottery Group, where he develops marketing models to support charitable fundraising. While the content differs, his PhD prepared him well for data analysis and critical thinking. He enjoys applying his skills in a collaborative, production-focused environment with real-world impact.

Ishaan Bhat earned his PhD in Medical Imaging at UMC Utrecht in 2024. He now works as a Machine Learning Scientist at ENPICOM, where he develops ML models to support antibody drug discovery. While the application area has shifted, many of the skills from his PhD, such as problem-solving, reading literature, and prototyping solutions, remain central to his work. He enjoys collaborating across teams to bring practical innovations to real-world users.

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Workshop Exploring the Job Market & Networking
14:00-16:00 Hijmans van den Bergh Building 2.30

The job market offers innumerable possibilities. Do you know how to find organizations and jobs that suit your profile? Or how an employer searches for suitable candidates and what possibilities you have to increase job opportunities? In this workshop you will learn how to get a better understanding of organizations. Furthermore, you will also learn how to use and improve the network you belong to.
It makes sense to bear your preferences, qualities, and motivations in mind as you explore the job market. To do that, you need a clear picture of what criteria your future job has to meet. If you don't have that yet, it is recommended to follow the Self-analysis for Career Development workshop first. You could also look into some jobs that interest you and formulate criteria based on those.
In the Exploring the Job Market & Networking workshop you will learn how to explore the job market and search for vacancies by making use of your own network. Furthermore, we will look at the ways employers select employees and how to anticipate their needs as you look for a job. You will also learn how to present yourself in the best possible way to prospective employers by preparing a professional pitch.
When you complete this workshop, you will gain a better understanding of how to approach the job market and will be more aware of the potential of your own network. As a result, you will approach prospective employers with greater confidence.

Trainer: Boy Hennevelt, study advisor and trainer, Utrecht University. With a background in Psychology and Sociology, he understands the challenges students face. He offers coaching, career workshops, and one-on-one guidance on study planning, personal development, and job market orientation. His goal is to support and empower students in exploring their potential and making informed decisions about their future.

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Workshop Self Analysis for Career Orientation
14:00-16:00 Hijmans van den Bergh Building 2.41

Are you unclear about what kind of job will suit you, what you are passionate about, or where your strengths lie? In this workshop, we will explore these questions to find out what is in your wheelhouse. By consciously and actively engaging with these themes, you will find out what it is you really want and what you find most important.
An experienced career coach will encourage you to look at different aspects of yourself and your life, and based on that information, explore your future. By mapping your interests, capabilities, motives and career values, you will determine what is (most) important to you. After that, you will be better able to consider the jobs, organizations and occupations that fit your preferences.
After this workshop, you will continue your job search with more self-knowledge and more self-confidence.

Jacky Limvers has had a very long career in guiding students on career, study choice and, more recently, wellbeing. From her own experience as a job crafter she is interested in how people can turn their sincere interests and underlying motivation into work that both benefits the person as well as society. Personal development is one of Jacky’s great passions. She likes to provide students and PhD’s with tools so that they can discover their desired pathways in career and life.  In her workshop there will also be space for fun and interaction.

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Workshop Salary Negotiation
14:00-16:00 Hijmans van den Bergh Building Tuinzaal

Congratulations, you got your first job! Only thing left is the employment conditions interview. Are you so happy with your new job that you don't feel the need to negotiate your salary? Or maybe you feel uncomfortable being assertive as a starter towards your future employer? A pity, because there is room for negotiation in every employment conditions interview.
In this workshop, you will learn how to conduct an effective employment conditions interview. You will be introduced to the different subjects you can negotiate on and make a selection of the things that are important to you. You also learn to (better) assess your worth as a starter. This makes it easier to negotiate your salary. You will also practice an employment conditions interview. By expressing your wishes/demands out loud and backing them up with arguments, you will work on your self-confidence for future employment conditions interviews.

After attending this training course:

• You will know how to properly prepare for a salary negotiation
• You have insight into different employment conditions that are important to you
• You are (better) able to carefully, professionally and confidently communicate your own wishes to your future employer

Trainer: Rutger-Jan Scholtens, career coach and soft skills trainer, Career Services, Utrecht University. Ever since his university teaching days, he has emphasised the importance of personal reflection and the development of soft skills for students and PhDs. As a trainer/coach, his mission is to inspire and activate young professionals by challenging them to explore their motivations, qualities and opportunities.

BCF Career Event

10:00 - 16:00 Beatrix Building, Jaarbeurs Utrecht

BCF Career Event is the largest career event for the Life Sciences. It is the meeting place for everyone who is or wants to be active in Bio/Life Sciences, Chemistry, Food or Pharma. BCF Career Event offers you the opportunity to get into direct contact with a broad range of employers in the sector, but also with other organisations that can help you further in your career.

Discover (new) job opportunities and meet potential employers from the field. Learn from first-hand experiences about career pathways and gain insight into specific roles and organisations. Network with employers and make connections that could help unlock your dream career. A variety of talks and panel discussions will be held to provide you with the skill set and knowledge you need to succeed in your career. 

So, regardless of your age, education level, position, or work experience, join the BCF Career Event in Utrecht and see where your future could take you! Registration is free of charge.

The workshops are free of charge for all GSLS PhD-candidates & Postdocs. Once you have signed up, we expect you to attend. For every late cancellation or no-show we have to disappoint others who would have liked to attend. A request for cancellation will be accepted till 12:00 PM May 16, 2025 via pcc@uu.nl. After this date or if you don’t show up, we have to charge a no-show fee of € 50. We are unable to make any exceptions, unless you have a valid reason (i.e., illness or death in the family 1st/2nd degree or partner) and can show appropriate evidence of this via pcc@uu.nl.

Visual material
During the Life Sciences PhD & Postdoc Career Week, a photographer and/or videographer will be present. We will use the pictures and video on the website and promotion material. Please inform the photographer/organisers when you prefer not to be included in the pictures.