Most of the PhD graduates (about 70 percent) find a job outside of academia. The majority of them successfully embark on a career in education, administration, heritage, journalism, or business. Other PhD graduates find employment in an academic or semi-academic environment. A considerable number of them manage to gain a  - in some instances temporary - postdoctoral position.PhD candidates are encouraged to start thinking about their future career well before the defence of their thesis, preferably in the third year of their PhD programme.

PhD candidates are encouraged to start thinking about their future career well before the defence of their thesis, preferably in the third year of their PhD programme. The post-PhD phase is discussed during the many formal and informal meetings PhD candidates have with their supervisor. Furthermore, career coaches at the University Career Service can also help you orient yourself towards the job market.

Postdoctoral research

It is essential for researchers to be able to obtain independent research funding in order to advance in their career. Leiden University offers PhD candidates and postdocs a training course in writing an research grant proposals for PhDs and postdocs. This course will provide you with both the tools and the opportunity to practise writing or improving your own research proposal for an individual grant.