Educational / Training module

All researchers and PhD candidates at Tilburg University are expected to conduct research according to the regulations, which are included in the training Research Integrity.

There are two types of training: an online training (all PhD candidates who enrolled at the Graduate School as from September 1, 2020 must complete the training within the first year); and a face-to-face training (all PhD candidates who started as from September 2021 must complete the training within their second year). For the other PhD candidates both trainings are highly recommended but not compulsory.

The online training provides insights into responsible and questionable research practices, applicable regulations, and provides information on relevant Tilburg University policies.

The face-to-face training will give PhD researchers the opportunity to discuss with fellow PhD researchers the norms of good science and the virtues of a good scientist, as well as how to navigate grey areas of research and integrity dilemmas. The Graduate School will inform the PhD candidates about the date of the course.

If you have followed the online training, please register the result in Hora Finita (under the heading 'Research Phase' and then 'required courses') or e-mail a screenshot of the result to the Graduate School.

Onboarding Session

The onboarding session is an information session that is organized for new PhD candidates. It takes place twice a year and it is a great opportunity to obtain all the practical information you will need during your PhD trajectory, meet the people who will facilitate your time as a PhD candidate and, last but not least, meet your fellow PhD candidates.

Media Training

Twice a year, the Graduate School organizes the workshop Your research in the media, aimed at PhD candidates who have little or no experience with the press. The workshop covers, among other things, how to get media attention for your research, why to write a press release, and what to do when you are approached by journalists. The Graduate School will invite PhD candidates to the training.

In terms of professional development, there is a wide range of courses and workshops offered about topics such as time management, communication styles, giving feedback, and academic writing in English. See the full training offer.

In the area of personal development, you can find training courses that focus on making use of personal talents and on finding a good work-life balance.

Regarding career development, it is important to keep in mind that as a PhD candidate, you do not have a permanent employment contract. Therefore, it makes sense to start thinking about your next career move before the last year of your doctorate program, whether you want to work in academia or elsewhere. Tilburg University offers two workshops, Career management for PhD candidates and Exploring and Networking: taking steps towards the labour market. Read more information about career development.

PhD candidates who also work as lecturer can follow two training sessions to help with their first courses. Teaching Skills deals with questions such as how to design a lecture both fun and useful for students, which working methods to use, and how to formulate learning goals in a course. Supervision Skills focuses on the basic knowledge and skills in the area of student supervision, such as how to prepare supervision and how to promote interaction with students. Read more information.

PhD candidates have the possibility to follow MA and ReMA courses from Tilburg University. Please see if you fit the requirements to participate. If you want to attend the course without obtaining the credits, we recommend contacting the lecturer and discuss the possibility of attending the course. Find out which courses can be attended.

All internal PhD candidates have the possibility to register at a National Research School. As soon as you, together with your daily supervisor, have decided which school to sign in, please contact the Graduate School for Humanities and Digital Sciences. The Graduate School has an agreement with the following National Research Schools. For more information, please click on the different schools:

• Huizinga Institute ‒ Netherlands Institute for Cultural History
• LOT ‒ Netherlands Graduate School of Linguistics
• NICA ‒ Netherlands Institute for Cultural Analysis
• NISIS ‒ Netherlands Interuniversity School for Islamic Studies
• NOG ‒ Netherlands Research School of Gender Studies
• NOSTER ‒ Netherlands School for Advanced Studies in Theology and Religion
• OSL ‒ Netherlands Research School for Literary Studies
• OZSW ‒ Dutch Research School of Philosophy
• RMeS ‒ Reschearch School for Media Studies
• SIKS ‒ Netherlands Research School for Information and Knowledge Systems

The Research Data Office organizes frequent introductory workshops to help PhD candidates understand the basics of data management. The training focuses on what data management means for research in practice, how to implement it in research projects, and which services are available to support you. Read more information and see the dates.

The PhD Valorisation Program is set up for motivated PhD candidates who want to translate their research into impactful solutions for society. THRIVE Institute in collaboration with the Tilburg University Impact Team offers you a 5-month course (with six sessions per three weeks) in which you will learn step-by-step how to apply your PhD research in practice, to create maximum societal value.