Development phase of your postdoc trajectory

Checklist part 2

1. Search via the website, RPI, PDP information, and via colleagues for relevant courses and workshops on professional and personal development and participate
2. Discuss your PDP on a regular basis with your supervisor and bring it to your annual appraisal (‘jaargesprek’)
3. Consider applying for career development workshop “The next step in my career” one year before your contract ends

Go directly to the other checklists:

• Checklist part 1 from phase 'Start'
• Checklist part 3 from phase 'End of contract'

Core competencies for PhD candidates and postdocs

Radboudumc has defined a set of core competencies for PhD and postdoc candidates as a guideline for professional career development.

• About

  During their training, PhD candidates and postdocs are expected to become independent researchers skilled in (financial) project management, policy/decision making and management. These types of transferable skills stand candidates in good stead not just for an academic career but also for the professional job market beyond the university setting. 

  Self-assessment tool

  Collectively the Dutch university medical centers designed a competence model as a self-assessment tool to help you further develop yourself, and to recognize acquired competencies. See the PhD competence model.

  Types of core competencies

  An overview including description of each competence can be found below. For each type of competence we offer a number of courses if you feel that you can use some extra training to enhance these skills.

  

• Competence: Communication

  Demonstrate interpersonal, written, verbal, listening and non-verbal communication skills to be able to effectively and appropriately communicate facts, ideas or opinions to others.

• Competence: Leadership and management

  Equipped to manage and develop project ideas as well as facilitate effective team work including problem solving skills. Also able to mentor others (e.g. students).

• Competence: Personal effectiveness

  Adapt personal qualities and behaviors to achieve improved results.

• Competence: Professional development

  Improve professional skills to further career prospects.

• Competence: Research skills and knowledge

  Formulate clear research questions and hypotheses, design solid research protocols as well as demonstrate in-depth knowledge of ones field.

• Competence: Responsible conduct of science

  Demonstrate the ability to make sound ethical and legal choices based on knowledge of accepted professional research practices, relevant policies and guidelines.

• Competence: Teaching

  Define the learning outcomes for the target group as well as adequately and suitably convey the material in a motivational manner.

• Additional: Radboudumc-specific courses and events

  Like attending introduction days.