Mission

The PhD Talent Advisory Board brings together leading representatives from across all labour market sectors and staff of the five Flemish universities to improve the transition of PhD holders into careers beyond academia.

Operating as a focused expert body, the Board provides strategic advice on career development, talent acquisition and labour-market alignment for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. In doing so, it helps ensure that university initiatives are relevant, impactful and aligned with both employer needs and the Flemish policy framework for young researchers [Besluit van de Vlaamse Regering betreffende de omkadering van jonge onderzoekers].

What has been achieved so far

Since its formal establishment in 2024, the Advisory Board has evolved from a concept into a recognised, operational governance body endorsed by the VLIR bureau, including all rectors of the Flemish universities. The Board has, amongst others:

• created a sustainable way of working, combining in-depth expert advice with broader stakeholder engagement;
• introduced a shared language for PhD skills through a mapping exercise using the European ESCO framework, supported by board members such as KBC and Johnson & Johnson;
• provided concrete input on doctoral training, by identifying gaps in the existing curricula;
• launched and/or supported new initiatives such as Job Shadowing, a tailored pre-Job Shadowing training for PhD candidates and postdocs, career information sessions for international researchers, and PhD Careers: Recruiter Secrets (a series of interviews with recruiters);
• strengthened data-driven insight into PhD careers, including employment in universities of applied sciences;
• ensured that outputs and insights are shared at – amongst others – PhD job fairs and on the PhD Talent Pool Flanders.

These milestones have positioned the Advisory Board as a key interface between academia and the labour market for PhDs and postdocs.

Looking ahead: our ambitions

Building on this foundation, the PhD Talent Advisory Board aims to increase its strategic impact in the years ahead. In response to feedback from its members, the Board is committed to:

• focusing on key challenges in the PhD labour market, such as recruitment, employability, international talent, and collaboration with industry at large;
• shaping policy and practice, by ensuring that the Board’s advice meaningfully informs both university strategies and wider ecosystem discussions on doctoral careers;
• delivering visible impact, through concrete initiatives such as the PhD Talent Pool, job market activities for young researchers, international and European collaborations, and targeted in-company trainings;
• strengthening communication and follow-up, so that the outcomes of discussions are clearly translated into actions, results and measurable progress.

Through this forward-looking, results-oriented approach, the Advisory Board will continue to act as a strategic driver for better, faster and more sustainable career pathways for PhD holders beyond academia.

Board Structure and Composition

Balanced Representation: A balanced representation from both academia and industry will be ensured, aiming for a broad representation of various labour market sectors, with a balance between large and small companies/organisations, between start-ups/scale-ups and established companies, between the private sector and non-profit organisations and government institutions. The Advisory Board consists of at least 10 effective representatives and 10 deputees representing the labour market, and 5 effective representatives and 5 deputees representing the 5 Flemish universities.  The members representing the Flemish universities are delegated from the PhD Talent Coordination Team.

Membership Criteria: The Advisory Board will be composed of representatives of companies, organisations, authorities that are experts in the field of PhD talent acquisition, and/or want to contribute to a better and faster flow of PhD holders to the external labour market.

Member Responsibilities: The board members are expected to participate in meetings, have an active contribution to in-depth discussions during the meetings, and follow-up on action items in between the meetings

Term Limits: Members are appointed for a term of two years with the possibility of reappointment. Their mandate is unpaid. Each member is of course free to withdraw from the advisory council at any time. The withdrawing member is preferably replaced by his/her deputy.

Are you/your organisation interested in joining?

Please fill in the following form.

Or do you want to know more? Please get in touch at: phdtalent@vlir.be