Below you will find an overview of training opportunities for postdocs by the UAntwerp offices, departments and central services:
- E-learning
- Talent Center
- Research, Innovation & Valorisation Antwerp (RIVA)
- Science for everyone
- Other useful training opportunities
E-learning
As a postdoctoral researcher at UAntwerp, you have access to several online training platforms. These courses can be completed online, at your own pace:
- A toolkit for entrepreneurial minds: the basics of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Valorisation: Discover the essentials of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) and Valorisation in this self-study course, developed in collaboration between experts of the Campus Development Office, the Valorisation Office and the Department of Education. Through six chapters, you will learn the basics of IPR, patents, and the valorisation process. If you are looking for a comprehensive introduction, this course is perfect for you. You can access the course via BlackBoard after log-in or search for UA_IPREAC.
- Nature Masterclasses online platform
- OASE online knowledge platform to improve your ICT skills (Pintra login)
- Online language platform Altissia (Pintra login)
- Mind the GAP online training tool on research integrity
Talent Center
The Talent Center of the HR Department supports and encourages early-career researchers (such as postdocs) in the pro-active management of their (future) career. For this purpose, the Talent Center offers a variety of tailor-made activities and trainings. The training programme includes topics such as career development, project management, applying for (non-)academic jobs, networking, research communication, stress resilience etc.
In addition, make sure to check out their career related events and networking initiatives, such as mentoring and the Postdoc Community which you can join on Linkedin.
Research, Innovation & Valorisation Antwerp (RIVA)
Dive-into training programme
Research, Innovation & Valorisation Antwerp (RIVA) organizes various information sessions and trainings for postdocs and other target groups, of which you can find an overview at Pintra (after login). Here you will find a comprehensive training and support programme with two major pillars: "Dive-into-Projects" and “Dive-into-Business”. There are three different types of training within each pillar: basics, trajectories and trainings on request.
Dive-into-Projects
The “Dive-into-Projects” pillar includes basic training on research and proposal writing, as well as specific courses, workshops and guidance (Deep Dive-into-Projects).
The basic cycle consists of informative sessions on general research topics or courses on project writing. These are short, but powerful sessions that provide you with the necessary general insights in a few hours. This includes sessions about generic project writing, publishing, data management, BOF funding, Open Science etc.
Trajectories consist of a number of connected training sessions and services related to a specific funding scheme (personal grants or projects) and advice or support for this. This includes sessions about FWO fellowships, Horizon Europe MSCA Fellowships, Horizon Europe ERC Grants, VLAIO Mandates etc. These sessions run over several days and in different phases.
On request provides ‘off the shelf’ specific information and support sessions or workshops which can be organized upon request of a group of researchers (e.g. within the context of a research group, department, faculty initiative). The researcher chooses the theme and initiates and organizes the meeting.
Dive-into-Business
The “Dive-into-Business” pillar focuses on the creation of impact through the valorisation of research. Within this pillar, the “Dive-into-intellectual-Property” is created for those who aim to strengthen their knowledge related to Intellectual Property, their associated Rights, and the use of Intellectual Property for creating impact on society.
The basic cycle offers information or general, generic topics or courses on Business. This includes sessions about starting your spin-off idea, IOF POC Projects/Service platforms, funding channels for collaboration with companies etc.
Trajectories consist of a number of connected training sessions and services. This includes VLAIO Baekeland Mandates and VLAIO Innovation Mandates. These sessions run over several days and in different phases. Spin-off teams in the making can participate in the 7-days intensive Deep Dive-into-Business training programme
On request provides very specific topic-wise, specialised off-the-shelf material or aimed at a very precise target group.
Antwerp Doctoral School
The course offer from the Antwerp Doctoral School is initially reserved for PhD researchers. If you’re interested in one of these course topics and you don’t find a related course in the offer for postdocs, you can contact the Antwerp Doctoral School to check if there are still spots available.
In addition, the Antwerp Doctoral School launches a call (OJO call) every autumn, via email, to submit proposals for initiatives that address training needs and support of young researchers (PhD and postdoctoral researchers). Proposals can be submitted in the following categories:
Interuniversity initiatives
Domain-specific training
Initiatives focused on career development
International research visits
Faculty initiatives
The OJO call is tied to the calendar year. Funding applications can be submitted for activities that take place between 1 January and 31 December of the following calendar year.
More information about the OJO call
Contact: DoctoralSchool@uantwerpen.be
Science for everyone
The University of Antwerp attaches particular importance to training through lectures and other popularizing activities for a broad audience. A mission that involves all its scientists. As a postdoctoral researcher, you can participate in the following initiatives from Science for everyone, offered by team Science Communication:
- PRESS>SPEAK science communication competition (currently only in Dutch)
- PRESS>SPEAK>Inspire networking and inspiration event (currently only in Dutch)
- Let's Talk Science event
Are you thinking about initiating a science communication activity or do you want to consolidate an existing one? To encourage science communication initiatives, the Board of Services to the University and Community provides the opportunity to apply for a small financial grant. This grant is awarded once for a specific purpose. Some examples of purposes for which funding was granted:
Costs of participating in an external event
Purchase of audiovisual material
Purchase of (educational) demonstration or decoration material
Server costs for a website
Software license
Reimbursement of a student worker
Design or production costs of a visual, website etc.
Consult the conditions and procedure on Pintra (currently only in Dutch).
Contact: wetenschapscommunicatie@uantwerpen.be
Other useful training opportunities
Other departments and central services of the University of Antwerp also offer various training opportunities. Would you like to know more about their offer? Click on the titles below to find out more about:
- Lecturer training (ECHO): for postdocs who are fully responsible for their teaching assignments
- Assistant training (ECHO): for postdocs who play purely a supportive role in teaching assignments
- Training on wellbeing topics (health and safety at work) (Pintra login)
For language training, take a look at:
- Online language platform Altissia (Pintra login)
- Linguapolis language institute (paid service, special rates for UAntwerp staff)