What career paths are available outside academia after a PhD? PhD graduates share their experiences – Louvain-la-Neuve – 26 May 2026

The Observatory for Research and Scientific Careers (ORCS), a unit within the F.R.S.-FNRS, has shown that the precarious nature of postdoctoral contracts and the limited prospects for a long-term academic career are driving a number of PhD holders to leave academia in search of career opportunities elsewhere, resulting in a wide variety of career paths following the completion of their thesis (ORCS, Professional situation of PhD holders in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, June 2019).

Whilst looking for a job outside academia is not necessarily the most difficult task (low unemployment rates and a short period between completing the thesis and securing the first post-thesis job for the majority of PhD holders), it is natural to wonder about professional opportunities after a PhD outside the academic world.

On 26 May 2026, an inter-university afternoon event invites you to discover the diversity of possible career paths and to gain a better understanding of the realities of the job market, through the testimonies of former PhD students who have chosen a non-academic career.

Following an introduction by members of AKT, participants will be invited to talk to former PhD students who have chosen a non-academic career path. These round-table discussions will be organised by subject area, allowing each researcher to take part in discussions relevant to their discipline. The discussions will be held in French and English.

Registration here.

Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact the following person : murielle.guillaume@unamur.be