Offboarding

Offboarding

Since a postdoctoral position is by definition temporary, your role as a postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University will eventually come to an end - regardless of the career path you choose next.

At present, there is no official offboarding policy for postdoctoral researchers at Ghent University, although one is currently being developed for doctoral researchers.

That said, we strongly encourage you to share your experiences when you leave Ghent University. The purpose of offboarding is to gather qualitative feedback on how postdoctoral researchers have experienced their time here. This is in line with Ghent University’s open feedback culture and our ongoing efforts to strengthen the postdoctoral framework.

Naturally, your direct supervisor or department chair are your primary contacts for sharing feedback, but you are also very welcome at the Postdoc Career Hub. If you prefer, we can arrange for the conversation to take place anonymously, upon your request.

Job Offers

Support for international staff

The International Staff Office (employees only) provides guidance on Single Permit applications, onboarding, offboarding and counselling for work-related travel abroad. The office also offers an informative session, titled “Navigating Belgium’s Rights to Work and Live: A Comprehensive Overview for International Job Seekers” (employees only), which helps you understand the essentials of working and living in Flanders.

Dutch and your career in Flanders

Whether you aspire to an academic career in Flanders or plan to work outside academia, learning Dutch is essential. Even in companies where English is the main working language, a basic knowledge of Dutch is often expected or professors, reaching B2 level within five years is mandatory.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you can take Dutch language courses at a reduced fee at the University Language Center UCT. However, Ghent University considers learning Dutch to be the individual responsibility of each postdoc.

More info: 

• Language Knowledge (intranet, for employees only)
• Get integrated and learn Dutch: In order to achieve a fully successful integration, it is important that you feel included in the wider Ghent University community outside of the immediate work environment. Ghent University regularly organizes institution-wide activities to bring international staff together.
• Following language classes
• Overview of the institutions providing Dutch language courses
• Proof through a language test
• ITNA test, which assesses whether candidates have reached the B2 or C1 level of the European Common Framework of Reference for Foreign Languages (CEFR), which are the levels most commonly required for higher education in Flanders.
• ITACE test: this Interuniversity Test of Academic English (ITACE) was developed and is administered by the four Flemish university language centres belonging to UGent, KUL, UA and VUB. The test comes in three variants (lecturers, students, CLIL Teachers).
• IUTC: The Interuniversity Testing Consortium (IUTC) is composed of several test experts working at different university language centers in Flanders.
• Towards a coherent integration program
• Language requirements
• For lecturers: Professors and educational staff teaching courses in English must have CEFR C1-level proficiency in this language. Those teaching in Dutch must also have CEFR C1-level proficiency in this language. The required C1 level of English or Dutch (or other languages in case of teaching in that language) must be obtained BEFORE the course is taught.
• Let's talk is a language and networking event where you practice languages with colleagues in a relaxed way. (intranet, for employees only)
• Working in Belgium

Stay in touch!

Alumni

Infinitum is Ghent University’s official alumni platform — a vibrant network connecting graduates across disciplines and borders. Through Infinitum, you can connect with fellow alumni by study programme, faculty, location, or shared interests. You’ll also find information on alumni events organized by associations and the central or international alumni office. The platform gives you access to the UGent Career Center, where you can explore job opportunities or post vacancies of your own.

Ghent University is committed to maintaining and strengthening its ties with international alumni. We warmly invite all graduates living abroad to stay connected and get involved. Curious to know why our alumni matter so much to us? Read the article “Connected to Ghent University for life”.

Regional Platforms

Ghent University continues to invest in long-term cooperation with key regions and countries that show strong growth potential. Our regional platforms provide advice, support, and facilities to help members of the Ghent University community establish or expand partnerships in six strategic regions.