PhD Induction Days 2026: Welcoming the next generation of researchers

In March, the University of Luxembourg welcomed close to 120 new doctoral candidates for its PhD Induction Days. The induction days is a collaborative effort between the doctoral schools at the University of Luxembourg, centred on academic guidance, skills development, and networking opportunities.

This three-day event brought together all Uni.lu doctoral schools to provide essential guidance, practical tools, and networking opportunities—ensuring that new researchers begin their doctoral journey under the best possible conditions.

A strong start at Belval Campus

After a welcome session led by Prof. Stephanie Kreis, participants were guided through key aspects of the doctoral journey, including the PhD lifecycle, transferable skills, and practice-oriented advice on starting research.

The morning also featured a valuable peer exchange session, where new doctoral candidates had the opportunity to engage directly with current young researchers. Presentations from student services further highlighted the range of support available.

In the afternoon, a networking event brought together participants connected with representatives from Luxembourg’s research institutes – the National Research Fund (FNR) as well as research institutes LIH, LISER & LIST.

Building core academic and professional skills

To strengthen key competencies essential for academic and professional success, participants attended hands-on interactive workshops on:

Teaching skills, preparing them for their role in education
Presentation skills, helping them communicate research effectively

Ethics, integrity, and responsible research

The final day placed emphasis on research integrity and responsible conduct.

Sessions covered crucial topics such as:

Good scientific practice and Ethics in research (including a dedicated panel discussion)
Data protection and research data management
Open science and intellectual property

These sessions highlighted the importance of conducting research that is not only innovative, but also ethical, transparent, and compliant with international standards.