Creating opportunities
PhD Society Leuven is an association for all PhD researchers and postdocs at KU Leuven. We are dedicated to help young researchers extend their international network beyond their circle of friends and the borders of their respective research unit. We provide various opportunities to young academics to further develop their professional and social skills in a dynamic, international environment complementary to their academic endeavors. These goals are met by organizing social, academic and career-related events by researchers for their fellow colleagues. These are the 3 pillars ā the heart ā of PhD Society.
3 Pillars
Meet the team
![picture_Mathias picture_Mathias](https://phdsociety.be/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/picture_Mathias-399x399.jpg)
Mathias Schroijen
President
Passionate about scientistās role in society and in particular the challenges and innovation opportunities that lay ahead of us, I joined PhD Society. Through community building and grassroots initiatives I wish that we can inspire PhD candidates in proactively navigating their professional development and the creation of future career opportunities.
![Naina Naina](https://phdsociety.be/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Naina-332x332.jpg)
Naina Goel
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![PHOTO-2020-11-02-23-01-14 2 PHOTO-2020-11-02-23-01-14 2](https://phdsociety.be/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/PHOTO-2020-11-02-23-01-14-2-631x631.png)
Bram Pussig
Co-chair academic pillarĀ /Ā webmaster
Personal and professional development are cornerstones during your PhD. The PhD society aims to facilitate this by working together and sharing experiences with peers. As co-chair of the academic pillar I want to help future PhD holders in the search of their skills. Together we can make a difference!
![reis 2019-1-47 (1)](https://phdsociety.be/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/reis-2019-1-47-1.jpg)
Ana Barbosa Mendes
Co-chair academic pillar
I joined the PhD Society as a board member because I am passionate about contributing to the training of early-career researchers and helping them develop the skills to navigate academia and make a difference in science and society.
![luka luka](https://phdsociety.be/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/luka-690x690.png)
Luka Svet
Chair career pillar
My main motivation to join the PhD Society and to particularly invest myself into the Career Pillar was the desire to facilitate and improve the connection between the academia and the business sector, while at the same time help young researchers to capitalize on this connection.
![shutterstock_1077839366_LR shutterstock_1077839366_LR](https://phdsociety.be/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/shutterstock_1077839366_LR-450x450.jpg)
Thomas Dierckx
Chair social pillar
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![Matthias BoĢnisch_smaller-2 Matthias BoĢnisch_smaller-2](https://phdsociety.be/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Matthias-BoĢnisch_smaller-2-810x810.jpg)
Matthias Bƶnisch
Chair post-doc team
Matthias works as FWO postdoctoral fellow at the Department of Materials Engineering in Leuven and joined the postdoc team of PhD Society in early 2019. Having studied and worked as researcher in 5 different countries he is familiar with the challenges and excitement international mobility brings. As a member of the postdoc team he is involved in postdoc-related policy and career development.
![shutterstock_1077839366_LR shutterstock_1077839366_LR](https://phdsociety.be/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/shutterstock_1077839366_LR-450x450.jpg)
Mattia ferraiolo
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![shutterstock_1077839366_LR shutterstock_1077839366_LR](https://phdsociety.be/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/shutterstock_1077839366_LR-450x450.jpg)
Diederik Mark Deceuster
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