Research careers

8 min

Chiat Cheong

Ralph Rousseau Meulenbroeks

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About this video

As an early career researcher, or someone in the final stages of their PhD, a perennial question on one’s mind is “what’s next?”. This question, while completely natural, can cause anxiety, stress, and doubt.

In this webinar, experts break down myths, expectations and approaches to finding the right research career. Chiat Cheong and Ralph Meulenbroeks discuss research career options outside of academia, provide a strategy for targeted career orientation, and help you identify the positions that suit you, giving you fulfilment in your work.

You will come away with awareness of the professional value of your PhD, knowledge of opportunities which exist for PhD graduates, ways of finding your intrinsic motivation, and strategies of identifying jobs that suit you.

About the presenters

Chiat Cheong

Founder Qia Consultancy & Training and Policy Advisor at the University of Amsterdam.

Chiat is scientist by training. She spent the first 11 years of her career in academic research, in the field of cancer gene therapy. When academia could no longer provide her what she looked for in a career, she changed her professional focus. Since 2009 she supports scientists in career orientation, benefitting from her research background and the struggles in career transition she went through herself. In 2016 she established Qia Consultancy & Training to provide consultancy to research organizations in the set-up of PhD programmes for career orientation. She also runs trainings, workshops and offers individual coaching. She provides structure and guidance in identifying opportunities where one can both make the most of their PhD Power and find job fulfilment.

Ralph Rousseau Meulenbroeks

Assistant professor science education at Utrecht University, motivational speaker, professional musician

Ralph Rousseau Meulenbroeks holds a PhD in physics and graduated cum laude in the fields of physics, music (viola da gamba), and science education. He has been a soloist with major orchestras such as the Concertgebouw Orchestra and was employed in fusion physics research, but he also worked as a high school physics teacher. He currently combines an assistant professorship at Utrecht University (educational sciences) with his activities in music and motivational speaking. His prime interest is intrinsic motivation. In workshops and lectures, he invites highly educated professionals to get into contact with their true driving forces, empowering them to find fulfilling careers. Together with Chiat Cheong, he is hosting a series of retreats designed to do just that.