The DocTalent4EU final conference brought together policymakers, higher education leaders, industry stakeholders, and PhD candidates to explore the evolving landscape of doctoral education in Europe. The event, packed with insightful discussions and interactive sessions, emphasised the urgent need to modernise doctoral training, strengthen industry-academia collaboration, and enhance PhD candidates’ career prospects.
A Call for Reform in Doctoral Education
In his keynote speech, Prof. Manuel Heitor (Instituto Superior Técnico, former Minister for Science, Technology, and Higher Education of Portugal) set the tone for the conference by emphasising the urgent need for doctoral education reform. He stressed that Europe must continuously modernise training to remain globally competitive, advocating for systemic changes to accelerate funding, embrace risk-taking, and establish more stable career pathways for researchers.
A key theme was the “Choose Europe” initiative, which seeks to counteract brain drain by fostering stronger research careers and increasing long-term opportunities for PhD graduates.
Building Bridges Between Skills and Credentials
A critical roundtable discussion explored the alignment between PhD training, real-world skills, and their recognition in the job market. Panelists highlighted the growing importance of transversal skills—such as negotiation, teamwork, and leadership—which are often overlooked in traditional doctoral education. These skills were at the core of the three courses developed by the DocTalent4EU consortium.
Despite their expertise, PhD graduates still face challenges in industry recognition. “Most HR recruiters don’t know what a PhD is,” noted Sophie Bouccara (AdHoc Talent Management, SECURE project partner). “Our role is to help them see that PhD candidates are a solution for companies adapting to future challenges.”
With only 3% of PhDs securing permanent academic jobs, panellists emphasised the importance of transferable skills and the DocTalent4EU courses in expanding career opportunities beyond academia. European Digital Credentials, piloted as part of the DocTalent4EU project, were identified as a promising tool for validating skills, though awareness and adoption remain inconsistent across countries.
Engaging Non-Academic Stakeholders in Doctoral Talent Development
Panellists during the roundtable “Engaging Non-Academic Stakeholders in Doctoral Talent Development”
A second roundtable focused on strengthening academia-industry engagement. The discussion underscored the disconnect between the two sectors, and the need for better communication in making PhDs more visible and valued outside the academic sphere. Several speakers pointed out that many PhD graduates are forced to start in industry as trainees, often competing with master’s graduates for entry-level positions.
Industry representatives noted that decision-making in business is fast-paced, requiring researchers to adapt. Two panellists argued that PhD holders offer valuable analytical skills, but companies don’t always recognise their potential.
Showcasing Best Practices in Talent Management
A live exhibition of Talent Management Centres (TMCs) provided a hands-on opportunity to explore institutional approaches to career development support. Three TMCs presented their models, offering insights into career portfolio management, institutional implementation, and lessons learned.
Workshops on Digital Credentials and Talent Management
Workshop “Designing Impactful Talent Management Programmes”
Before the closing session, participants had the chance to delve deeper into two critical topics in dedicated workshops:
One session focused on the implementation of digital credentials, exploring their role in recognising and verifying doctoral skills (the complete setup guide is available here).
The second workshop examined how institutions can enhance their Talent Management Centres, ensuring that PhD candidates receive comprehensive career development support (download the resources here).
A Step Forward for Doctoral Talent Development
The DocTalent4EU final conference reaffirmed the importance of rethinking doctoral education in Europe. From enhancing skills training and credentials to strengthening industry engagement, the discussions underscored the need for an ecosystem that better supports PhD candidates’ career aspirations. As the academic and professional landscape continues to evolve, fostering a more integrated, skills-focused approach to doctoral training will be key to ensuring Europe remains a hub for research and innovation.
Workshop “Promoting Your Digital Credentials – Practical Strategies”
Live Exhibition – Talent Management Centres in Action
Closing Panel – Looking Ahead: Building Sustainable Talent Pipelines