Shaping the Future of Doctoral Education: Key Insights from the ORPHEUS Workshop

Beyond the PhD: Educating Talent for Society

One of the most eye-opening discussions centered around the real career trajectories of PhD graduates. A common assumption is that PhD training primarily prepares candidates for academic careers. However, data from various countries show that only around 5% of PhD graduates secure permanent positions at the same university where they completed their doctorate—a number that is even lower in Western and Northern Europe. This underscores a crucial reality: doctoral education is not just about training future professors, but about developing highly skilled professionals who drive the knowledge economy.

Notably, there is no unemployment among PhD holders, yet disparities remain. A key concern raised during the workshop was the gender pay gap among PhD graduates, which is even larger than among master’s degree holders. While the skills and intelligence of female researchers are undeniable, the structural inequalities in career advancement still persist, highlighting the need for continued efforts toward equity in research careers.

What Skills Are Missing in Traditional PhD Training?

While PhD programs have traditionally focused on developing expertise in a specific research area, the workshop identified critical skills that are often underdeveloped in old-fashioned doctoral training:

• Communication skills – the ability to present research effectively to diverse audiences
• Management skills – organizing research projects and teams
• Personal effectiveness – self-motivation and resilience in the face of academic challenges
• Teamwork and collaboration – working effectively across disciplines and sectors

These skills are not just "nice to have"—they are essential whether a PhD graduate stays in academia, moves to industry, or starts their own company.

The Role of Doctoral Schools: More Than Just Research

Modern doctoral education goes beyond individual research projects. ORPHEUS experts emphasized that a well-rounded PhD training should include:

• Thematic research training – deepening subject-specific knowledge
• Transferable skills training – equipping candidates with communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities
• Career development support – preparing students for diverse career paths, inside and outside academia

One interesting takeaway from the workshop was the discussion on joint and double doctorates, which offer PhD students valuable international exposure. However, while some countries provide financial incentives for these programs, they often come with a heavy administrative burden that institutions must navigate.

What Makes a PhD Thesis "Good Enough"?

Another important debate revolved around the number of publications required for PhD graduation. Some universities set strict requirements, while others focus on quality over quantity. The consensus? One strong, high-impact publication is better than multiple low-quality papers.

The discussion also touched upon the role of PhD candidates as first or corresponding authors. While many institutions require first authorship, the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis emphasized the importance of teaching candidates the responsibilities of corresponding authorship—a crucial skill in academic publishing.

Challenges and Innovations in Publishing

A recurring challenge in PhD research is the slow publication process, with peer reviews often delaying important findings. The workshop explored alternative models, such as:

• Preprint platforms (e.g., bioRxiv) – enabling faster dissemination of research
• eLife’s post-publication peer review – where research is published first and reviewed afterward

While peer review remains a key quality control mechanism, the group acknowledged that in many cases, published research changes very little after the review process, raising questions about how to balance quality assurance with timely dissemination.

How Can We Evaluate PhD Students Beyond Publications?

Leading institutions are increasingly moving toward holistic assessment methods. A strong example is KU Leuven, which combines formative and summative assessments through yearly in-person meetings. Another innovative approach is pre-defense evaluations in the third year, allowing PhD candidates to receive structured feedback before their final defense.

Semmelweis University was highlighted for its structured progress reports, which not only track research milestones but also include skills development, ensuring that candidates build competencies beyond just their research outputs.

The Role of AI in Doctoral Education

Generative AI is an emerging topic in academia, yet many universities still lack clear policies on its use in research and writing. The Karolinska Institute has taken a proactive approach, developing guidelines that they have shared with KU Leuven and Alliance4Life partners as a model for responsible AI usage in doctoral training.

Improving Supervision: The Key to PhD Success

The workshop reinforced a fundamental truth: the quality of PhD supervision has the greatest impact on student success. However, having a PhD does not automatically make someone a good supervisor. Professional development for PhD supervisors is essential but often neglected.

The Future of Doctoral Education

The workshop concluded with a discussion on modernizing doctoral training. Key trends include:

• International exposure – through mobility, joint degrees, and collaborative projects
• Narrative CVs – shifting from publication-based assessment to qualitative achievements
• Lifelong learning for supervisors – embedding professional development into university culture

Doctoral education is no longer just about research—it’s about training innovative, critical thinkers who will shape the future. The shift from a research-centric to a candidate-centric model ensures that PhD graduates are not only excellent scientists but also well-equipped professionals ready to make a global impact.

Final Thoughts

The ORPHEUS workshop provided invaluable insights into the evolving landscape of doctoral education. As institutions across Alliance4Life strive to improve PhD training, these best practices can help shape policies, enhance supervision, and ultimately prepare PhD graduates for diverse and successful careers.

To stay updated on the latest developments in doctoral education best practices, check out ORPHEUS resources.