Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) PhD application
Find all your answers here.
Application & topics
Can I apply for more than one topic?
You can apply for only one topic (first choice for evaluation). You may indicate one additional topic as a back-up topic choice in the same application. Please do not submit a separate application for your second-choice topic. Multiple applications are not permitted and will result in all submitted applications being excluded from the selection process. Considering your application for interview stage will be at the discretion of the selection committee.
Can I apply with different mail addresses?
No, this is not accepted and all applications will be invalid. (see also change topic choice)
Can I reapply for a topic after I applied in a previous call?
It is not recommended to reapply for a topic that you chose in a previous application window, unless you were explicitly invited to do so by the selection committee.
Can I change my topic choice(s) after submitting my application?
Once you submit your application – no further changes are possible. Only in very exceptional circumstances may a change request be considered. Such requests will first be reviewed by the Admissions Office and will only be accepted if deemed justified.
Application documents
I have a Bachelor’s degree, can I apply without a Master’s degree?
For your application to be considered for doctoral research at imec you need to obtain a Master’s degree or currently be enrolled in a Master’s program. A 120 ECTS Master’s degree is a prerequisite for every PhD application (even if you have multiple years of experience). It is a general rule of admission to the university on which we cannot make any exceptions.
I’m in the final year of my Master’s degree, can I apply or do I need to wait until I have obtained my degree?
Yes. You can apply if you are currently enrolled in a Master’s programme, even if you have not yet obtained your Master’s degree at the time of application. However, you must have obtained your Master’s degree by the effective start date of the PhD programme. If you have not obtained your degree by that date, your application will be withdrawn.
Do I need to provide my thesis abstract/research papers/publications...?
Uploading of publications, abstracts, writing samples,... is not accepted in the current step of the application process. However, should you be invited for an interview, you can always provide these to the interviewers beforehand. A link in your resume could be an option if you would already like to include them in your application, but don’t add the separate documents in your application.
Do I need to provide proof of English proficiency if the medium of instruction of my Master’s degree is English?
If the medium of instruction of your Master’s degree was English, there’s no need to provide an English test result. However, if this is not clearly mentioned on your master’s transcript, it’s required to provide a document from your university that can confirm this. Usually, universities can provide this kind of statement rather easily. As an alternative, you can also provide a PDF document containing a screenshot from the website of your Master’s institution, if it is clearly mentioned there (for your specific Master’s degree).
Do I need to provide proof of English proficiency, if I work(ed) at imec?
Yes. Current or previous experience at imec does not exempt you from this requirement. The only exemption is if your Master’s degree was taught in English, kindly check the FAQ for this exemption.
Deadlines
The deadline for submitting your application is December 2nd at 13:00 CET. By that time, all required documents must be included. No additional documents or reference letters will be accepted after the deadline.
A recommendation letter is mandatory in support of your application. Your referees will be given a deadline to submit their recommendation letters (close of the call + 3 days). Please note that the recommendation letter template will only become available once you have completed the final submission of your application. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to inform your referees in advance. The timing of your application affects how much time your referees have to submit their letters. The closer you apply to the application deadline, the less time your referees will have to do so. Recommendation letters received after the deadline will not be considered.
When do I receive the instructions for the recommendation letter via e-mail?
Once you submit your application, you will automatically receive an e-mail providing instructions on how to upload your referee for the recommendation letter.
Starting as a PhD student at imec
What is the amount of the scholarship for PhD's?
The PhD scholarship will be financed by imec and is paid via the university. This scholarship is to cover living expenses, housing, health insurance, and student registration. As a PhD student, you are registered as a student, you can benefit from the advantages the university offers to its students (as we collaborate with different universities this can differ a little bit from university to university). We can not provide specific scholarship amounts beforehand, as this depends on your personal situation (e.g. marital status). Kindly consult the information on the university’s website if you wish to have a first indication.
If I accept a PhD offer, what will be my starting date?
After accepting the offer, your application will be submitted to the University Doctoral School for final approval. It is important to know that procedure times at the university can take up time as they are considering several applications. Imec will initiate the University Doctoral School procedure after you accept the offer, but take into account that you can’t start your PhD project before you have officially obtained your Master’s degree. Further, your starting date will depend on your personal situation as well as the team’s availability. If you need a visa, then be aware that this also might cause a delay of some weeks/months. Your starting date will always be discussed between you and the team you’ll start working with, so your availability will be considered as well.
Did you not find the answer you were looking for? Feel free to reach out at phd@imec.be