3rd year PhD interview – edition 2026
Each year EPS invites all EPS PhD candidates in their 3rd year (or 3rd year equivalent) for a PhD interview.
The purpose of the personal interview is twofold, namely 1) for the graduate school to get feedback about the PhD experience from the PhD candidates, and 2) to help the PhD candidate to reflect on the planning of and the priorities for the remaining PhD project time with somebody from outside the supervisory team.
Homework beforehand will be to send in an updated training overview and an outline of the (planned) thesis content.
After a call to indicate interest for an interview, the personal interviews will be arranged in the summer period (dates depending on availability of the interviewers). The interested PhD candidates will be matched with an EPS research theme coordinator, a member of the EPS Educational Committee, or the EPS director. The interviews will last about 30 minutes and will, in principle, be hosted at the location of the interviewer (unless it is necessary to do it online).
Detailed information about the whole procedure will be sent to the interested PhD candidates that respond to the call to declare their interest in an interview.
Quotes from PhD candidates that had a 3rd year PhD interview in 2025:
“It was great to summarize the journey over the past 2.5 years, and to reflect on the outcomes of my PhD so far. This opportunity during the 3rd year PhD interview is quite unique in that sense.”
“Preparing for the third-year interview really helped me see how far I’ve come and where I want to go next. It was challenging but worth it.”
“It is really quite informative to have a detailed discussion about your PhD with someone that has an outside perspective.”
“It felt less like an interview and more like a wake-up call, a reminder to prioritize what truly matters in order to finish the thesis on time.”