1. Ph.D. in Informatics Dept. of Mathematics - Computer Science University of Antwerp - Belgium October 2008

2. 2/11 Science vs. Engineering Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes. (E. Dijkstra) Computer science Computer engineering Informatics We study human artefacts All science is either physics or stamp collecting (E. Rutherford)

3. 3/11 What is a Ph.D. ? The candidate has to prove that he or she is able to autonomously carry out original scientific research and to report on this both in writing and in speaking. (Regulations and administrative procedure for obtaining the academic degree of doctor at the UA) -ORIGINAL -SCIENTIFIC -AUTONOMOUSLY -REPORTING

4. 4/11 Profile of a PhD student (1/2) ORIGINAL -2% of inspiration, 98% of transpiration -convince an international jury SCIENTIFIC -I.e. using the “Scientific method” collection of data through observation and experimentation, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses. (wikipedia) -Thinking Analytically (focus on detail, whole > sum of parts) Critically (no “beliefs”) Constructively (solution oriented)

5. 5/11 Profile of a PhD student (2/2) AUTONOMOUSLY -You take the initiative Plan the work and work the plan Very difficult due to high degree of uncertainty -“a Ph.d. is a permanent state of identity crisis” REPORTING -Very good writing skills -Reasonably good “presentation” skills Elevator pitch, 20 minute scientific presentations 45 minute ph.d. presentation -Scientific publications Papers and presentations at workshops & conferences Papers in journals

6. 6/11 Why a Ph.D. ? A ph.d. is not a goal in itself … -but a means to achieve a goal for your life What’s you ambition ? -Pursuing knowledge -International community -Obtaining self-confidence -Contributing to mankind -… -Have fun !

7. 7/11 Career Paths Academic -Ph.d. student -Post-doc -Professor Requires mobility ! Industry -Ph.d. student -(post-doc) -R&D department -Architect -… Not easy to convince HR department -But feasable

8. 8/11 Research Spectrum IWT & EU – Basic Research  Research grants (pre-doc, post-doc)  SBO, GBOU, … FUNDAMENTALAPPLIED FWO & BELSPO  Research grants (pre-doc, post-doc)  Research projects UNIVERSITY  Teaching assistants  (Back-up) grants IWT & EU — R & D  Industrial Research SME program !  Eureka (European)  … Industrial R & D  Direct sponsoring

9. 9/11 Grants FWO-grant -“Aspirant” -For “the best” Highest distinction Purely written procedure -Submit grant-propsal february, 1rst -Start 1rst of october IWT-grant -“Specialisatiebeurs” -For “the rest” Good study-results Defend for a jury -Submit grant-proposal september 15th -Start 1rst of january or 1rst of october Back-up funding needed University of Antwerp provides back-up grants !

10. 10/11 Official Status Scholar -You are a student 2 for the price of 1 ! Pension, health insurance, … is covered -No taxes -Holiday as you please Employee -You are an employee More expensive After 6 months of service you cannot go back to “Scholar” -Taxes -“Official” holiday rules

11. 11/11 Options within FOTS/LORE MoVES -National research network -Models !! MDE Mining software repositories Refactoring, restructuring, … FWO project -Modelling of user-interfaces -Modelling of embedded systems (MPoCs) -Aspect-oriented development Industrial Sponsors -Alcatel Tooling (fetch) -4dvision.be Rearchitect code generation tool